Mombasa
Mombasa is a coastal city in the southeastern Kenya along the Indian Ocean. The town is known as the white and blue city in Kenya. It is also known as the country’s oldest (circa 900 AD) and the second-largest city after Nairobi city, with a population of about 1,208,333 people according to the 2019 census, it is a metropolitan region is the second-largest in the country. Mombasa’s location on the Indian Ocean made it a historical trading safari, and it has been controlled by many countries because of its strategic location.
Kenyan school history books place the founding of Mombasa as 900 A.D. It must have been already a prosperous trading town in the 12th century, as the Arab geographer al-ldrisi mentions it in 1151, the oldest stone mosque in Mombasa, Mnara was built C. 1300. The Mandhry Mosque built in 1570, has a minaret that contains a regionally specific ogee arch. In the late pre-colonial period, it was the metropolis of a plantation society, which became dependent on slave labour based around the ivory trade. Throughout the early modern period, Mombasa was a key node in the complex and far reaching Indian Ocean trading networks, its key exports then were ivory, millet sesamum and the coconuts.
Currently, Mombasa is such Kenya safari tourism based town, home to one of the state houses, with an extra-large port and an international airport.
Attractions in Mombasa.
Mombasa is the tourism destination with various attractions that gives the guests the best memories during their safari to the city, as the tourists from Europe and beyond flock here to enjoy many things to do from the dolphin spotting trips on traditional dhows and deep-sea fishing to diving and snorkeling the wrecks and reefs and the basking on the sun-splashed shores, but in the city itself, on the bustling island, a world of history and the culture awaits.
Fort Jesus.
Fort Jesus was built in 1593 to 1596 by the Portuguese, it is also known as the UNESCO World Heritage site and the major attraction in Mombasa, Italian architect Cairati designed the structure, which is one of the world’s finest examples of the 16th-century Portuguese military architecture. It is built in the shape of a man, the fort was given the name of Jesus as a clear religious reference. The fort changed hands nine times between 1631 and 1875 before finally resting with the British.
Fort Jesus has many battlements and ruined buildings within the compound like the Omani house, built in the late 18th century, which houses Omani jewelry and displays on Swahili life.
Haller Park.
Haller Park is most amazing for the animal lovers, formerly called Bamburi Nature Trail, which was known as the inspiration project in 1971.The Park was also home to a famous interspecies couple that became an internet sensation after the 130- year-old tortoise, Mzee, adopted Owen, an orphaned hippo. Dr Haller increased mineral content in the soil and planted many trees and created a wildlife park including the zebras, giraffes, waterbucks and many more, as well bird species were also introduced that are over 160 bird species including the cranes, pelicans and many others.
Mombasa Marine National Park.
Mombasa Marine National park protects the mangroves, sea grass beds, sandy beaches, coral reef, and snorkeling and diving are the major activities done especially at the north of Mombasa from Mtwapa Creek south to the entrance of Likoni. The beach safari well known that the tourists do enjoy from Mombasa includes the Nyali, Bamburi, and Shanzu as well they provide the access to the marine park.
North Coast Beaches.
North coast beaches are a little livelier than the south coast. Palm-lined shores, crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, and a profusion of the water sports, resorts, and the entertainment venues provide plenty of the tourism action. The resorts are also closer to the airport and Mombasa city.
Old Town.
On the southeast side of Mombasa lsland, the Old Town is reminiscent of the days when the Portuguese ruled this important port. The town’s inhabitants are mostly Arabs, Asian, and the European origin, and the architecture reflects their cultures.
South Coast Beaches.
The coastline south of Mombasa is a world of the natural beauty, turquoise seas lap the sun-bleached beaches, where the tourist sprawl under rustling palms. Rainforests with abundant wildlife and the birds skirt this idyllic stretch of the coast, and coral reefs protect the swimming areas from offshore swells, South coast beaches are among the most popular places to hang out in Mombasa including Tiwi beach and Diani beach.
Mombasa Tusks.
Mombasa Tusks are the famous land marks that can be sighted by the tourists on a safari to Mombasa these were built to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Mombasa in 1952.These are constructed in Aluminum, the tusks mark the entrance to the heart of the town where you will find most of the banks, shops and markets.
Mamba Village Centre.
The Mamba Village Centre is in Nyali which is well known as the East Africa’s largest crocodile farm, during a safari to the Mamba Village Centre you learn about the life cycle and the behavior of the fascinating amphibians as kids love the chance to hold a baby croc, and another highlight for the tourists is watching the crocodiles fighting for tasty morsels during feeding time. Mamba village also offers horseback riding and a botanical garden with an aquarium, the orchids and aquatic plants are the specialty, but the gardens also display carnivorous species.
Bombululu Workshops and Cultural Centre.
Bombululu workshops is the best area where you can buy things in Mombasa as well as supporting the disabled Kenyans on the other hand, also being in the cultural Centre during your Kenya safari you can enjoy the tribal dance performances and explore traditional homesteads found throughout Kenya.
During your time at the workshop, shopping is high on your agenda, you can visit the workshops and purchase handcraft souvenirs that includes the textiles, jewelry, wood carving, leather crafts and many more.
Mombasa Go-Kart.
Mombasa Go-Kart is a hit speedsters and it is for all ages. Zoom around the smooth concrete track in go-karts, bounce around on the off-road buggies, or learn to dig in a Bobcat excavator. After that all excitement you enjoy a snack at the family-friendly restaurant with the large playground and many more, Go-kart track is a floodlit at night.
Best time to visit Mombasa.
The rains are followed by the long dry seasons from July through October, which is the best time to visit Mombasa when combined with a Kenya safari tour as the sky has few, if any, clouds, and sunshine is abundant.
Where to stay in Mombasa.
There are a variety of the accommodation facilities for the guests who come to visit Mombasa destination that range from Budget, Mid-range and the luxury accommodations for the guests that includes Little Eden Nyali Mombasa, Sunny Beachfront Studio, Jumeirah Beachfront, Severine sea lodge, Pridelnn Paradise Beach Resort and Spa Mombasa, Bahari Beach Hotel, Sarova White sands Beach Resort and Spa, Pridelnn Flamingo Beach Resort and Spa and many more.
