Mombasa has so much more on offer to explore than its rich history and culture. It also boasts magnificent beaches, wildlife attractions, and vibrant nightlife.
Let’s explore the 15 best things to see in Mombasa, Kenya.
1. Join the Old Town Walking Tour
Exploring Mombasa Old Town is
the best way to start your trip along the coast. It gives you a glimpse of how
different cultures have lived harmoniously on the island for ages.
You’ll spot old buildings along the narrow alleys reflecting
the inhabitants’ rich heritage – locals, Arabs, Asians, and Europeans. With
fine curved doors and beautiful balconies, the old houses symbolize rich
history and architecture.
During the stroll, you’ll see the Old Post Office,
Africa Hotel, and more interesting sites. Make sure you walk along the main
street (Ndia Kuu).
You don’t need a guide to explore Mombasa Old Town.
2. Explore Nyali Beach (One of the Best Places to Visit in
Mombasa)
I was born and raised in the Kenyan hinterland, where the
sunset is ever beautiful. Now I live close to Laikipia
Plateau, and not a week goes by without me seeing free-roaming wildlife.
What I don’t experience often is sandy beaches and the sound of breaking waves.
If you’re like me and love the ocean, there’s no better place for a coastal experience than Nyali Beach. The beach is close to Mombasa and offers a serene environment for relaxation. Besides walking along the beach, you can go surfing, swimming, and sunbathing at Nyali Beach.
The beach is clean, less crowded, and scenic. It also hosts
several beach resorts and hotels, restaurants, and bars for more
enjoyment.
3. Have a Street Food Experience
The Swahili cuisine is a beautiful blend of different
cultures that live along the Kenyan coast. It includes local, Arabic, European,
and Indian influences. Trips to Mombasa are made all the better when you sample
the local Swahili food.
A typical Swahili dish consists of rice and various spices,
like cloves and coriander. The rice is prepared with different ingredients such
as fish, chicken, and beef to make the dish delicious.
If you like trying local cuisines, make sure you try pilau
(spiced rice) or wali wa nazi (rice cooked in coconut milk).
I particularly love eating at the Mombasa Dishes.
They serve delicious Swahili meals at affordable prices (starting at $5). Other
good restaurants
in Mombasa include Barka, Forodhani, and Char-Choma.
4. Learn to Cook a Swahili Meal
It’s one thing to eat a local meal, but another experience
entirely to prepare one for yourself. If you’d like to get busy in the kitchen
and cook your favorite Swahili dish, join this cooking
experience.
You’ll visit a local market to shop for ingredients and
prepare the dish. This is also a great opportunity to learn about the Swahili
culture from your local guide.
5. Visit Fort Jesus Museum
A guided tour of Fort Jesus Museum is highly recommended. The museum is located in the Old Town and was built between 1593 and 1596 as a Portuguese fort to guard the Old Port of Mombasa.
Gaspar Rodrigues used the designs of Giovanni Battista
Cairati to build the fort under the orders of King Felipe II of Castille.
The Sultan of Mombasa captured the fort around 1631. Since then, Fort Jesus would change hands between the Portuguese, Omani Arabs, and the British.
In 1962, it became a museum, and in 2011, it was declared
a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. Since then, Fort Jesus has become the most famous
tourist attraction in Mombasa.
While there, be sure to also visit the Mombasa Butterfly
House.
6. Explore a Local Market
Kongowea Market is located a short drive from Mombasa
town. The market is more than simply a place to buy affordable clothes,
household items, groceries, and fruits. It’s a meeting point, an unofficial
cultural center, and the home of delicious food.
A walking tour of Kongowea Market is one of the best
activities in Mombasa. It allows you to engage with locals and learn about
their way of life. You can also shop for fresh fruits and vegetables and test
your bargaining skills.
7. Relax at the Mama Ngina Waterfront
There are many fun things to do in Mombasa, but nothing
gives me more joy than relaxing by the seaside at Mama Ngina
Waterfront. The ocean breeze, freshly fried cassava crisps, tugboats
pulling ships, and sights of beautifully lit ferries in the evening – once
experienced, these things live forever in one’s mind.
Mama Ngina Waterfront is a public park that overlooks Kilindini
Harbour. It’s a beautiful place to relax and unwind and is one of the most
affordable places to visit in Mombasa.
If I were to recommend just one place to visit in Mombasa,
it would be this breathtaking waterfront. Whilst there, ride on one of
the Likoni
ferries to see the enchanting beauty of the coast in the evening.
8. Go Diving and Snorkeling
The best beaches, historical sites, markets, and other tourist sites in Mombasa are easily accessible. This is why the city’s a good choice for travelers looking to do some sightseeing.
Mombasa is also an amazing diving destination in Kenya,
thanks to Mombasa
Marine National Park and Reserve. The park is home to various marine
attractions, including coral reefs, sea urchins, many different fish species,
turtles, and migratory birds.
If you intend to go diving in Mombasa, the best dive sites
include the MV Dania and the MV Globe
Star wrecks. Diving trips can be arranged from your hotel or through a
reputable operator like Peponi Divers.
Besides viewing marine life and diving in Mombasa Marine Park, you can engage in other activities
like swimming, snorkeling, and windsurfing. The park can be accessed by boat
from different points along the coast, including Nyali Beach and Serena Beach.
9. Join a Scenic Bike Tour
Mombasa is one of the best places to visit in Kenya because
of its relaxed atmosphere, pristine beaches, and rich culture. You can explore
the city with a motorized vehicle, by boat, or on foot.
However, if you’d like to get a different perspective and
try a method of traveling that’s sure to get you closer to local life, consider
cycling.
A cycling
tour is a convenient way of sightseeing and is one of the best things
to do in Mombasa for adventure seekers. It takes you along quiet back roads,
through Swahili villages, and amidst breathtaking scenery.
It’s also an opportunity to escape city crowds, busy roads,
and the comfort of your beach bed for an authentic experience.
10. Walk Among Giraffes at Nguuni
Nguuni Nature Sanctuary is one of the few places in
Mombasa where you can connect with nature and view wildlife. Situated in
the Nguu
Tatu Hills, the sanctuary is a paradise hidden away in a wilderness near
the Indian Ocean.
You can immerse yourself in nature by taking a walk,
picnicking, or going on a game drive. The sanctuary is home to ostriches,
giraffes, oryx, elands, waterbuck, and over 250 bird species.
Other activities at Nguuni include bike riding, camping, and
watching the sunset paint the sky above the Nguu Tatu Hills with a cold beer.
The sanctuary is about 10 minutes from Bamburi and
35 minutes from Mombasa city. Check out the sanctuary’s
website for the latest entrance fees and operating hours.
11. Enjoy a Rare Wildlife Experience
Similar to the Nguuni Nature Sanctuary, Haller Park (Bamburi Nature
Trail) was once a wasteland, now turned into a diverse and unique
ecosystem.
Today, the park is home to a wildlife sanctuary, animal
orphanage, reptile park, fish farm, butterfly pavilion, botanical garden, and
forest trail.
It’s an ideal place to visit for nature lovers and travelers
looking for a different experience in Mombasa. You can expect to see monkeys,
tortoises, waterbucks, giraffes, hippos, buffalo, elands, and plenty of bird
species. Click here for
a fun half-day tour of Haller Park with transportation and guide.
12. Go-Karting (One of the Best Things to Do in Mombasa)
One of my favorite places to visit in Mombasa is the popular Mombasa Go-Kart. While I don’t always race, watching friends compete while I enjoy a cold Tusker is a great sight.
If you love exhilarating adventures, make sure to visit the
Mombasa Go-Kart. Their track is well designed, the go-karts are of high
quality, and the staff is very helpful.
Besides karting, there are other fun activities to do here
including paintballing, archery, zip-lining, mini golf, and bowling. The center
also has a family-friendly restaurant and a bar.
If you’re wondering where to stay near the Mombasa Go-Kart,
I recommend the Cowrie Shell. It’s my favorite accommodation in the
area because of its homely atmosphere and proximity to the beach.
13. Have Fun at the Wild Waters Kenya
If you’re looking for more fun activities in Mombasa,
there’s no better place than Wild Waters Kenya. The water park (located in Nyali) offers
thrilling entertainment to individuals, groups, and families.
Their full-day activities include swimming and taking a
plunge down water slides. You can also float and chill in a pool or hang out in
their food courts or bar.
The different slides and play areas are for everyone. Kids
can have fun in the kid’s pool, on the family slide, and play station. The
thrilling spiral slide (my favorite) is great for adults seeking to unleash
their adventurous spirit.
There are several nice places to stay close to Wild Waters Kenya,
including the Nyali Beach Holiday Resort.
14. Visit the Bombolulu Workshops and Cultural Center
If you’re still looking for more things to do in
Mombasa, Bombolulu
Workshops is the place to be. Opened in 1969, the center aims to
empower and support people with disabilities. It consists of a workshop for
producing handmade items and a cultural center.
Visit Bombolulu Workshops and learn more about Swahili culture. You’ll also see how people with different abilities utilize their gifts and creativity to make cool items.
To support the project, make sure you buy their handmade
items such as jewelry, wood carvings, bags, and textiles. The center is located
about 40 minutes from Mombasa town, along Nyali road. It’s easily accessible by
matatus (minibusses), taxis, and tuk-tuks.
15. Party at the Moonshine Beach Bar
Mombasa is home to some of the best nightlife spots in
Kenya. If you have a spare evening after your Mombasa tour, a night out in
the city or its outskirts is not to be missed.
If you’re looking for a bar where you can hang out and enjoy your favorite drink, try the Moonshine Beach Bar.
Located along Mount Kenya road
in Nyali, the bar is one of the coolest spots in Mombasa. It’s situated
directly on the beach and serves everything from local beers to premium
cocktails.
If you prefer a less thumping environment, go to the Bistro Restaurant and
Pool Bar. Here you can enjoy delicious food and drinks while being
entertained by live music. It’s located in the Reef Hotel (a nice place to stay in Nyali).
Other Things to Do in Mombasa
Here are other exciting things to do and places to visit in
Mombasa.
16. Take a Photo With the Mombasa Tusks
Located over Moi Avenue, Mombasa Tusks are
M-shaped giant elephant tusks made from aluminum.
The tusks were first installed in 1952 to commemorate a visit by
Queen Elizabeth II to Mombasa. After the expansion of the road into two
lanes in 1956, new tusks were constructed.
Another reason for the new tusks was to commemorate Princess
Margaret’s visit to the city that year. Today, these tusks are famous tourist
attractions in Mombasa.
17. Day Trip to Tsavo National Parks
Besides historical sites and beaches, there are other attractions near Mombasa, including national parks and reserves. These wildlife parks are home to some of Kenya’s rarest species of flora and fauna.
If you want an authentic
safari experience in Mombasa, take a day trip to Tsavo National Parks.
Tsavo East National Park is home to the big five (the lion,
leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo), Lugard Falls,
and various bird species. On the other hand, Tsavo West is
famous for wildlife viewing and attractions such as Mzima Springs.
Although I attended school in Kenya and read about Krapf, I
didn’t know there was a memorial park in his name until I visited Mombasa.
There are several accommodation options in these parks. If
you’re visiting Tsavo West, Severin Safari Camp is the best place to stay.
Visitors to Tsavo East can sleep and dine at the Voi Wildlife Lodge.
18. See the Krapf Memorial Park
Located at Mkomani in Nyali, Krapf Memorial
Park commemorates the life of Johann
Ludwig Krapf. He was a German explorer, missionary, and linguist famous for
pioneering Christianity in Kenya and making the first Swahili dictionary.
Across the pillar are also the graves of his wife, second
daughter, and two other faithful who died in Mombasa.
If you love history, visit the memorial park to learn more
about Krapf and his works in Kenya. Don’t forget to write your name on the
visitor’s book – a cactus tree. Dr. Krapf is also credited for being the first
European to see Mount Kenya.
19. Take a Trip to Watamu
None of my holidays in Mombasa are complete without a quick
trip to Watamu. This small town is somewhat of a hidden jewel and a must-visit
for any traveler hungry for white sand beaches.
Besides relaxing at Watamu Beach,
my favorite activities here include visiting Mida Creek and
the Ruins
of Gedi. Watamu is also a nice place for watersports activities and nature
experiences.
You can explore the beach town from Hemingways Watamu and eat at the Crab Shack Dabaso.
20. Try some spices at Marikiti market
The Marikiti market is located just 350 meters distance from
Mombasa Old Town and it was opened in 1914. It is also called Mackinnon market
and much of the materials used in its construction come from Bristol.
The market is one of the main tourist attractions in Mombasa
and it is visited often by tourists as it is part of some of Mombasa walking
tours.
The highlight for tourists is trying Baobab seeds (mabuyu)
and Macadania. You can also buy several other delicious spices and coffee.
Vendors are usually super nice and helpful.