Mombasa

Mombasa with a population of 1.2 million (2019), is the second-largest city in Kenya and its main port city. It is particularly known for its warm and sunny climate, white beaches and coral reef diving.

Understand

Mombasa is Kenya's main tourist destination. It is on the eastern coastline of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean which has made it a popular destination for its beaches. Mombasa offers a diverse marine life, world-class hotels and friendly atmosphere. There is a tropical climate all year and it is a great destination filled with activities for all ages.

Mombasa is one of the oldest cities in sub-Saharan Africa, and its precise date of founding remains unknown. The first accounts of Mombasa date back to the 12th century, when the Arab geographer Al Idrisi mentioned it as a prosperous trading post in his writings. Pre-colonial Mombasa was a prosperous city state in a region of East Africa known as the Swahili Coast, which also included other city states such as Zanzibar and Kilwa Kisiwani, and a main centre for trade between Africa and the Arab World, with trade routes even going as far as India and China. At different points in history, Mombasa would be ruled by the Portuguese, Arabs and British. The city's culture today still exhibits that of its pasts. Historical ruins like Fort Jesus and the Old Town are attractions that display the history in Mombasa.

The central part of the city, Mvita, is an island in a river delta, accessed by bridges and from the south by ferries operating around the clock. It is a very cosmopolitan city, and you can see a group of Muslims wearing niqab (here known as "bui bui") and Giryama people wearing almost nothing at the same time and place.

Together with Nairobi, it is the only place in the country that has a status as both city and county.

Orientation

The city of Mombasa is divided into four administrative divisions. These are clearly geographically defined and are therefore useful for orientation.

As in many other metropolises, it is difficult to distinguish the newer areas from the original city (Mvita). By 2009, 90% of the urban area was built up. And as in all major Sub-Saharan African cities, there are several shantytowns in the suburbs. The largest is Kisauni-Kongowea in Kisauni, and others include Chaani-Magongo and Miritini in Changamwe as well as Mtongwe in Likoni.

Most hotels and activities are concentrated on the island of Mvita and along the northern coast in the Kisauni division.

 Mvita
The island where the city was founded. The old town is calmer than the rest of Mvita and ranges from the old port to Fort Jesus which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011. South of the fort there are administrative quarters and three of the city's four hospitals. To the west there is the port area. Central Mvita, including part of the Haile Selassie road is a permanent market with colorful shops, stalls, street food and public places.
 Changamwe
The gateway to the city if you're coming from Nairobi. Here are the international airport, part of the port and oil and chemical industry plants. Changamwe is connected to Mvita by Makupa Bridge.
 Kisauni
Kisauni is often called the "north coast". This is where the largest slums of Mombasa are located, but also the sand beaches of Nyali, Bamburi and Shanzu, all bordered by luxury hotels and vacation houses. It is connected to Mombasa Island by Nyali Bridge and to the neighboring village of Mtwapa by Mtwapa Bridge.
 Likoni
Often called the "south coast". Like Kisauni it has a large sand beach, Shelly Beach, but the accommodation here is mostly made up of apartments. It is connected to Mvita by ferry.

Climate
Mombasa
Climate chart (explanation)
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
 
33
 
 
32
23
 
 
 
15
 
 
32
24
 
 
 
56
 
 
33
24
 
 
 
163
 
 
31
24
 
 
 
240
 
 
29
23
 
 
 
80
 
 
28
21
 
 
 
70
 
 
28
20
 
 
 
66
 
 
28
20
 
 
 
72
 
 
29
21
 
 
 
97
 
 
30
22
 
 
 
92
 
 
31
23
 
 
 
75
 
 
32
23
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation+Snow totals in mm
Source : World Meteorological Organisation
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
 
1.3
 
 
90
74
 
 
 
0.6
 
 
90
74
 
 
 
2.2
 
 
91
76
 
 
 
6.4
 
 
88
75
 
 
 
9.4
 
 
85
73
 
 
 
3.1
 
 
83
70
 
 
 
2.8
 
 
82
69
 
 
 
2.6
 
 
82
69
 
 
 
2.8
 
 
84
69
 
 
 
3.8
 
 
85
72
 
 
 
3.6
 
 
87
74
 
 
 
3
 
 
89
74
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

The climate is tropical with a major rain season between mid-April and late May and a minor wet season in October and November. Being in the Southern Hemisphere, the summer, with temperatures above 32°C, occurs in January and March. At just 4° south of the Equator, the variation in temperature is relatively small.

History

The first urban area was founded near what today is known as Old Town around 900 AD by a man named Sheheh Mvita. Its strategic position along the maritime route to India caused the city to be coveted by many powers, and it was a notable port for the ivory and spice trades.

Several travellers and explorers passed through the region starting no later than the 1st century, but the first written record of the city was by the Moroccan Ibn Battuta in 1330. It said Mombasa was "a very rural island without territorial dependency on the continent with mosques and forests and the inhabitants nourishing themselves on bananas and fish". On 7 April 1498, the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama arrived and stayed for six days, and this was the end of peace in this small town. Under orders of Francisco de Almeida, the Portuguese returned to pillage the village in 1505 and 1528 before capturing it in 1529. They constructed Fort Jesus in 1593, together with five smaller forts, and made Mombasa a Portuguese stronghold on the route to India. The years between 1600 and 1832 were marked by successive battles between the Portuguese and the Sultanate of Oman, who conquered it.

In 1856 the sultanate of Muscat and Oman split into two and Mombasa fell into the sphere of the sultanate of Zanzibar, of which it was part until it was conquered by Britain in 1895. Mombasa served as capital of the East Africa Protectorate from 1898-1905. During this time the city's new port and the railway to Uganda were constructed. The East Africa Protectorate was dissolved in 1920 and the area was thereafter known as the Colony and Protectorate of Kenya. Mombasa remained the capital of Kenya until the country attained independence in 1963, and has served as a provincial capital ever since.

Tourist information

Get in

Mombasa is an important node for all forms of transportation. It is the end of the Trans-African Route 8 from Lagos and of the railway to Uganda. It has an international airport, Moi Airport, and one of Eastern Africa's most important ports, Kilindini, which is also the main port for goods to Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda.

By plane

The flight between Nairobi and Mombasa takes some 45 minutes, enough time for a cold drink and a view of the Tsavo East National Park. The flag carrier Kenya Airways, as well as the low-cost airlines Jambojet, and Fly540 (Five Forty Aviation) fly this route. There are direct flights from European cities such as Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, Milan, Rome, Verona and also from Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Doha, Dubai, Entebbe, Kigali, Istanbul, Moroni, and Zanzibar.

  • 🌍 Moi International Airport, Road C110, Barack Obama Rd, ☏ +254 716 694306. The airport in Mombasa has been renovated and has increased the frequency of flights in and out of Mombasa from European cities. Moi Airport is the second most important airport in Kenya, after Jomo Kenyatta in Nairobi. It is in Changamwe, 6 km from Mombasa Island to which is linked by the roads 110 (Barack Obama Road) and 109.
    A Transfer Taxi or ("Tuk-Tuk") is the most common way to get to the city centre from the airport. As of 2018, the fares for a regular taxi ride is between Ksh 1500-3000. Uber or Taxify are much cheaper, while a Tuk-Tuk ride will cost only Ksh 200. You need to walk 300m out from the airport car park to get a Tuk-Tuk .
    Some hotels offer shuttle services from the airport for a fee. There are also cars to rent.     (updated Aug 2018)
  • Money exchange: At the exit from the airport to the right is an ATM, where you can withdraw Kenya Shilling with your card (ensure the card works in Kenya at your bank). This is much cheaper than cash exchange. A bank for exchange is also available at the airport.


  • 🌍 Bamburi Airport, Off Old Shimo La Tewa Road, Bamburi. The budget carrier Air Kenya Express operates charter flights from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to Bamburi Airport. 

By boat

There are three ways to get to Mombasa by boat: by private boat, cruise ship or ferry.

By private boat

On Mombasa Island there are two sailing clubs open to non-members and two hotels with marinas open to non-guests.

By cruise ship

Some companies offer cruises that call at Mombasa:

By ferry

If you are arriving overland from the south, you need to cross the river by taking the Likoni Ferry.

By train

In June 2017, a new, 530-km-long railway line from Nairobi reduced the journey to about five hours. State-of-the-art rapid-trains are in use. A ticket for economy class is about Ksh 1000 while a 1st class ticket is about Ksh 3000. The difference between economy and 1st class is that seats are more spacious in first class. Kenya Railways operates several trains per day on the route.

A commuter rail system linking Mombasa Terminus with the old railway terminal in central Mombasa is under construction and expected to open in 2024.

  • 🌍 Mombasa Terminus (10 km west of the city). An impressive new station, located in the western suburbs. A connecting bus shuttle runs to and from the old railway station in central Mombasa. (updated Aug 2020)

By bus

Buses, while not a major mode of transportation within the city, are mostly used for travelling outside the city. The major player in transportation in Mombasa City is Matatu, which are mostly 14-seater minibuses, and are quite popular amongst the residents.

By car

Kenya drives on the left and it will likely take some time to adapt to the local traffic culture. Drive in daytime only and keep the car doors locked, especially in urban areas. In Kenya foreign drivers must have an international driver's licence. These can be obtained through automobile clubs, travel agencies, or from the Road Transport Office located in the Income Tax House in Nairobi.

Most international rental agencies are present at least at Nairobi airport. From Nairobi, the distance to Mombasa is 525 km and the drive takes 6-12 hours, depending on the presence of police controls along the road, congestion on the section between Mariakani and Mombasa and the breaks you take. Voi is a good place to stop for lunch (this is also where buses stop).

From central Nairobi, take route 104 (Huhuru Highway) to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Athi River. From there route 109 to Mombasa.

Get around

The traffic will likely appear chaotic to a westerner. Traffic laws are not respected, even when police are present.

By minibus

There is no regular public transportation network in the city. The closest equivalent are the aforementioned matatus (minivans) of which there are about 3500 (licensed ones have stickers on the windshields) in the city. They're cheap — ask someone at the hotel what the going rate is and don't let them scam you. Don't expect to be comfortable; as the drivers want to take as many passengers as possible, you will often be crammed in like a sardine. A matatu ride starts from Ksh 20 just to go 500m (2018)but count on paying double if you want a vehicle which conforms to the traffic legislation. Certain lines connect Mombasa and Malandi, the ride taking about two hours at a price of Ksh 350. Alternatively, book a shuttle bus to collect you from your accommodation and drop you directly at your accommodation in Mombasa - this is more expensive costing around Ksh 1000, but is much quicker and far less hassle. The shuttles can be booked online and are run by Hakuna Mutatu Bus .

By tuk-tuk and motorcycle

For the more adventurous there are tuk-tuks (motorized trikes with a cabin for the passengers) and boda-bodas (bicycle taxis). The latter is a rather dangerous and scary mode of getting around. The price for a tuk-tuk ride is Ksh 50-100 and boda-boda around Ksh 50. You can get a Tuk-tuk to the new railway station for Ksh250 per person. or 300m from the airport for ksh200 per person.

By taxi

Official and unofficial taxis are also available. Taxis don't have taxi signs on the roof, but license papers stuck to the windshields. The ride is in general paid beforehand after some negotiation and you can expect the driver to stop at a service station to fill up just the necessary amount to get you to your destination. A ride from the airport to central Mombasa costs Ksh 1000-3000 (2018). A much cheaper alternative to regular taxis are the shuttle services Uber, Taxify, Little , Mondo Ride, MaraMoja. You can get fares online and thereby avoid getting overcharged, as many taxi drivers like to do to tourists. A cheaper alternative is a shared taxi: Hakuna Mutatu Bus operates on the Kenya Coast and a ride from Mombasa costs roughly Ksh 1000 and takes 1hr 30min. The shared taxi is a door-to-door service, meaning you will be collected from your current accommodation in Mombasa, Kilifi or Watamu and dropped directly at your next accommodation in Diani.

By car

It is also possible to rent a car with or without a driver. If you need to get around a lot but are scared of driving, you can usually negotiate fares for longer periods (e.g. one day) with taxi drivers. Do this only after a "test ride", as taxi drivers are not always knowledgeable of the city.

See

Considering Mombasa's action-filled history, surprisingly there are only a handful of sights. The nature and a slew of different activities is what makes Mombasa interesting for visitors. In addition to these, there are a couple of sights within 20-30 km north, west and south of Mombasa. These are listed under #Go next.

  • 🌍 Fort Jesus, Fort Jesus Rd, ☏ +254 720 650869. Daily 8:30AM-6:30PM. Fort Jesus is the most popular destination in Mombasa. Built between 1593 and 1596 by the Portuguese to protect the port against the Ottomans, this fort was in military use for over three centuries. It got its name from the Portuguese fleet sailing under the flag of the Order of Christ (Ordem de Nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo). The fort is an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. Fort Jesus holds artifacts from when Mombasa was a transit port for the slave trade. There are torture rooms, cells, and many other displays from the 16th century. During the British period the fort functioned as a prison and today part of the cells are used as a museum. Many exhibits come from the Portuguese frigate Santo António de Tanna that sank in 1697, including African and Indian pottery, Chinese china, different objects used by the crew and two bronze cannons. Another part of the collection is dedicated to archeological finds from the Kenyan coast. Moreover there are Arabic military equipment, musical instruments and a series of cannons from the 18th and 19th centuries. In the small park next to the entrance there is a 105-mm cannon that belonged to the Imperial German Navy.
    The Butterfly House is right next to Fort Jesus, so very easy to incorporate into a trip round the Fort and Old Town, but also well worth a visit on its own. Although small, is packed with both beautiful and interesting creatures. You can view butterflies from their larval stage to grown ups. See also evidences of slave trade and an amphitheatre that's being restored. Have a nice view of the LA marina. There is also a small shop.     Ksh 1500 (adults), Ksh 750 (kids) as of 2013. 
  • 🌍 Fort St Joseph. Close to the golf course near Mama Ngina Drive, this ruin is probably the oldest fortress on the island built by Arabs. It stood when Vasco Da Gama first came to Mombasa. It is not really impressive but it's a nice viewpoint too and worth a visit. (updated Oct 2017)
  • 🌍 Old town, Districts of Makadara and Mzizima. Along Tudor Creek north of Fort Jesus, these districts make up the original city. It is an example of typical Swahili architecture with a much more peaceful ambience than the rest of the city. Much of it has been converted into souvenir shops and restaurants and here you can find artisanal stores selling silver jewellery and small furniture. If you are afraid of getting lost among the small streets or don't want to miss anything, there are guides at the esplanade of Fort Jesus that can show you around the old town for Ksh 1000. A nice place to explore on a Sunday when much of the city is closed down. 
  • 🌍 The tusks of Moi Avenue, Moi Ave (near Uhuru Garden). The tusks were built in 1956 to welcome Princess Margaret, who was visiting Mombasa town. Today they are some of the most characteristic landmarks of Mombasa. They are located at the entrance to the city and not made of ivory as is sometimes thought, but of steel. The tusks form an M (which stands for Mombasa). 
  • 🌍 Leven House. In the 19th century this building was the headquarters of the British Navy's anti-slavery campaigns in the region. It is named after a British warship. Later the building has been used by missionaries, a shipping company and as a consulate. There is a restaurant in the building. 
  • 🌍 Holy Ghost Cathedral, Nyerere Ave. The neo-Gothic building right in downtown is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa and a visible landmark. 
  • Hindu temples (Mandirs). Thanks to its Indian community Mombasa has several beautiful Hindu temples (mandirs) to visit. Visitors are able to go inside the temple accompanied by a guide from the temple. Inside there are artifacts, idols and cultural pictures and paintings. 
  • 🌍 Shri Kutch Satsang Temple, Coin de Haile Selassie Avenue and Bajuni Road. Constructed in 1957, it is the oldest mandir of Swaminarayan Hinduism outside India. 
  • 🌍 New Dwarikadham Temple, Beach Road, Nyali. This complex of 8100 m² serves the Krishna Consciousness community and includes a vegetarian restaurant. 
  • 🌍 Lord Shiva Temple, Mwenye Aboud Rd. Sikh temple worth visiting thanks to its gardens. 
  • 🌍 Mangrove of Tudor Creek. It is possible to visit the mangrove forests of the Kombeni and Tsalu rivers which form the Tudor Creek. To do that, ask a fisherman at Cape Kiberamni or Junda Creek to take you there. Prices are negotiable. 
  • 🌍 Haller Park, Malindi Road, Bamburi, ☏ +254 41 5485901. 8:30AM-5:30PM. A zoological garden of about 75 hectares created in 1985 on the site of a formal coral reef. Animals include giraffes, hippos, monkeys, and reptiles. The park has two famous animals: Owen and Mzee. The former is a hippopotamus that was orphanized by the tsunami of 2004 and the second a tortoise that "adopted" the young hippo to the astonishment of the scientists. The best time to visit is between 14:00 and 15:00 when the animals are fed. Guides speak English, Spanish, French and other languages. Watch out for the monkeys, they are numerous and appear friendly but do occasionally bite. Ksh 1600 as of 2013. 
  • 🌍 Nguuni Sanctury, ☏ +254 700 337 068. The Nguuni Nature sanctuary is 4 km from Lafarge Bamburi Cement on the Nguu Tatu Hills and is the home to many animal, like giraffes, elands, oryx, waterbucks, ostriches and many different birds. It is a very good place to experience nature and safari feeling on foot. The wetlands with small lakes are an interesting place for bird watchers, who have the opportunity to observe many different species of birds. Large Doum Palm crowned by Leopard Orchids are scattered in the grassland. It is also a wonderful place for a nice afternoon with friends or family or just for a long walk followed by a sundowner. You can book the barbecue place for Ksh 2,000 for private parties. For Ksh 1200 you can hire a safari vehicle for 1-1.5 hours for animal watching. Transport entrance to the picnic area: Ksh 250. From Mombasa by public transport either take matatu which go straight to Kiembeni & alight at Turkey bazer than walk along Mwakirunge Rd. About 200 m from the Kiembeni Rd. on the left you will find the NNS sign/entrance or take Bamburi matatu, alight at Bamburi “mwisho" and take a connect matatu to Kiembeni & alight at Turkey base Entrance fee Ksh 500. (updated Nov 2017)
  • 🌍 Bamburi Forest Trails. Beautiful, mostly flat terrain for walking, cycling and running with routes from 3.5 to 10 km marked with small coloured wooden arrows. There is a children's playground, fitness trail, archery, cycle track and (vintage) bicycles for hire. It is a diverse ecosystem with beautiful flora, ponds, monkeys and butterflies, and it is pleasantly cool in the shade of the trees. It is a recreational hideout in the tidy jungle. You can also just sit and listen to the sounds of the bush or take a walk in the shade of the trees. Please note: It is not allowed to bring plastic bottles. 
  • 🌍 Mamba Village & Lunar Park, Links Road, Nyali, . Daily 7AM-6PM. A park of 20 hectares whose principal attraction is a farm with around 10,000 crocodiles. There is horseback and camel riding and the park also has a restaurant and a bar. The best time to visit is around 5PM when the crocodiles are fed. Next to the crocodile farm is a lunar park with several attractions for kids 
  • 🌍 Krapf Memorial. This 19th-century monument memorialises the German explorer and missionary Johann Ludwig Krapf who became the first European to see Mount Kenya with the help of the Kamba people. 

Mombasa was a military base during both world wars, and there are two military cemeteries:

Do

Beaches and water

Even as the 13½ km of white sand beaches along the coast would tempt you to do nothing but bathing in the sun and the sea, Mombasa also offers other kinds of activities. All beaches in Kisauni offer camel rides and on Jomo Kenyatta Public Beach in Bamburi you can rent bikes too. There are also guided walks on the beaches.

There are 3 main beaches north of Mombasa. First is Nyali Beach which is frequented mostly by locals as the water quality is not very good due to the closeness to the town that has no functioning waste water treatment plants. The next is Bamburi Beach. It's a very nice beach with many hotels, resorts, pubs, apartments, shops and beach boys and beach girls looking for tourist company or to sell all kinds of souvenirs. The beach is frequented a lot by locals and tourists. Its the most lively beach of Mombasa with good night live too. Shanzu Beach is the most scenic beach of Mombasa and less frequented than Bamburi Beach. Day and night life is there but less than at Bamburi beach. Further to the North are the beaches of Mtwapa.

  • 🌍 Wild Waters Amusement Park, Links Road, Nyali, ☏ +254 726 337000, . 10AM-6PM. Water amusement park with 15 different toboggans. On hot days this is a good place to cool yourself. The water park is reportedly modern and clean. Other activities on site include a gaming arcade, a "disco arena" and several theme rides as well as food court. With access to toboggans: Ksh 1200, entrance only: Ksh 300. 

Diving

Fishing

You can catch big fishes in Mombasa, including barracuda, yellow tuna and all three species of marlin.

Parks and greenery

Mombasa Island (Mvita) doesn't have many parks. The two best known are Uhuru Garden at Moi Avenue near the tusks and Mama Ngina Park.

  • 🌍 Mama Ngina Park, Mama Ngina Dr. Here you can look at the ships arriving in and leaving from the port and the ferry crossing over to Likoni, and take in some fresh ocean air. free. 
  • 🌍 Bamburi Forest Trails and Butterfly Park, Malindi Road, Bamburi. The forested area most visited by locals and tourists is in Bamburi. It has many ponds, covers and area of 100 ha and you can get around by foot or bike. Nguuni Wildlife Sanctuary is located here, a place where you can encounter giraffes, ostriches, oryx and deers in semi-liberty. In the Butterfly Pavillion you can admire 16 species of living butterflies. Ksh 200. 
  • 🌍 Jomvu Kuu. If you wish to get off the beaten path, there is a paved road north of Miritini (near the airport) which leads through a savanna landscape to the small village of Jomvu Kuu from where you have a view over the mangrove forest. 
  • 🌍 Tiwi Beach. Tiwi Beach is a quiet beach on Mombasas south coast, not spoiled by mass tourism. Take the Likoni ferry to the south by taxi (ca. USD50) from Mombasa city center. 
  • 🌍 Mtwapa Creek. Mtwapa Creek is a place to visit on Mombasa's north coast. It's an Indian Ocean inlet with some small marinas and beautiful tropical vegetation which is very famous for bird watching, mountain bike tours around the creek and starting point for deep sea fishing trips. 

Culture
  • 🌍 Bombolulu Cultural Centre, Bombolulu Estate, Kisauni (in the Bombolulu Workshops & Cultural Centre), ☏ +254 723 560933, . Traditional Kenyan dance performances and sale of jewellery, leather, textiles and carved wood. 
  • 🌍 Nyali Cinemax, Tamarind Road, Kongowea, ☏ +254 41 447000, . M-F 12:30PM-10PM, Sa Su 9:30AM-10PM. Nyali Theatre featuring Hollywood and Bollywood new releases (Ksh 500). Two cinema rooms with digital cinema equipment. Also bowling alley, casino, and Italian restaurant. Have some bhel puri while you're there. Taxi from centre Ksh 800, Tuk Tuk Ksh 300. Parking. 

Sport

Gambling

Events

There are many kinds of events during the year:

  • Marathon and triathlon. Yearly. Organized since 1985 in the Southern Hemisphere fall by the International Triathlon Federation. Since 2006 there has been a yearly triathlon event in the Austral spring. 
  • 🌍 The Coast Film Festival, Coin de Moi Avenue and Kwa Shibu Road (localities of l'Alliance française), ☏ +254 41 2225048, +254 733 439999, . 2 weeks yearly in May or June. Organized by the Alliance française. 
  • 🌍 Dragon Boat Race, Tudor Creek (next to Tudor Water Sport). Yearly during Southern Hemisphere spring. A race of dragon boats, each of which has 20 rowers and a tambourine player giving the rhythm. 
  • 🌍 Go-Kart, Shanzu (on the right hand side of Malindi Road), ☏ +254 721 485247, . Yearly during Southern Hemisphere spring. Go-cart endurance race on three racing courses. Arranged on the aforementioned go-cart track. 
  • 🌍 Carnival, Moi Ave. Yearly in November. Happens in November on the streets of Mvita. It is a colorful parade of around 50 chariots and 3000 dancers from all over Kenya in traditional costumes. 
  • 🌍 Fireworks, Nyali. Dec 31-Jan 1. The New Year's firework show is arranged by the hotels at Nyali beach. 
  • Safari Rally. Yearly. A yearly Kenya National Rally Championship race. 

Safaris and excursions

Most people who visit the coast of Kenya want to combine their stay with a safari. If you have not already booked the safari at home in the travel agency, you can also book it with local agents. There are a very large number of travel agencies that offer safaris both near the beach hotels and in the center of Mombasa. Tours are offered in every hotel and representatives try to find customers even on the beach. In addition to reputable companies, there are also private individuals who organize safaris - often illegally, in order to avoid taxes. For your own safety, you should give preference to reputable companies, even if they are a little more expensive.

For the nearby attractions without overnight stays, you can simply take a taxi. For nearby destination worth to visit see also Diani Beach and Mtwapa.

Buy

Like in all of Africa, haggling is common in small shops. Especially if you are an obvious foreigner, the initial price is usually higher than what is normally paid for the merchandise. Just make sure you don't ask for prices in English. Use the little Swahili you know so as not to overpay.

The best places for buying souvenirs are the districts of Kinyozi, Mwembe and Tayari which are surrounding Haile Selassie Road and also Biashara Street (Biashara means "commerce" in Swahili). Specialities include:

  • kitenge (vitenge in plural): fabrics decorated with colorful motifs for women to be worn around the waist or tied on the head
  • kanga: similar to kitenge but also decorated with a border running along the sides and a written Swahili proverb.
  • kikoi (vikoi in plural): the "kitenge" for men, sometimes made of wool and usually decorated with strips or tartan
  • batik: originating on Java, batik has been known on the Kenyan coast for centuries. The pieces are cloths are woven by hand but not hand painted. Should not be washed in a washing machine.
  • kiondo or chondo (vyondo in plural): handmade handbag with leather trim often beautifully decorated with beads or shells
  • ndala: hand-made sandals made from leather and old tires (for the soles), these stylish shoes are a great souvenir from Mombasa. Local craftsman use colorful beads and pieces of leather to create a vast variety of shapes and decorations. No two pairs are alike. Ksh 500.

In the old town you can find stores selling silver jewellery and small furniture handmade in typical Swahili style. Also here, haggling is the rule.

There are two important workshops selling their productions directly to customers:

  • 🌍 Bombolulu Workshops & Cultural Centre (BWCC), Bombolulu Estate, Kisauni, ☏ +254 723 560933, . Cultural centre that sells jewellery, leather and textile products as well as wooden sculptures created by one of the 150 artisans with a physical handicap who are working there. Bombolulu Workshops was founded in 1969 and is a project of the Association for the Physically Disabled in Kenya. This centre is a popular attraction for tourists and has 150 disabled employees who create jewellery, textiles, wood and leather crafts. It is the largest rehabilitation centre in Kenya. 
  • 🌍 Akamba Handicraft, Barracks Obama Road, Chaani, ☏ +254 41 3432241, . Decorative and useful objects made of sculpted wood. The carvings are hand made and hence each piece is unique. You can see the artisans at work in the shop and there's a showroom with a wide range of exhibits. In the hall for the tourists, prices are higher than on the opposite side of the ground, where wholesalers buy. 

Banks and ATMs
  • All the banks on this list have no ATM withdrawal fees for overseas cards (June 2023).
  • Cooperative Bank has ATMs all over Mombasa that accept Mastercard & Visa card.
  • Ecobank on Jomo Kenyatta. accept Master card & visa card.
  • GT Bank Moi Avenue accept mastercard & visa card.

Shopping malls & supermarkets
  • City Mall Nyali, Malindi Road, ☏ +254 711415415. 9AM-9PM. First modern shopping mall in Mombasa. Has a Carrefour Hypermarket. (updated Jun 2023)
  • Naivas Supermarkets. 6:45AM-8:30PM. Four stores, including one next to City Mall. One on the 2nd floor of Mwembe Tayari Mall Mombasa City Centre. One in Ukunda near Diani Beach. One in Bamburgh. (updated Jun 2023)
  • A One Supermarket Ltd, Hospital Street, ☏ +254 41-2220105. 8AM-8PM. cheapest supermarket in Mombasa. (updated May 2023)
  • Chandarana Food Plus Supermarket, Kaunda Avenue. 8AM-8PM. There is a second store at Diani Beach. (updated Jun 2023)
  • Nawal Centre Department store. George Margaret Road. 8:30AM-7PM. A 7-floor department store.
  • Quick mart, Haile selasie Road. 24 hours. a large supermarket chain with stores all over kenya. (updated Jun 2023)

Eat

Mombasa is a cosmopolitan city with Arabic, Chinese, European and Indian influences, and this can be seen in the local cuisine. Many local dishes include coconut, for instance waly ya tui (basmati rice with coconut milk), kuku wa kupaka (chicken with coconut milk) and mahamri (coconut donuts with cardamom).

Budget

Pizzerias and snack bars serving Kenyan cuisine are found in Mvita and places that are frequented by tourists such as the beaches. Many hotels also offer this kind of affordable eating. If you want to try out the Kenyan cuisine in such places, check that the place is overall clean, that it does not smell of old frying oil. Moreover, ask for drinks in unopened bottles, avoid ice and peel any fruits. If you follow these tips you can have a great and affordable meal - Ksh 250 will buy you a large serving and a beer.

Tea salons and ice cream bars
  • 🌍 Cafe Mocha, Tamarind Road, Kongowea (in the Nyali Cinemax), ☏ +254 775 269326. Daily 4PM-midnight. Tea salon, pastries, ice cream and free Wi-Fi. 
  • 🌍 Pistacchio Café, Meru Rd. Ice cream and coffee bar that also serves buffet lunch. 

Self-catering

If you who want to prepare your meals yourself, the easiest and most hygienic way is to go to one of the two big supermarkets such as Naivas or Carrefour.

There are two malls in Kisauni:

  • 🌍 Ratna shopping mall, Nyali Road, Kongowea. M-Sa. 
  • 🌍 City Mall, Malindi Road, Nyali, ☏ +254 41 4477000, +254 711 415415, . 24 hours. Large mall with a Carrefour Hypermarket. 
  • 🌍 Kongowea Market, Links Road, Kongowea. 3AM-1PM. Kongowea market is one of the largest in Kenya with over 1500 stalls and an area of 4.75 ha. Worth visiting for its ambiance, colors and smells. Take care with meat products because they are not always what the signs say. If you want to take photos of the vendors and their stalls, ask permission first. Also, pickpockets operate in the market, so don't show your expensive camera or phone more than necessary. 

Mid-range

Splurge

Drink

There are quite a number of good bars, pubs and entertainment spots in Mombasa Town and the North Coast. Nightlife is very vibrant in Mombasa and in the village Mtwapa (15km north of Mombasa, called "the village that never sleeps").

  • 🌍 Jahazi Coffee House, Ndia Kuu Rd, ☏ +254 726 409436, . Daily 8AM-7:30PM. Arabic teas and coffees served hot or cold, fresh fruit juices, snacks. 
  • 🌍 Casablanca Club, Mnazi Moja Rd, ☏ +254 722 867774. Daily, 24 hr. One of the largest clubs in Mombasa, open around the clock. It features two dance floors, four bars and a restaurant. Reservation obligatory. 
  • 🌍 Cheers, Malindi Road, Bamburi beach, ☏ +254 733 628986, . Daily 24 hr. Open air bar and disco with cheap beer. Fairly popular for watching sports events on their wide-screen TV. 
  • 🌍 Pirates Beach Club, Jomo Kenyatta Public Beach, Bamburi, ☏ +254 41 5487119. Bar and dancing on the beach. 
  • 🌍 Bob's Bar, Malindi Road, Nyali. Lively and popular bar near Tembo. This bar and grill is where a lot of great nights out get started. One of the few bars that is open until sunrise! 3 bars, one of them has a terrace. Disco. Serves food. 
  • 🌍 Big Tree, Next to Jomo Kenyatta Public Beach Bamburi, Mombasa-Malindi Road, ☏ +254-721-437448. Dance club directly at the sea front with a very good atmosphere and super sexy dance contests. (updated Apr 2016)

Sleep

Price categories as of 2023

Per person

  • Budget - under Ksh 2000.
  • Mid-range Ksh 2000-5000.
  • Splurge Ksh 5000+

Hardly a tourist will stay in Mombasa city, but mostly along the beaches of the north or south coast.There is a wide range of accommodation on offer in Mombasa from camping to Backpacker hostels to hotels and villas with all comforts.

Budget
  • C D H Backpackers, Moi avenue off Chembe road (300 yards from tusks monument), ☏ +254 722 364148. Check-in: 1pm, check-out: 10am. Free wifi. A dorm in mombasa city centre. dorm bed Ksh 1000 pp double room KSh 2000.. 
  • 🌍 Tulia House Backpackers, Off Links Road, Nyali (near city mall.), ☏ +254 711 955999, . double rooms and dorms for 4 to 10 persons. Free Wi-Fi. Campsite, swimming pool. Dorm bed from Ksh 1300. 
  • 🌍 The Beach Africa Backpackers, Maweni Beach Mtwapa, ☏ +254-720-852327. Dorm bed. Dorm bed Ksh 600. (updated Jun 2018)
  • Diani Backpackers, Diani beach, ☏ +254-0-700-713666. Camping with own tent. Dorm bed. Free Wi-Fi. Swimming pool. camping or dorm bed Ksh 600/1150. (updated Jun 2015)
  • Akogo House Backpackers . Beach Road next to Oswal academy Nyali. +254 718 909559. Double Rooms from Ksh 1300. Free Wi-Fi. Garden. On site coffee shop. Shared kitchen.
  • Diani Hostel, Diani Beach road (900 m from the beach and 1.6 km from colobbus conservation), ☏ +254-720-707777. Check-in: 1pm, check-out: 11am. Free wifi. Swimming pool. Free bicycle rental. On-site restaurant. dorm bed Ksh800 double room Ksh1500.. (updated Jun 2023)
  • Evening Guest House, Mnazi Moja Road, ☏ +254 41 221380. Check-in: noon, check-out: 10am. clean fan Single room with outside bathroom. Free breakfast. WiFi in reception. Free soap. Can put your own padlock on room door. from Ksh 1100. (updated Jun 2023)
  • Marigold Guest House, 00254 Jomo Kenyatta Avenue. (Arrow Plaza First Floor. next to Guishan Restaurant.), ☏ +254-706-590090. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: noon. Fan single/double room with own bathroom, free Wi-Fi. Ksh 1500/2000. (updated May 2023)

In Mvita

In Changamwe

Being chiefly an industrial area, Changamwe has little accommodation to offer, there are just two hotels.

  • 🌍 Jambo Village Hotel, Off Barrack Obama Road, Chaani (3km from the airport), ☏ +254 717 357327. Singles, doubles, triples. Rates include breakfast. Conference room, bar and restaurant. 
  • 🌍 Coastgate Hotel, Off Mombasa Road, Miritini (behind the car inspection centre, 9 km from the airport), ☏ +254 729 170500, . 34 singles or doubles, all with balcony. Wi-Fi. Restaurant on the roof. Conference room. Room rates include breakfast but they also offer half board and full board. Double USD60. 

In Kisauni

The hotels bordering the beaches of Nyali, Bambur and Shanzu are all equipped for arranging wedding ceremonies including religious weddings on the beach. These beach hotels are also famous for arranging Mombasa's New Year's fireworks.

In Likoni

Even as Shelly Beach is as beautiful as the ones in Kisauni, many of the beaches in Likoni, e.g. Tijara Beach, are private and can be rented (refer to the section apartments and villas). Just two hotels can be classified as three star hotels.

In Mvita

In Kisauni

Apartments and villas

If you prefer something calmer than hotels, there are also apartments and villas to rent.

In Kisauni

In Likoni

Connect

Mail

Mombasa has several post offices open M-F 8AM-12:30PM and 2PM-5PM.

  • in Changamwe: international airport, Changamwe-Magongo and Kipevu
  • in Kisauni: Bamburi, Kengeleni, Kisauni-Mtopanga, Mkomani and Nyali
  • in Likoni: Likoni-Ferry and Mtongwe
  • in Mvita: Docks (in the port of Kilindini), Kilindini, Makupa, Mwembe

In Mvita there's also the central post office that's open throughout the day and on Saturday:

Phone and Internet

All the Internet cafés in Mombasa have phone booths but the fees for calling abroad are very high.

Wi-Fi is widespread in the city and many hotels and restaurants offer guests free access.

Cope

Governmental offices are in general open M-F 8AM-3PM, except national holidays.

Banks

Except for the central bank, banks are open M-F 9AM-3PM and 9AM-11AM on the first and last Saturday of the month. Currency can be exchanged in all banks. You can get money from ATMs using Visa and Mastercard credit cards. If you have a Maestro debit card you can use it at the ATMs too provided you have notified your bank of your trip to Kenya.

  • All ABSA' and Standard Chartered Banks' ATMs have a Ksh 700 fee for overseas ATM cards.

Veterinary clinics

If you travel with a pet, there is one veterinary clinic in Mvita and two in Kisauni.

Houses of worship

The majority of Mombasa's inhabitants are Christians and there is also a large Muslim minority. Adherents to these religions will not have difficulties finding houses of worship. Moreover, there are many Hindu temples in the city.

The most important Christian churches are:

  • 🌍 Holy Ghost Cathedral, Nyerere Rd, ☏ +254 41 2318443, +254 735 112288. Catholic cathedral with masses in English and Swahili. 
  • 🌍 Mombasa Memorial Cathedral, Nkrumah Rd, ☏ +254 41 2230502. Anglican cathedral. 
  • 🌍 JCC Glass Cathedral, JCC Road, Bamburi (behind Haller Park). A temple of the Evangelical Church Jesus Celebration Center. With 30,000 seats it is the largest Evangelical church building in East Africa. 
  • 🌍 MCK Westey Church, Koinage Rd. The largest Methodist church in Kenya. 
  • 🌍 Mombasa Pentecostal Church, Jomo Kenyatta Ave. The largest Pentecostal church in Kenya. 

Consulates

Stay healthy

Consult the safety guidelines for Kenya for general safety suggestions.

The area of Mombasa has about 60 healthcare establishments from hospitals to small clinics. Some of them also have a center for control and prevention of diseases in cooperation with the U.S. governmental agency Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. See also Department of Health - Mombasa County.

In Mvita

Mombasa's major hospitals including Kenya's second largest public hospital, Coast Grand Hospital, are situated in Mvita. In addition to the maternity section "Lady Grigg", this hospital also specializes in otolaryngology, ophthalmology and odontology. It has modern equipment and a laboratory and pharmacy that are open 24 hours. The public hospitals in Port Reitz and Likoni are smaller sub units of the Coast General Hospital.

In Changamwe

In Kisauni
  • 🌍 Salama Medical Clinic, Old Malindi Road, Kisauni. Private clinic. 
  • 🌍 Sayyidah Fatima Municipal Hospital, Old Malindi Road, Kisauni. Private clinic. 
  • 🌍 Bombolulu Pharmacy, Old Malindi Road, Kisauni, ☏ +254 731 602229. 

In Likoni

Medical flights

Opticians

Stay safe

Emergency number: 112

Several countries have issued warnings that the city centre is not safe during the night, that car-jacking is widespread and that robberies after sunset at the beaches can occur. Use common sense and a healthy dose of scepticism for your surroundings.

If you want to go out at night in pubs or restaurants always take a taxi, not on foot or motorbike taxi or tuktuk.

As elsewhere in Africa it's badly regarded — if not outright prohibited — to take photos or film airports, banks, military areas, police stations, troops or police officers without authorization. In general you should ask people if you may take photos of them. When walking, watch out for pickpockets and don't show off expensive electronics. When driving, keep the car doors locked both in daytime and nighttime.

The police is present on public places, especially in areas frequented by tourists like Mvita and the beaches. Public areas like the airport, post offices, banks, and malls. are guarded by security guards. Similarly, upper-class homes and apartment buildings are also guarded around the clock.

Following the intervention by the Kenyan military in Somalia, the terrorist organization Al Shabaab has committed several attacks in the country, some of them in Mombasa. In July 2014, two female tourists were murdered in separate incidents. A Russian tourist was killed in a hit and run attack in front of the Shia Sheri Mosque in the Old Town. Another female tourist was shot and killed in the Kibokoni area. The identity of the attackers are not known.

If you are sitting at an outside terrace, do not sit next to the road. You should also avoid riding matatus, immediately leave areas with ongoing demonstrations of any kind, and never visit the slums without a guide. Before exploring the city on your own, you should ask the hotel staff which areas are safe.

Go next

Nearby

Some points of interest, less than 50 km from central Mombasa, can be visited on day trips.

  • 🌍 The sacred forests of the Mijikenda are inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site list, and located about 30km north of Mombasa.
  • There are two elephant sanctuaries near Mombasa: 🌍 Shimba Hills National Reserve and 🌍 Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary.
  • Diani Beach - the number one beach in Kenya with a lot of beach resorts and with a primate conservation center, about 35 km south of Mombasa. 70 km south is the Msambweni Beach, a touristically untouched part of the coast.
  • 🌍 Rabai Museum (Krapf Memorial Museum) (15 km northwest of Mombasa). Hosted in the first church built in Kenya, this museum shows the activities of the 19th-century Christian missionaries in the country, in particular Johann Krapf who translated the Bible to Swahili. It is one of the National Museums of Kenya. 
  • 🌍 Jumba Ruins at Mtwapa (20 km northeast of Mombasa). Ruins of a 14th-century village, of which there are no written records. As some of the ruins have functioned as mosques and remains of Chinese porcelain has been found, archeologists believe it has been a trading outpost mainly inhabited by Muslims. The Monsoon restaurant at the beach of Jumba Ruins is definitively worth a visit and a good place to rest after the walk in the ruins. (updated Sep 2016)

Further away
  • Voi 153 km (2 hr by car) - Tsavo East National Park. From Voi it's a little over 100 km to Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, located in Tanzania.
  • Malindi 116 km (2 hr by car, bus or matatu) - beach activities, the Vasco da Gama pillar where the Portuguese explorer landed
  • Lamu 336 km (5 hr by car, 1 hour by plane) - colonial beach town inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list
  • Nairobi 525 km (7 hr by car, 5 hr by train, 45 min by plane) - Kenya's capital has museums and gardens to visit.
  • Tanga Tanzania 173 km by bus, 4 hours. (Tahmeed, Emirates, Samba buses)
  • Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 515 km (12 hr by bus, 35 min plane) - the former Tanzanian capital offers museums, beaches and markets

Long distance busses all have a booking office in Mombasa Road. Matatus also leave in that area.

Matatus to northern towns like Malindi leave at the Malindi Kilifi bus terminal close to New Nyali Bridge.


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