Mombasa Kenya Ultimate Guide

Mombasa Kenya is one of the most essential cities to visit while on your trip to the country. Situated on the Indian Ocean is Kenya's oldest and second-largest city and one of the most important if not the most important city in Kenya.

Mombasa or Mombassa, the exotic paradise in the African tropics, guarantees its visitors that they will never get bored. The city is filled with fun activities that will get everyone excited. 

Being the second largest city in Kenya, Mombasa is one of its major tourism centres. Modern Mombasa is a diverse city, where everyone is welcomed and absorbed into this great coastal city, where numbers of shopping districts, restaurants, lively nightlife are catered. 

Know more about Mombasa, one of the best places to visit in Kenya.

Fast Check 

Best Time to Visit

The water temperature is quite comfortable even during the cooler months, serving the aquatic activities of the city. In addition, the sunshine hours vary a little throughout the year, ranging from seven to nine hours. 

The end of August to October is a perfect time for anglers to catch a yellowfin tuna. For scuba divers and snorkelers, October to March is the best time to discover the marine life of Kenya. 

Beach hotels reduce their prices during the long and short rain period from April to June and November with the first 3 weeks of December. The peak seasons start from January, February and from July through October.

Where to Stay in Mombasa 

Luxury Hotels

1- Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa: On the beautiful Bamburi Beach, Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa features four swimming pools, tennis courts and a PADI dive center.

2- Serena Beach Resort & Spa: Escape to the peaceful beachfront escape. This hotel fits the bill and offers family rooms with free breakfast. 

3- Voyager Beach Resort: It offers great value of Mombasa Beach, featuring multiple pools, kids club and water sports. 

Mid-Range Hotels

1- Severin Sea Lodge: Lying on Bamburi Beach, the lodge offers thatched bungalows and two lovely swimming pools.

2- Travellers Beach Hotel & Club: It is a value-packed hotel with warm and friendly service. You would like to stay there.

3- Bahari Beach Hotel: The rooms offer guests great views into coral cliffs along Nyali Beach.

Budget Hotels

1- BEST WESTERN PLUS Creekside Hotel: Near Nyali Beach and Fort Jesus, it overlooks Tudor Creek, with Swahili accents. It is a perfect spot for those who want access to both attractions.

2- Kenya Bay Beach Hotel: It features a sweeping Bamburi beachfront location, offering a great value.

3- Kahama Hotel: It offers bright spacious rooms overlooking the white-sand shores. 

Things to Do in Mombasa Kenya

The city of Mombasa is known for its exotic beaches and luxurious hotels, being a coastal city. However, it is not limited to beach activities. Here are things to do while being in Mombasa. 

1- Mombasa Beaches

You can’t miss the tropical beaches in Mombasa Kenya. It has several beautiful beaches that are popular for sun-bathing, swimming, walking or relaxing. Diani beach, Bamburi beach and Nyali beach are three fantastic beaches with great hotels and eateries along the shore. 

2- Fort Jesus

The UNESCO World Heritage site was constructed by the Portuguese in 1593-1596 and was designed by the Italian architect Cairti, making it a great attraction for visitors to enjoy. 

The Fort reflects the Portuguese military architecture, being built in the shape of a man. It is where you can enjoy a collection of ceramics and pottery that reflect the various cultures. 

Within the compound, there are amazing battlements and derelict buildings, including Omani house, a building with Omani jewelry and displays on Swahili life.

3- Walk around Mombasa Old Town

Strolling into the old town is a great way to meet people from different cultures. Most of the current residents are Asians, Arabs and Europeans. It is also a way of discovering the narrow streets bordered by old buildings. 

It is a local experience where you can go shopping at one of the many shops that sell antiques, souvenirs, fragrance oils and spices and have a bite at one of the cafes around. 

4- Go Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

Marine activities are a joyful experience in Mombasa Kenya. Kayaking and swimming are held every day on the beaches. Those who want to experience a more adventurous activity can go scuba diving and snorkeling. 

The Mombasa Marine National Park offers such services where visitors can see mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs. They can also meet stingrays, lionfish seahorses and eels.

5- Mamba Village Center

See East Africa’s largest crocodile farm at Mamba Village Center and get to learn about these fascinating reptiles. In addition, take a horseback ride and enjoy the amazing botanical garden and its aquarium. 

The garden exhibits orchids, aquatic plants along with carnivorous species. One of the great experiences is watching crocodiles fighting for food. 

6- Haller Park 

Haller park is a hit for bird enthusiasts and animal lovers. It is a great experience for family and friends where wildlife exhibitions of giraffes, Cape buffaloes, zebras, waterbucks and hippos can be seen. More than 160 species of birds reside in the park. 

7- Trip By Dhow to Wasini Island

Wasini Island lies south of Mombasa and has an area of only five square kilometres. It is very popular to take a dhow trip from Mombasa. It is exciting to see dolphins cruising by along the way. It is a great idea to stop and snorkel near the coral reefs. 

Besides, the trip provides a cultural experience since ancient Swahili villages lie around. Discover the Shimoni Caves which is thought to have held slaves before shipment to Arabia. Finally, stop by Wasini Island for a seafood pleasure.

8- Shimba Hills National Reserve

For those who want to escape and have a quiet gateway from the commercial hub, Shimba Hills National Park is a great way to do so. 

It is home to a number of plant species, birds and animals. Visitors will get amazed by the beauty of the surroundings and the beauty of the waterfalls, woodlands, savanna and a rich rainforest. It is a must live experience to witness elephants, leopards and sable antelopes.

9- Mombasa Tusks

Built to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s visit in 1952, the Mombasa Tusks are a very famous landmark in the city. The tusks are constructed of aluminium and mark the entrance to the centre of the town, where visitors find most of the banks, shops, and markets. 

10- Mombasa Go-Kart

Mombasa Go-Kart is suitable for all ages. Enjoy a smooth concrete track in go-karts and bounce around on the off-board buggies. After this, one can enjoy a smack at a family friendly restaurant with activities like playing computer games, enjoying the playground, watching the big screen of sporting events.