Mombasa is the second-largest city of Kenya and offers the travel junkies an exotic taste of African tropic which is steeped in centuries of seafaring history of the city. This place could be considered as the cosmopolitan hub of Kenya, however, at the same time, Mombasa also happens to be a major tourist attraction in the country. There are a number of amazing tourist places and locations that are surely going to catch your attention while you are touring around beautiful Mombasa. The following are the top 12 things to see and do in the city.
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Fort Jesus
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Fort Jesus is one of the major tourist attractions of the city. This fort was built in the year 1593 to 1596 by the Portuguese. The place is known to be a UNESCO World Heritage site and gathers a huge footfall, especially of all the history lovers. The structure of this fort was designed by Italian architect Cairati and this architecture is known to be one of the finest examples of the military architecture of the Portuguese in the 16th century.
Haller Park
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Haller Park of Mombasa is a great visit for all the animal lovers. This park was formerly called Bamburi Nature Trail. The project was introduced in the year 1971 and today it happens to be one of the most amazing tourist attractions which are also a thriving nature reserve and a habitat of a number of animals. The wildlife of Haller Park includes giraffes, zebras, cape buffaloes, hippos, etc. Not only this, there are more than 160 species of the birds in this national park
Mombasa Marine National Park
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This place is one of the busiest offshore reserves of Kenya and happens to be a major tourist attraction among all the travelers. The Mombasa Marine National Park protects seagrass beds, mangroves, sandy beaches, and the coral reef. All the adventure junkies are surely going to have a good time here as the national park also hosts activities such as snorkeling and diving. You can also spot a number of beautiful and exotic marine creatures here. Marine Park of Mombasa is very much accessible from the beaches like Nyali, Bamburi, and Shanzu.
Mamba Village
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Mamba Village is situated in Nyali and happens to be one of the largest crocodile farms in East Africa. The village hosts daily tours of the tourists along with the farm and a separate playground for the kids to enjoy when they fall prey to boredom. This place makes an ideal getaway for the weekend of the locals as well. The major highlight of the tour at Mamba village is the feeding time of the crocodiles when all of them start fighting for food.
North Coast Beaches
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The north coast beaches of Mombasa are worth a visit. These beaches are known to be livelier than the beaches present on the south coast of the city. There are beautiful palm-lined beaches having crystal clear waters, coral reefs as well as a profusion of water sports for all the adventure-lovers. This is the same area where you would spot the Mombasa Marine National Park. The first stop of the north coast beaches of Mombasa is Nyali Beach which is then followed by Bamburi and Shanzu.
Old Town
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One of the most sought-after places of Mombasa for the tourists is the Old Town which is nothing but a reminiscent of the days when the Portuguese had their rule in the city. The inhabitants of this town are mostly Asian, Arab, and European origin and the beautiful architecture truly reflects their respective culture. If you have a taste for beautiful and unique architecture, you are surely going to love this place as it is all about ornately carved doors, balconies, narrow streets, etc. You can also have a good time while shopping here.
South Coast Beaches
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The South Coast beaches of Mombasa are the epitome of natural beauty. The beautiful turquoise seas lap the amazingly sun-bleached beaches which makes a favorable spot for the tourists at large. The south coast beaches of Mombasa are also home to rainforests with abundant wildlife and birds. Shelly Beach is known to be the closest beach to Mombasa on the south coast, further followed by Tiwi Beach and Diani Beach respectively.
Masai Market
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Wake up the shopaholic in you by visiting the amazing Masai Market of Mombasa which entertains a lot of offerings for all the tourists and travelers. Here, you will find a variety of beautiful local artifacts and souvenir, hence you will urge yourself to take all of them to your home. There are beautiful wood carvings, unique paintings and much more to look for. This market is located at Nakumatt Nyali’s parking lot and gives you an amazing shopping experience for sure.
Mombasa Tusks
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Mombasa Tusks is known to be one of the most famous landmarks in the city. These tusks were built to commemorate the visit of Queen Elizabeth in Mombasa which took place in the year 1952. These tusks are one of a kind and are constructed using aluminum. These tusks form the entrance to the heart of the town. These interesting tusks form the letter ‘M’ of Mombasa. The visitors will also find a number of shops, banks, and markets in this area.
Bombolulu Coast Workshop and Cultural Centre
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Bombolulu Workshops is a project of Association for the Physically Disabled in Kenya with four different sheltered workshops, a cultural center as well as a restaurant. The visitors can have the time of their lives by enjoying amazing tribal dance performances at this place. At the same time, they can explore some of the most beautiful traditional homesteads found in the country. The guests can also visit the workshops organized here to purchase some of the amazing pieces of art such as wood carving, leather crafts, textiles, and much more.
Mombasa Go-Kart
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Make the most of the go-karting experience at the Mombasa Go-Kart and get ready to hit with speedsters as well as kids of all ages. This place gives you a lot of things to zoom around and explore. There is a smooth concrete track for go-karts, off-road buggies, as well as a Bobcat excavator. After making the most of exploring each section, you can simply snack on the best meals at the restaurant here. The place also has a large playground.
Jumba La Mtwana
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Jumba La Mtwana is known to be a Swahili ruined village of Mombasa that is tucked away in the Kilifi County from the city. This one serves as a picturesque tourist attraction that consists of four mosques, four houses, and a tomb. It is quite evident that this place was once lively and was mostly inhabited by the Muslims. This village happens to touch the shores of the Indian Ocean and extends up to 250 meters inland respectively. This place is a magnificent historical site for sure.
Just So You Know…
- There is no founding date of the city according to the Kenyan School Books. Old Town Mombasa began to populate itself in the 10th It is known as one of the oldest places in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Mombasa once served the capital of Kenya from 1887 to 1906. Thereafter, it was moved to Nairobi.
Get Some Culture:
- The Mombasa Carnival is known to be the biggest cultural fest of Mombasa and Kenya which is organized by the Ministry of Tourism. This event takes place in the month of November every year and is all about amazing music, dances, and costumes represented by different cultures.
- Mombasa Triathlon is one exciting sporting event which is organized in the month of September every year. This includes swimming, cycling, and running.
Grab A Bite:
- Visit the amazing Arturo’s close to the crocodile farm where you can make the most of gorging on some of the most delicious Italian delicacies and desserts. Do not forget to order flavorsome salads.
- The Blue Room Restaurant of Mombasa provides you the most delicious and authentic pizza and hence serves a paradise for all the pizza lovers.
