10 Best Places to Visit in Mombasa

Mombasa is one of the most stunning regions in the world. Here, tourists can interact with friendly locals, try the delicious local cuisine, learn about the archeological and colonial history of the region, buy souvenirs at busy marketplaces, or explore breathtaking views of nature. Here are the ten best places for travel lovers to visit in Mombasa. 

• Fort Jesus

Visitors can take a trip to Fort Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and holds artifacts from the slave trade and the british colonial era. It was built in the 1590s by the Portuguese to protect against the Ottomans, so tourists can find 16th Century Portuguese military architecture, or visit museums to see African and Indian pottery, Chinese artifacts, 18th and 19th century bronze cannons, Arabic military equipment, and archeological finds. 

• Mombasa Marine Park

Mombasa marine national park is an amazing tourist spot as one can enjoy exciting activities such as windsurfing, water skiing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. With scenic views of the crystalline water, lush greenery, and the white sandy beach, Mombasa marine national park is an ideal tourist spot as one can find crabs, starfish, stone fish, sea urchins, and sea turtles, and the coral reef. 

• Shimba Hills Forest Reserve

Shimba hills is one of the largest coastal forests in East Africa, and is one of the top-rated spots for tourists. Rich in flora and fauna, it is home to animals such as the African elephant, Sable antelope, elephant shrew, bushy tailed mongoose and fruit bats. It is also excellent for bird watching as tourists can spot Spurfowl, Croaking Cisticola and Zanzibar Red Bishop.                                      

• Nyali Beach

The tranquil and pristine Nyali beach is an excellent tourist destination for enjoying calming activities such as picnics, sunbathing, beach walks, and yoga. The views of the ocean are stunning, and tourists can partake in activities such as boating, swimming, surfing, diving, snorkeling, sunbathing, picnics, spa holidays, deep sea fishing, angrove walks, yoga, and beach games such as volleyball and football. Tourists can explore the stunning underwater world and find marine animals such as crabs, starfish, stone fish, sea urchins, sea turtles, and the colorful coral reef. 

• Jumba la Mtwana Ruins

Jumba la Mtwana Ruins are the remains of the small Swahili town that was deserted around 500 years ago. The ruined village dates back to the fourteenth century, and is home to ancient structures, a mosque, and interesting archeological relics.  

• Nguuni Nature Sanctuary

Nguuni Nature sanctuary, home to stunning wildlife including giraffes, elands, oryx, and waterbucks, as well as beautiful birdlife. The wetlands have small lakes where tourists can enjoy bird watching, while the grassland offers scenic views of the greenery. 

• Haller Park

Haller park is a nature park in Mombasa where tourists can enjoy watching animals such as zebras, hippos, waterbucks, giraffes, tortoises, bushpigs, elands, oryxes, cape buffalos, snakes, monkeys, antelopes, and crocodiles. It is also home to a variety of fish, birds, insects and plants. Tourists can enjoy the extraordinary experience of feeding the giraffes!

• Wild Waters

Wild Waters is a must-see park for tourists as they can enjoy water slides, and water sports. The food courts offer delicacies from all over the world, and one can visit the coffee shop. 

• Mamba Village Centre

This is the largest crocodile farm in Africa, as it is home to over 1000 crocodiles. It is also home to Big Daddy, a large Crocodile that is over 100 years old and weighs around 800kgs! Here, tourists can also enjoy horseback rides, visit a botanical garden, or observe a great aquarium which has a wide variety of colorful fish and water plants.

• Diani Beach

Mombasa has many stunning beaches, with white sands, lush greenery, and scenic views of the Indian Ocean. Tourists can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, picnics, diving, spa holidays, deep sea fishing, surfing, boat rides, mangrove walks, yoga, snorkeling, and beach games such as volleyball and football, and can explore the stunning underwater world and find marine animals such as crabs, starfish, stone fish, sea urchins, and sea turtles, as well as the extraordinary coral reef.