Mombasa – Detailed Travel Guide by Flightlink

Mombasa is one of the most breathtaking tourist locations in Kenya as it allows tourists to get away from the crowds, and experience the unmatched beauty of the region. Here is a detailed travel guide for Mombasa, brought to you by Flightlink!

1. Best time to go

The best time to go to Mombasa is from July to October, as this offers ideal weather with bright sunshine and clear skies. Safaris are excellent, without any interruption for rains. In November, the sun stays up the longest so tourists can enjoy longer days and more activities.

2. How to reach

Mombasa is accessible by air, train, and road. Tourists can take a train from Nairobi, which is around 300 miles away from Mombasa. They can also fly to Moi International Airport, which has well connected flights from numerous destinations all over the world. A flight from Nairobi to Mombasa takes around 45 minutes. The Airport is around 6 miles west of central Mombasa. Tourists can also book flights to Mombasa through FlightLink!

3. Food

The cuisine of the region is unique, as it offers a blend of Arabic, African, Portuguese, and Indian tastes. Tourists can enjoy fresh seafood, such as crab, lobster, and countless species of fish. Top restaurants include Tamarind Dhow, Zain’s barbecue house, Forodhani Restaurant, Imani Dhow Restaurant, and Ali Barbour’s Cave Restaurant! The street food is also delicious as tourists can try dishes such as Viazi Karai (potato nuggets), Mitai (doughnuts), Mogo (grilled cassava), Mishkaki (meat skewers), Vibibi (rice pancakes), and Mikate ya nyama (meat pies). One can wash it down with fresh fruit juices and mouth watering local drinks.

4. Top places

Mombasa is home to a number of amazing tourist locations that everyone must visit.

1. At Old Town, tourists can take a walking tour to explore the architecture and learn about the history of the British, the Portuguese and the Omani Arabs.
2. At Fort Jesus, one can see 16th Century Portuguese military architecture, the Omani House, Indian pottery, Chinese artifacts, 18th and 19th century bronze cannons, and archeological finds from the coast, and Swahili displays. Built in the 1590s by the Portuguese, the fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
3. Haller Park is full of breathtaking flora and fauna, as well as stunning animals such as monkeys, eland, hippos, giraffes and oryx, snakes and crocodiles.
4. One can also go to Jumba la Mtwana Ruins, the remains of the small Swahili town that dates back to the fourteenth century, and is home to ancient structures, a mosque, and interesting archeological relics.
5. At Shimba hills National Reserve, one of the largest coastal forests in East Africa, tourists can see elephants, antelopes, elephant shrew, and mongooses.
6. Visitors can also take a trip to Nguuni Nature sanctuary to find oryx, giraffes, elands, and waterbucks. They can also visit the small lakes in the wetlands!
7. History lovers can visit the ruins of Gede, to see the ancient mosques, houses, and a palace, all made from stone with stone pillars.
8. At the stunning Bamburi beach, tourists enjoy water sports, play beach games such as volleyball and football, or go diving or deep sea fishing!
9. This tranquil and pristine Nyali beach is an excellent tourist destination for enjoying calming activities such as picnics, sunbathing, walks, and yoga. One can also partake in boating, swimming, surfing, diving, and snorkeling!

5. Top tips

Here are some top tips that travelers should keep in mind during their visit.

1. Mosquitoes are common in Kenya, so tourists should carry preventative medicine, and get themselves vaccinated. It is a good idea to pack mosquito and insect repellant, and wear full sleeves to avoid getting bitten.
2. The tap water is not of good quality so one should always carry and drink bottled water. It is also recommended to use it while brushing teeth.
3. English and Swahili are the two official languages of Mombasa. Visitors should try to learn some common daily-use phrases in Swahili, such as Jambo (Hello), Ahsante (Thank you), and Poa (okay).