Tourist Attractions in Mombasa
White Sandy Beaches
Tourist Attractions in Mombasa feature several beautiful beaches that are popular safari destinations for different exciting tourist activities, these white sandy beaches in Mombasa are categorized into north coast and south coast beaches, these palm-lined beaches with crystal clear waters and coral reefs provide the most exciting and relaxed adventurous moments with a profusion of resorts, water sports, entertainment venues and beach bungalows enjoyed by tourists and thus act as the major Tourist Attraction in Mombasa, the north coast beaches are a little livelier with close proximity to the airport and Mombasa city than the south with the Mombasa marine national park featuring here with multi-hued coral gardens, drop-offs, and Kenya’s best wreck diving on the MV Dania and other beaches like the Nyali Beach, Bamburi Beach and Shanzu Beach. The south coast provides a world of natural beauty with sun-bleached beaches of rustling palms and rain forests full of abundant wildlife and birds that skirt this idyllic stretch of coast plus coral reefs, the beaches include Diani Beach, Tiwi, and Shelly beaches.
Fort Jesus
Fort Jesus is one of the major Tourist Attraction in Mombasa, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Mombasa’s top tourist attractions built-in 1593 to 1596 by the Portuguese with a fine display the 16th-century Portuguese military architecture in the shape of man. Fort Jesus has exhibitions of the wide collection of ceramics and pottery reflecting the various cultures that traded along the coast, within the compounds are many fascinating battlements and derelict buildings, including Omani house, a building with Omani jewelry and displays on Swahili life.
Old Town
On the southeast side of Mombasa Island is the Old Town a reminiscent of the days when the Portuguese ruled this important port, the Old town’s inhabitants are mostly of Arabs, Asians, and European origins, and the architecture reflects their different cultures. Ornately carved doors and balconies adorn the old buildings that jostle cheek to jowl along the narrow streets, great for history buffs.
Haller Park
Haller Park is among the Tourist Attractions in Mombasa, it is a nature safari park for bird enthusiasts and animal lovers located off Mombasa- Malindi road in Bamburi that comprises of fish farm area, the giraffe viewing platform, Game sanctuary, palm garden, crocodile pens and reptiles area, it is home to a vivid range of wildlife such as buffaloes, giraffes, hippos and antelopes, several other smaller mammals and birds. Don’t forget the famous inter-species couple who became an internet sensation after the 130-year-old tortoise Mzee, adopted Owen, an orphaned hippo.
About a 15-minute drive from Haller Park is the Nguuni Wildlife Sanctuary, with giraffes, ostriches, eland, oryx, and many species of birds, offers more wildlife-viewing opportunities. It’s also one of the most popular picnic sites in Mombasa.
Mombasa Marine National Park
One other Tourist Attraction in Mombasa you shouldn’t miss visiting is the Mombasa Marine National Park, This is one of the busiest of Kenya’s offshore reserves that protect mangroves, seagrass beds, sandy beaches, and coral reef, Diving, and snorkeling are popular which offer sightings of marine life such as seahorses, stingrays, eels, and many different fish species.
Mombasa Tusks
A famous landmark in the city, the Mombasa Tusks were built to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Mombasa in 1952. Constructed of aluminium, the tusks mark the entrance to the heart of town where visitors will find most of the banks, shops, and markets. The intersecting tusks also form the letter “M” for Mombasa.
Mamba Village Center
Mamba Village Centre in Nyali is East Africa’s largest crocodile farm, the village also has a botanical garden with an aquarium, orchids and aquatic plants are the specialty but the gardens also display carnivorous species, Visitors can learn about the life cycle and behavior of these fascinating amphibians.
Shimba Hills National Reserve
Shimba Hills National Reserve is the perfect Tourist Attraction in Mombasa of a quiet getaway from the commercial hub of the city on an island in Lake Victoria, the reserve is home to a number of endangered plant species, birds and animals, Visitors will be taken aback by the sheer beauty of the surroundings, which boast enchanting waterfalls, woodlands, savanna, lily-top ponds, and rich rain forest. Wildlife to the view includes elephants, antelopes, sometimes spot a leopard and abundant bird life.
Gedi Ruins
The Gedi ruins that lie to the North coast of Mombasa towards the town of Malindi lays are one of the most historic ruins found in Mombasa. Built of rocks, Gedi was a small town that was inhabited by a few thousand Swahili people. Preserved as a National Museum it presents itself as a historical Arab-African town which is one of the many remnants of the gone era and many paths in the ruins lead visitors through to track Gedi’s Dated Tomb, Gedi’s Tomb Of the Fluted Pillar, the Great Mosque, Gedi’s Palace, Annexe, house Of The cowries as well as houses Of the Porcelain Bowl, the Paneled Walls, Mosque of the long conduit, houses of the Ivory Box, the Iron Lamp, the Venetian Bead, the Sunken Court, the Long The court, house On the Wall, house of the Dhow and also the house of the double dourt, great for history avids.
Marikiti Spice market
This market, which stretches along Nehru and Langoni Rds west of the Old Town, is an evocative, sensory overload with lots of jostling, yelling, wheeling, dealing and of course, the exotic scent of the stall upon stall of cardamom, pepper, turmeric and curry powders as well as stalls along Langoni Rd selling delicious street food. Other markets to visit include the Maasai market for unique paintings and souvenirs or shop clothes in kongwea.
Bombolulu Workshops and Cultural Centre
This workshop and cultural center is a project of the Association for the Physically Disabled, the cultural center offers a bit of the culture and traditions in Mombasa, visitors can enjoy tribal dance performances and explore traditionally homesteads found throughout Kenya. The workshops offer the handcrafted souvenirs which include jewelry, textiles, wood carving, and leather crafts at purchase that helps sustain the center’s work.