Mombasa.
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Overview

Mombasa with a population of 1.2 million (2019), is the second-largest city in Kenya and its main port city. It is particularly known for its warm and sunny climate, white beaches and coral reef diving.

Understand

Mombasa is Kenya's main tourist destination. It is on the eastern coastline of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean which has made it a popular destination for its beaches. Mombasa offers a diverse marine life, world-class hotels and friendly atmosphere. There is a tropical climate all year and it is a great destination filled with activities for all ages.

Mombasa is one of the oldest cities in sub-Saharan Africa, and its precise date of founding remains unknown. The first accounts of Mombasa date back to the 12th century, when the Arab geographer Al Idrisi mentioned it as a prosperous trading post in his writings. Pre-colonial Mombasa was a prosperous city state in a region of East Africa known as the Swahili Coast, which also included other city states such as Zanzibar and Kilwa Kisiwani, and a main centre for trade between Africa and the Arab World, with trade routes even going as far as India and China. At different points in history, Mombasa would be ruled by the Portuguese, Arabs and British. The city's culture today still exhibits that of its pasts. Historical ruins like Fort Jesus and the Old Town are attractions that display the history in Mombasa.

The central part of the city, Mvita, is an island in a river delta, accessed by bridges and from the south by ferries operating around the clock. It is a very cosmopolitan city, and you can see a group of Muslims wearing niqab (here known as "bui bui") and Giryama people wearing almost nothing at the same time and place.

Together with Nairobi, it is the only place in the country that has a status as both city and county.

Orientation The city of Mombasa is divided into four administrative divisions. These are clearly geographically defined and are therefore useful for orientation.

As in many other metropolises, it is difficult to distinguish the newer areas from the original city (Mvita). By 2009, 90% of the urban area was built up. And as in all major Sub-Saharan African cities, there are several shantytowns in the suburbs. The largest is Kisauni-Kongowea in Kisauni, and others include Chaani-Magongo and Miritini in Changamwe as well as Mtongwe in Likoni.

Most hotels and activities are concentrated on the island of Mvita and along the northern coast in the Kisauni division.

The climate is tropical with a major rain season between mid-April and late May and a minor wet season in October and November. Being in the Southern Hemisphere, the summer, with temperatures above 32°C, occurs in January and March. At just 4° south of the Equator, the variation in temperature is relatively small.

The first urban area was founded near what today is known as Old Town around 900 AD by a man named Sheheh Mvita. Its strategic position along the maritime route to India caused the city to be coveted by many powers, and it was a notable port for the ivory and spice trades.

Several travellers and explorers passed through the region starting no later than the 1st century, but the first written record of the city was by the Moroccan Ibn Battuta in 1330. It said Mombasa was "a very rural island without territorial dependency on the continent with mosques and forests and the inhabitants nourishing themselves on bananas and fish". On 7 April 1498, the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama arrived and stayed for six days, and this was the end of peace in this small town. Under orders of Francisco de Almeida, the Portuguese returned to pillage the village in 1505 and 1528 before capturing it in 1529. They constructed Fort Jesus in 1593, together with five smaller forts, and made Mombasa a Portuguese stronghold on the route to India. The years between 1600 and 1832 were marked by successive battles between the Portuguese and the Sultanate of Oman, who conquered it.

In 1856 the sultanate of Muscat and Oman split into two and Mombasa fell into the sphere of the sultanate of Zanzibar, of which it was part until it was conquered by Britain in 1895. Mombasa served as capital of the East Africa Protectorate from 1898-1905. During this time the city's new port and the railway to Uganda were constructed. The East Africa Protectorate was dissolved in 1920 and the area was thereafter known as the Colony and Protectorate of Kenya. Mombasa remained the capital of Kenya until the country attained independence in 1963, and has served as a provincial capital ever since.

Get in

Mombasa is an important node for all forms of transportation. It is the end of the Trans-African Route 8 from Lagos and of the railway to Uganda. It has an international airport, Moi Airport, and one of Eastern Africa's most important ports, Kilindini, which is also the main port for goods to Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda.

By plane The flight between Nairobi and Mombasa takes some 45 minutes, enough time for a cold drink and a view of the Tsavo East National Park. There are direct flights from European cities such as Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, Milan, Rome, Verona and also from Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Doha, Dubai, Entebbe, Kigali, Istanbul, Moroni, and Zanzibar.

Money exchange: At the exit from the airport to the right is an ATM, where you can withdraw Kenya Shilling with your card (ensure the card works in Kenya at your bank). This is much cheaper than cash exchange. A bank for exchange is also available at the airport.

There are three ways to get to Mombasa by boat: by private boat, cruise ship or ferry.

By private boat On Mombasa Island there are two sailing clubs open to non-members and two hotels with marinas open to non-guests.

By cruise ship Some companies offer cruises that call at Mombasa:

Oceania Cruises. Cruises on board MS Nautica.

By ferry If you are arriving overland from the south, you need to cross the river by taking the Likoni Ferry.

By train In June 2017, a new, 530-km-long railway line from Nairobi reduced the journey to about five hours. State-of-the-art rapid-trains are in use. A ticket for economy class is about Ksh 1000 while a 1st class ticket is about Ksh 3000. The difference between economy and 1st class is that seats are more spacious in first class. Kenya Railways operates several trains per day on the route.

A commuter railway connects Mombasa Terminus with the old railway terminal in central Mombasa, with a journey time of 35 minutes. Numerous taxis and minibuses are also available for onward journeys.

Buses, while not a major mode of transportation within the city, are mostly used for travelling outside the city. The major player in transportation in Mombasa City is Matatu, which are mostly 14-seater minibuses, and are quite popular amongst the residents.

(Best to take a five hour air condition express train) . bus Companies operating this route include Mash Poa, Coastbus, Dreamliner, Spanish Coach, and Modern Coast Express.

Mash Poa. Destinations: Nairobi, Kisumu, Kampala.

Coast Bus. Destinations: Nairobi, Voi.

Modern Coast. Destinations: Nairobi, Malindi, Voi, Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).

Pwani Tawakal. Destinations: Witu, Malindi, Lamu.

Dreamliner Mombasa Road. Nairobi and Malindi . Spanish Coach Mombasa Road. Nairobi . Buscar Mombasa Road. Nairobi and Malindi.

By car Kenya drives on the left and it will likely take some time to adapt to the local traffic culture. Drive in daytime only and keep the car doors locked, especially in urban areas. In Kenya foreign drivers must have an international driver's licence. These can be obtained through automobile clubs, travel agencies, or from the Road Transport Office located in the Income Tax House in Nairobi.

Most international rental agencies are present at least at Nairobi airport. From Nairobi, the distance to Mombasa is 525 km and the drive takes 6-12 hours, depending on the presence of police controls along the road, congestion on the section between Mariakani and Mombasa and the breaks you take. Voi is a good place to stop for lunch (this is also where buses stop).

From central Nairobi, take route 104 (Huhuru Highway) to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Athi River. From there route 109 to Mombasa.

Get around

The traffic will likely appear chaotic to a westerner. Traffic laws are not respected, even when police are present.

By minibus There is no regular public transportation network in the city. The closest equivalent are the aforementioned matatus (minivans) of which there are about 3500 (licensed ones have stickers on the windshields) in the city. Don't expect to be comfortable; as the drivers want to take as many passengers as possible, you will often be crammed in like a sardine. A matatu ride starts from Ksh 20 just to go 500m (2018)but count on paying double if you want a vehicle which conforms to the traffic legislation.

By tuk-tuk and motorcycle For the more adventurous there are tuk-tuks (motorized trikes with a cabin for the passengers) and boda-bodas (bicycle taxis). The latter is a rather dangerous and scary mode of getting around. You can get a Tuk-tuk to the new railway station for Ksh250 per person. or 300m from the airport for ksh200 per person.

By taxi Official and unofficial taxis are also available. Taxis don't have taxi signs on the roof, but license papers stuck to the windshields. The ride is in general paid beforehand after some negotiation and you can expect the driver to stop at a service station to fill up just the necessary amount to get you to your destination. A much cheaper alternative to regular taxis are the shuttle services Uber, Taxify, Little , Mondo Ride, MaraMoja. The shared taxi is a door-to-door service, meaning you will be collected from your current accommodation in Mombasa, Kilifi or Watamu and dropped directly at your next accommodation in Diani.

By car It is also possible to rent a car with or without a driver. one day) with taxi drivers. Do this only after a "test ride", as taxi drivers are not always knowledgeable of the city.

Kenya Red Cross. The local Red Cross office tweets real time information about accidents, demonstrations and other things that may interrupt traffic.

By train A commuter train connects central Mombasa with the Mombasa terminus railway station via the city's western suburbs. Apart from connecting with the railway terminus it has limited value to tourists.

See

Considering Mombasa's action-filled history, surprisingly there are only a handful of sights. The nature and a slew of different activities is what makes Mombasa interesting for visitors. In addition to these, there are a couple of sights within 20-30 km north, west and south of Mombasa. These are listed under #Go next.

Fort Jesus. Fort Jesus is the most popular destination in Mombasa. Built between 1593 and 1596 by the Portuguese to protect the port against the Ottomans, this fort was in military use for over three centuries. It got its name from the Portuguese fleet sailing under the flag of the Order of Christ (Ordem de Nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo). The fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. Fort Jesus holds artifacts from when Mombasa was a transit port for the slave trade. There are torture rooms, cells, and many other displays from the 16th century. During the British period the fort functioned as a prison and today part of the cells are used as a museum. Many exhibits come from the Portuguese frigate Santo António de Tanna that sank in 1697, including African and Indian pottery, Chinese china, different objects used by the crew and two bronze cannons. Another part of the collection is dedicated to archeological finds from the Kenyan coast. Moreover there are Arabic military equipment, musical instruments and a series of cannons from the 18th and 19th centuries. In the small park next to the entrance there is a 105-mm cannon that belonged to the Imperial German Navy.The Butterfly House is right next to Fort Jesus, so very easy to incorporate into a trip round the Fort and Old Town, but also well worth a visit on its own. Although small, is packed with both beautiful and interesting creatures. You can view butterflies from their larval stage to grown ups. See also evidences of slave trade and an amphitheatre that's being restored. Have a nice view of the LA marina. There is also a small shop.

Fort St Joseph. Close to the golf course near Mama Ngina Drive, this ruin is probably the oldest fortress on the island built by Arabs. It stood when Vasco Da Gama first came to Mombasa. It is not really impressive but it's a nice viewpoint too and worth a visit.

Old town. Along Tudor Creek north of Fort Jesus, these districts make up the original city. It is an example of typical Swahili architecture with a much more peaceful ambience than the rest of the city. Much of it has been converted into souvenir shops and restaurants and here you can find artisanal stores selling silver jewellery and small furniture. If you are afraid of getting lost among the small streets or don't want to miss anything, there are guides at the esplanade of Fort Jesus that can show you around the old town for Ksh 1000. A nice place to explore on a Sunday when much of the city is closed down.

The tusks of Moi Avenue. The tusks were built in 1956 to welcome Princess Margaret, who was visiting Mombasa town. Today they are some of the most characteristic landmarks of Mombasa. They are located at the entrance to the city and not made of ivory as is sometimes thought, but of steel. The tusks form an M (which stands for Mombasa).

Leven House. In the 19th century this building was the headquarters of the British Navy's anti-slavery campaigns in the region. It is named after a British warship. Later the building has been used by missionaries, a shipping company and as a consulate. There is a restaurant in the building.

Holy Ghost Cathedral. The neo-Gothic building right in downtown is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa and a visible landmark.

Hindu temples. Thanks to its Indian community Mombasa has several beautiful Hindu temples (mandirs) to visit. Visitors are able to go inside the temple accompanied by a guide from the temple. Inside there are artifacts, idols and cultural pictures and paintings.

Shri Kutch Satsang Temple. Constructed in 1957, it is the oldest mandir of Swaminarayan Hinduism outside India.

New Dwarikadham Temple. This complex of 8100 m² serves the Krishna Consciousness community and includes a vegetarian restaurant.

Lord Shiva Temple. Sikh temple worth visiting thanks to its gardens.

Mangrove of Tudor Creek. It is possible to visit the mangrove forests of the Kombeni and Tsalu rivers which form the Tudor Creek. To do that, ask a fisherman at Cape Kiberamni or Junda Creek to take you there.

Haller Park. A zoological garden of about 75 hectares created in 1985 on the site of a formal coral reef. Animals include giraffes, hippos, monkeys, and reptiles. The park has two famous animals: Owen and Mzee. The former is a hippopotamus that was orphanized by the tsunami of 2004 and the second a tortoise that "adopted" the young hippo to the astonishment of the scientists. The best time to visit is between 14:00 and 15:00 when the animals are fed. Guides speak English, Spanish, French and other languages. Watch out for the monkeys, they are numerous and appear friendly but do occasionally bite.

Nguuni Sanctury. The Nguuni Nature sanctuary is 4 km from Lafarge Bamburi Cement on the Nguu Tatu Hills and is the home to many animal, like giraffes, elands, oryx, waterbucks, ostriches and many different birds. It is a very good place to experience nature and safari feeling on foot. The wetlands with small lakes are an interesting place for bird watchers, who have the opportunity to observe many different species of birds. Large Doum Palm crowned by Leopard Orchids are scattered in the grassland. It is also a wonderful place for a nice afternoon with friends or family or just for a long walk followed by a sundowner. You can book the barbecue place for Ksh 2,000 for private parties. For Ksh 1200 you can hire a safari vehicle for 1-1.5 hours for animal watching. Transport entrance to the picnic area: Ksh 250.

Bamburi Forest Trails. Beautiful, mostly flat terrain for walking, cycling and running with routes from 3.5 to 10 km marked with small coloured wooden arrows. There is a children's playground, fitness trail, archery, cycle track and (vintage) bicycles for hire. It is a diverse ecosystem with beautiful flora, ponds, monkeys and butterflies, and it is pleasantly cool in the shade of the trees. It is a recreational hideout in the tidy jungle. You can also just sit and listen to the sounds of the bush or take a walk in the shade of the trees. Please note: It is not allowed to bring plastic bottles.

Mamba Village & Lunar Park. A park of 20 hectares whose principal attraction is a farm with around 10,000 crocodiles. There is horseback and camel riding and the park also has a restaurant and a bar. The best time to visit is around 5PM when the crocodiles are fed. Next to the crocodile farm is a lunar park with several attractions for kids

Krapf Memorial. This 19th-century monument memorialises the German explorer and missionary Johann Ludwig Krapf who became the first European to see Mount Kenya with the help of the Kamba people.

Mbaraki Pillar. The Mbaraki Pillar is a historic tower monument made of coral stone, approximately 14 metres high. It is considered the second-oldest historic monument in Mombasa after Fort Jesus and is a listed national monument. The hollow tower is also known locally as Mnarani (‘place of the tower’). Whilst an adjacent mosque dates back to the 15th century (c. 1400–1450), the construction of the tower itself is dated to around 1700. Unlike other pillar-like structures on the Swahili Coast, it is not a burial site. Its actual purpose – whether as a landmark, a lighthouse or a ritualised structure – remains a matter of historical debate. In local Swahili and Giriama culture, the tower is regarded as the dwelling place of powerful spirits (mzimu or panga). The site is still used today for spiritual ceremonies. Visitors offer incense (ubani), rose water or small food offerings to seek healing, fertility or protection.

Mombasa was a military base during both world wars, and there are two military cemeteries:

Commonwealth War Cemetery Mbaraki. The final resting place for 197 Commonwealth soldiers of which 51 died in World War I and 146 in World War II, plus two French soldiers.

Commonwealth War Cemetery Manyimbo. Graves of 225 Commonwealth soldiers and two other soldiers from World War II.

Do

Even as the 13½ km of white sand beaches along the coast would tempt you to do nothing but bathing in the sun and the sea, Mombasa also offers other kinds of activities. All beaches in Kisauni offer camel rides and on Jomo Kenyatta Public Beach in Bamburi you can rent bikes too. There are also guided walks on the beaches.

There are 3 main beaches north of Mombasa. First is Nyali Beach which is frequented mostly by locals as the water quality is not very good due to the closeness to the town that has no functioning waste water treatment plants. The next is Bamburi Beach. It's a very nice beach with many hotels, resorts, pubs, apartments, shops and beach boys and beach girls looking for tourist company or to sell all kinds of souvenirs. The beach is frequented a lot by locals and tourists. It's the most lively beach of Mombasa with good night live too. Shanzu Beach is the most scenic beach of Mombasa and less frequented than Bamburi Beach. Day and night life is there but less than at Bamburi beach. Further to the North are the beaches of Mtwapa.

Wild Waters Amusement Park. Water amusement park with 15 different toboggans. On hot days this is a good place to cool yourself. The water park is reportedly modern and clean. Other activities on site include a gaming arcade, a "disco arena" and several theme rides as well as food court.

Mombasa Marine National Park and Marine Reserve. For divers the main attraction is the Leven coral reef in the Mombasa Marine National Park and Marine Reserve. Including reef crest habitats of the Bamburi-Nyali fringing reef and a part of the lagoon, this is the Kenya's most popular marine park. It has an area of 10 km2 and is part of a larger reserve of 200 km2. There are three wrecks that can be visited.

Bouccaner Diving. A company organizing diving courses for beginners and intermediate divers and diving trips in the waters outside Mombasa. They have an office on Zanzibar too.

Peponi Divers Mombasa. Diving school for beginners and intermediate divers and diving tours to several wreck sites. Also specialty courses like shark awareness. Service in several languages.

Fishing You can catch big fishes in Mombasa, including barracuda, yellow tuna and all three species of marlin.

Bigfish Sports Fishing. Offshore fishing in the Indian Ocean. Tours include fishing equipment and cold drinks. Their boats can also be chartered.

Deep Sea Fishing. Single and multiple day fishing tours on the ocean. Tours include fishing equipment and cold drinks.

Mombasa Island (Mvita) doesn't have many parks. The two best known are Uhuru Garden at Moi Avenue near the tusks and Mama Ngina Park.

Mama Ngina Park. Here you can look at the ships arriving in and leaving from the port and the ferry crossing over to Likoni, and take in some fresh ocean air.

Bamburi Forest Trails and Butterfly Park. The forested area most visited by locals and tourists is in Bamburi. It has many ponds, covers and area of 100 ha and you can get around by foot or bike. Nguuni Wildlife Sanctuary is located here, a place where you can encounter giraffes, ostriches, oryx and deer in semi-liberty. In the Butterfly Pavillion you can admire 16 species of living butterflies.

Jomvu Kuu. If you wish to get off the beaten path, there is a paved road north of Miritini (near the airport) which leads through a savanna landscape to the small village of Jomvu Kuu from where you have a view over the mangrove forest.

Tiwi Beach. Tiwi Beach is a quiet beach on Mombasas south coast, not spoiled by mass tourism. Take the Likoni ferry to the south by taxi (ca. USD50) from Mombasa city center.

Mtwapa Creek. Mtwapa Creek is a place to visit on Mombasa's north coast. It's an Indian Ocean inlet with some small marinas and beautiful tropical vegetation which is very famous for bird watching, mountain bike tours around the creek and starting point for deep sea fishing trips.

Bombolulu Cultural Centre. Traditional Kenyan dance performances and sale of jewellery, leather, textiles and carved wood.

Nyali Cinemax. Nyali Theatre featuring Hollywood and Bollywood new releases (Ksh 500). Two cinema rooms with digital cinema equipment. Also bowling alley, casino, and Italian restaurant. Have some bhel puri while you're there. Taxi from centre Ksh 800, Tuk Tuk Ksh 300. Parking.

Mombasa Go-Kart. A 500-m go-cart track, dirt track for buggies and training track for bulldozer driving. Also has a restaurant and a bowling alley.

Mombasa Florida Golf Club. A membership golf club, founded in 1911, with a 9-hole golf course. A yearly golf tournament, the "Barry Cup" is arranged here.

Nyali Golf Club. This club has a 18-hole course, a driving range, two putting greens and a chipping green. You can rent clubs and buy equipment in the golf club's shop. For those interested in other sports, Nyali Golf Club also has a swimming pool, gym, tennis and squash courts. They have a restaurant and bar too.

Mombasa Sports Club. Kenya's second oldest sports club, founded in 1896. Also non-members are welcome to come and play tennis, squash, bowling, snooker or even bridge.

Mombasa Yacht Club. Cool place to relax away from the town centre hassles. Non-members and non-sailors come to enjoy the restaurant with a view overlooking the harbour.

The Golden Key Casino. Poker, blackjack and other card games, roulette and slot machines. Occasional poker tournaments. Free transport from hotels on demand.

Events There are many kinds of events during the year:

Marathon and triathlon. Organized since 1985 in the Southern Hemisphere fall by the International Triathlon Federation. Since 2006 there has been a yearly triathlon event in the Austral spring.

The Coast Film Festival. Organized by the Alliance française.

Dragon Boat Race. A race of dragon boats, each of which has 20 rowers and a tambourine player giving the rhythm.

Go-Kart. Go-cart endurance race on three racing courses. Arranged on the aforementioned go-cart track.

Carnival. Happens in November on the streets of Mvita. It is a colorful parade of around 50 chariots and 3000 dancers from all over Kenya in traditional costumes.

Fireworks. The New Year's firework show is arranged by the hotels at Nyali beach.

Safari Rally. A yearly Kenya National Rally Championship race.

Most people who visit the coast of Kenya want to combine their stay with a safari. If you have not already booked the safari at home in the travel agency, you can also book it with local agents. There are a very large number of travel agencies that offer safaris both near the beach hotels and in the center of Mombasa. Tours are offered in every hotel and representatives try to find customers even on the beach. In addition to reputable companies, there are also private individuals who organize safaris - often illegally, in order to avoid taxes. For your own safety, you should give preference to reputable companies, even if they are a little more expensive.

For the nearby attractions without overnight stays, you can simply take a taxi. For nearby destination worth to visit see also Diani Beach and Mtwapa.

Buy

Like in all of Africa, haggling is common in small shops. Just make sure you don't ask for prices in English. Use the little Swahili you know so as not to overpay.

The best places for buying souvenirs are the districts of Kinyozi, Mwembe and Tayari which are surrounding Haile Selassie Road and also Biashara Street (Biashara means "commerce" in Swahili). Specialities include: kitenge (vitenge in plural): fabrics decorated with colorful motifs for women to be worn around the waist or tied on the head kanga: similar to kitenge but also decorated with a border running along the sides and a written Swahili proverb. kikoi (vikoi in plural): the "kitenge" for men, sometimes made of wool and usually decorated with strips or tartan batik: originating on Java, batik has been known on the Kenyan coast for centuries. The pieces are cloths are woven by hand but not hand painted. Should not be washed in a washing machine. kiondo or chondo (vyondo in plural): handmade handbag with leather trim often beautifully decorated with beads or shells ndala: hand-made sandals made from leather and old tires (for the soles), these stylish shoes are a great souvenir from Mombasa. Local craftsman use colorful beads and pieces of leather to create a vast variety of shapes and decorations. No two pairs are alike. Ksh 500.

In the old town you can find stores selling silver jewellery and small furniture handmade in typical Swahili style. Also here, haggling is the rule.

There are two important workshops selling their productions directly to customers:

Bombolulu Workshops & Cultural Centre. Cultural centre that sells jewellery, leather and textile products as well as wooden sculptures created by one of the 150 artisans with a physical handicap who are working there. Bombolulu Workshops was founded in 1969 and is a project of the Association for the Physically Disabled in Kenya. This centre is a popular attraction for tourists and has 150 disabled employees who create jewellery, textiles, wood and leather crafts. It is the largest rehabilitation centre in Kenya.

Akamba Handicraft. Decorative and useful objects made of sculpted wood. The carvings are hand made and hence each piece is unique. You can see the artisans at work in the shop and there's a showroom with a wide range of exhibits. In the hall for the tourists, prices are higher than on the opposite side of the ground, where wholesalers buy.

Banks and ATMs All the banks on this list have no ATM withdrawal fees for overseas cards (June 2023). Cooperative Bank has ATMs all over Mombasa that accept Mastercard & Visa card. Ecobank on Jomo Kenyatta. accept Master card & visa card. GT Bank Moi Avenue accept mastercard & visa card.

City Mall Nyali. First modern shopping mall in Mombasa. Has a Carrefour Hypermarket.

Naivas Supermarkets. Four stores, including one next to City Mall. One on the 2nd floor of Mwembe Tayari Mall Mombasa City Centre. One in Ukunda near Diani Beach. One in Bamburgh.

A One Supermarket Ltd. cheapest supermarket in Mombasa.

Chandarana Food Plus Supermarket. There is a second store at Diani Beach.

Nawal Centre Department store. George Margaret Road. 8:30AM-7PM. A 7-floor department store.

Quick mart. A large supermarket chain with stores all over Kenya.

Eat

Mombasa is a cosmopolitan city with Arabic, Chinese, European and Indian influences, and this can be seen in the local cuisine. Many local dishes include coconut, for instance waly ya tui (basmati rice with coconut milk), kuku wa kupaka (chicken with coconut milk) and mahamri (coconut donuts with cardamom).

Pizzerias and snack bars serving Kenyan cuisine are found in Mvita and places that are frequented by tourists such as the beaches. Many hotels also offer this kind of affordable eating. If you want to try out the Kenyan cuisine in such places, check that the place is overall clean, that it does not smell of old frying oil. Moreover, ask for drinks in unopened bottles, avoid ice and peel any fruits. If you follow these tips you can have a great and affordable meal - Ksh 250 will buy you a large serving and a beer.

Cafe Mocha. Tea salon, pastries, ice cream and free Wi-Fi.

Pistacchio Café. Ice cream and coffee bar that also serves buffet lunch.

If you who want to prepare your meals yourself, the easiest and most hygienic way is to go to one of the two big supermarkets such as Naivas or Carrefour.

City Mall. Large mall with a Carrefour Hypermarket.

Kongowea Market. Kongowea market is one of the largest in Kenya with over 1500 stalls and an area of 4.75 ha. Worth visiting for its ambiance, colors and smells. Take care with meat products because they are not always what the signs say. If you want to take photos of the vendors and their stalls, ask permission first.

Forodhani Restaurant. Very nice, on the edge of the old town directly overlooking the creek

Island Dishes. Kenyan and North African cuisine. This restaurant has got good reviews for their food.

Mubins Cafe. East African cuisine, specializing in barbecue and other meat dishes. Outdoor seating as well.

Safari Inn Bar and Restaurant. Kenyan and Swiss cuisine, sandwiches and similar snacks. If you want rösti or fondue while in Mombasa, here they serve it.

Blue Room. Indian and Asian cuisine, hamburgers and special ice cream. Self service.

Shehnai. Indian cuisine with a long menu of both meat and vegetarian dishes.

Bollywood Bites. Vegetarian restaurant with dishes from various Indian cuisines, non-smoking section, catering service.

Skipper's Deck - il Covo. Italian and Japanese cuisine, disco. They have a lounge and a sushi bar and specialize in seafood.

Misono. Japanese cuisine. Table reservation is mandatory.

Galaxy Chinese Restaurant Mombasa. The most visited Chinese restaurant with a large menu including house specialties.

Smugglers Cove Seafood. Seafood and fish.

Sea Haven. Seafood and fish. Terrace overlooking the ocean.

Hunters Steak House. International cuisine, barbecue, homemade pastries.

Yul's. International cuisine, barbecue, homemade ice cream.

Moorings. Seafood and fish. Also organizes trips to Zanzibar on board a dhow.

Tamarind Mombasa. It's the most popular amongst tourists on the island. It over looks Old Harbour and offers freshly caught seafood, exotic menus and nightlife entertainment. Table reservation obligatory.

Tamarind Dhow. Dine while cruising along Tudor Creek, embarkment at the Tamarind Mombasa Jetty. Seafood and fish, wide choice of cocktails. Table reservation obligatory.

Drink

There are quite a number of good bars, pubs and entertainment spots in Mombasa Town and the North Coast. Nightlife is very vibrant in Mombasa and in the village Mtwapa (15km north of Mombasa, called "the village that never sleeps").

Jahazi Coffee House. Arabic teas and coffees served hot or cold, fresh fruit juices, snacks.

Casablanca Club. One of the largest clubs in Mombasa, open around the clock. It features two dance floors, four bars and a restaurant. Reservation obligatory.

Cheers. Open air bar and disco with cheap beer. Fairly popular for watching sports events on their wide-screen TV.

Pirates Beach Club. Bar and dancing on the beach.

Bob's Bar. Lively and popular bar near Tembo. This bar and grill is where a lot of great nights out get started. One of the few bars that is open until sunrise! 3 bars, one of them has a terrace. Disco. Serves food.

Big Tree. Dance club directly at the sea front with a very good atmosphere and super sexy dance contests.

Sleep

Hardly a tourist will stay in Mombasa city, but mostly along the beaches of the north or south coast.There is a wide range of accommodation on offer in Mombasa from camping to Backpacker hostels to hotels and villas with all comforts.

C D H Backpackers. Free wifi. A dorm in mombasa city centre.

Tulia House Backpackers. double rooms and dorms for 4 to 10 persons. Free Wi-Fi. Campsite, swimming pool.

The Beach Africa Backpackers. Dorm bed.

Diani Backpackers. Camping with own tent. Dorm bed. Free Wi-Fi. Swimming pool.

Akogo House Backpackers . Beach Road next to Oswal academy Nyali. Double Rooms from Ksh 1300. Free Wi-Fi. Garden. On site coffee shop. Shared kitchen.

Diani Hostel. Free wifi. Swimming pool. Free bicycle rental. On-site restaurant.

Evening Guest House. clean fan Single room with outside bathroom. Free breakfast. WiFi in reception. Free soap. Can put your own padlock on room door.

Marigold Guest House. Fan single/double room with own bathroom, free Wi-Fi.

Hotel Sapphire. 110 rooms and suites, catering providing food from various traditions and cultures, health club and gym.

Lotus Hotel. Singles, doubles and triples, all with bathroom and A/C. Simple but high quality restaurant. Calm hotel with colonial ambiance.

PrideInn. Singles, doubles and triples equipped with kitchen. Conference room.

Hotel Radiance. Singles, doubles and triples, all with bathroom, cable TV and A/C. Half board and full board. Conference room and à la carte restaurant.

Tudor Water Sports Hotel. Secure parking, marina for private boats.

In Changamwe Being chiefly an industrial area, Changamwe has little accommodation to offer, there are just two hotels.

Jambo Village Hotel. Singles, doubles, triples. Conference room, bar and restaurant.

Coastgate Hotel. 34 singles or doubles, all with balcony. Wi-Fi. Restaurant on the roof. Conference room.

The hotels bordering the beaches of Nyali, Bambur and Shanzu are all equipped for arranging wedding ceremonies including religious weddings on the beach. These beach hotels are also famous for arranging Mombasa's New Year's fireworks.

Best Western Plus Creekside. 100 rooms with balcony (view towards Tudor Creek or the garden). Wi-Fi in the bar. Conference room. Pool.

Leinmach Guest House. Markets itself as a quieter alternative to a hotel. They have a pool and are located next to a golf club. Restaurant with Swahili and Chinese specialties.

Royal Reserve Safari and Beach Club. Offers accommodations for all, including RCI timeshare members. The resort is right off the coast with enjoyable nightlife, multiple restaurant selection with diverse cuisines, gym, pools, and friendly staff.

Sun N Sand Beach Club. All inclusive resort providing accommodations for 298 guest rooms, health club, pool, nightlife, and various activities. Rooms are equipped with A/C, bath, safe, fridge, satellite TV, and some have a private balcony with sea view. This resort is also children friendly.

Nyali International Beach Hotel & Spa. Vacation village with 173 rooms with a small safe, rooms are equipped with coffee or tea maker, satellite TV, safe, mini-bar, "Internet connectivity" and hairdryer. 5 restaurants and 4 bars. Several pools, tennis.

Voyager Beach Resort. All-inclusive vacation village with three pools, tennis court, beach volley field, four bars and three restaurants. Rooms have A/C and satellite TV. They also arrange water activities such as windsurfing, diving and sailing.

Bahari Beach hotel. Pool, tennis, beach volleyball, free Internet cafe, restaurant.

Reef Hotel. 150 singles and doubles, all with balcony, A/C, safe, TV and bathroom. 3 restaurants, 4 bars, tennis, gym and 3 pools. Located in a tropical garden.

Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort. 335 rooms of which 8 suites and 3 rooms for physically handicapped persons. This resort advertising itself as "East Africa's finest" has three restaurants, three bars, four pools, a wellness and fitness club and arranges different water activities such as diving, snorkelling and water skiing. Rooms have Wi-Fi, A/C, bath, satellite TV, a tea and coffee maker and a hair dryer, some rooms also have a balcony with sea view.

Severin Sea Lodge. Pool, sauna, tennis, gym, wellness center.

In Likoni Even as Shelly Beach is as beautiful as the ones in Kisauni, many of the beaches in Likoni, e.g. Tijara Beach, are private and can be rented (refer to the section apartments and villas). Just two hotels can be classified as three star hotels.

ACK Guest House. Single and double rooms with satellite TV, A/C, safe and kitchen. Pool.

Sentrim Castle Royal Hotel. 68 singles, doubles, triples. Conference room, casino and restaurant in the hotel.

English Point. 23 rooms and 3 suites with view to the old town. Rooms are comparable to apartments with complete kitchens, design furniture and media outlets in all rooms. They have a spa, gym, several pools and a marina.

Pangoni Beach Resort & Spa. 50 single, double or triple suites with their own equipped kitchen. The rooms are equipped like apartments with everything from entertainment systems to kitchen equipment and cutlery, some also have a private jacuzzi. Two bars, a restaurant, a pool and a private beach.

Milele Beach Hotel. Singles, doubles and triples. Alcohol prohibited. Pool and beach volley.

Apartments and villas If you prefer something calmer than hotels, there are also apartments and villas to rent.

Tamarind Village. Apartments of one, two or three rooms with satellite tyv and open veranda with view of the old town. Two pools and a whirlpool.

Mei Place. A studio for two persons and four apartments for two to six persons. Wi-Fi and pool. Moreover there are two houses available for short term rental: a larger one for a maximum of 8 adults and 3 children and a smaller for 4 adults and 2 children.

Cowrie Shell. Studios and apartments of 1-3 rooms, pool and fitness center. On the beach.

The Shaza. Apartments with two or three beds and a duplex with three or four beds. Two pools. On the beach.

Tijara Beach. Four fully equipped cottages at a 24-ha property with pool and private beach.