Overview
Discover the best of Kenya’s coast with Mombasa City Tours and Excursions. Immerse yourself in rich history, vibrant Swahili culture, and breathtaking beaches.
The Portuguese-built fortress Fort Jesus is a stop on the Mombasa City Tour. Today, the fort houses the museum. From the fort, you will enjoy a short walk through the old town with its narrow, twisting alleys, overhanging balconies, and carved doors, bringing you to the Old Port. The port is still in use and one can find some Arab Dhows operating.
A short ride through the center of Mombasa City takes you to other points of interest, including the market and the huge elephant tusks along Moi Avenue, where you can disembark from your vehicle and take photos. You will then cross the Makupa Causeway (the connection to the Western mainland) to Akamba Handicrafts in Changamwe, a cooperative industry that consists of over 1,900 members, all producing a great variety of wood carvings, all at very reasonable prices. Here, you can buy souvenirs to take back home. You will be returned to your hotel in time for lunch.
Old Fort Jesus
Full-Day Wasini Dolphin Dhow.
Leave your hotel early in the morning and drive to Wasini Island. Arrive at Shimoni Jetty, where you will board an Arabic dhow and sail for one hour searching for dolphins. Sail to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Reserve, where you will snorkel and swim. Kisite Marine National Park is the second most famous marine park in the world after the Australian Marine Park. Animals seen here include turtles, marine tortoises, coral reefs and different types of marine fish.
You will have your lunch at a restaurant on Wasini Island, which specializes in sea food and Swahili dishes. After lunch, you will sail along the mangrove swamps and then visit the local villages, where you will learn more about the Swahili people and Arab history. In the 10th century, Arabs were slave traders and they used to inter-marry with the Bantus at the coast, giving rise to the Swahili people. After the end of the slave trade in the 17th century, many freed slaves settled here. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about the Swahili people. Arrive at the jetty the late afternoon and drive back to the hotel.
A beautiful shot of Wasini island
Haller Park (formerly Bamburi Nature Park ) Tour.
Depart after lunch for Bamburi Quarry Nature Trail. Haller Park was once a limestone quarry. Today, it is a thriving ecosystem of forests, grasslands and ponds. Walking trails allow you to view the fenced wildlife, such as hippo, giraffe, antelope, buffalo and smaller mammals. Also see bird species such as eagle, sandpiper, weaver, stork, kingfisher, ibis, owl, heron, egret and many others. The sections of the
park include a game sanctuary, reptile park, fish farm, crocodile pen, giraffe viewing area and palm gardens.
Your visit will coincide with the feeding of crocodiles—a show that should not be missed.
Full-day Malindi and Gede Ruin tour.
Begin your exploration of the northern section of Kenya’s Mombasa Island from your hotel. Visit the ruins of the 13th-century Swahili village of Gede, lying south of Malindi. The Gede ruins, a 13th-century Swahili Settlement in Malindi, are nestled in a thick forest. This village remained hidden away from historic records and texts as well. Explore its vast compound and you’ll come across palaces, houses and mosques built with coral, sand and plaster with a blend of Swahili and Arabic architecture.
Visit the Gede Ruins National Museum and examine the displays of excavated Chinese Ming porcelain, glass and Persian earthenware. Continue towards the Swahili town of Malindi. The small Portuguese church close by and the stone cross Vasco da Gama placed on his pillar in 1499 will be the first things to catch your attention. This is the oldest church in all of East Africa. The church, which Vasco da Gama and his men constructed around the year 1498, is still standing today.
Later, head towards the Bio-Ken Snake Farm, which showcases a number of venomous snakes. Then drive to the hotel for lunch and a little rest.
Visit the Malindi Falconry, that has a variety of caged birds of prey. This tour of Malindi, Kenya, will give you a sense of its culture, history and scenic beaches.
