Mombasa holidays

Ivory Avenue , Mombasa, Kenya

Holidays to Mombasa line up a batch of Kenya’s best bits – from UNESCO-stamped sights to world-class safari spots.

Culture’s calling

When it comes to culture, Mombasa’s got more variety than a bag of pick and mix. The city – which you’ll find plotted towards the southern end of Kenya’s coast – has as much in common with India and the Middle East as it does with the rest of Africa. You’ll do most of your sightseeing in the multicultural old town, which has been granted UNESCO-listed status. And when it’s time to escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre, you’ve got sprawling sandy beaches and some of Africa’s best safari spots waiting in the wings.

A time-worn town

Imagine narrow streets lined with crumbling, pastel buildings, most of them complete with intricately carved wooden doors and painted timber balconies, and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what Mombasa’s old town looks like. Throw in 20-odd mosques, a 16th-century fort and a 900-year-old cemetery where past rulers of the city are buried, and you’ll have yourself a pretty long sightseeing list. Don’t forget to visit the old port, too. Once one of the busiest ports on the continent, it’s now a much quieter affair, but you can still spy the occasional dhow boat bobbing in and out.

Back-to-basics beaches

Mombasa isn’t known for its beach scene, but there’s plenty of floury sand fringing the city – and it’s worth making the short hop over to the coast for. You won’t find strings of fancy beachfront bars around here – just long stretches of sand backed by palms and the odd hotel. If you’re into kitesurfing, make a dash for Nyali Beach to perfect your skills next to the Indian Ocean. And if you’d rather dip beneath the water, set off on a snorkelling or scuba diving trip to nearby Mombasa Marine National Park – you’ll be sharing the bright coral reefs with shoals of tropical fish.

Superb safaris

If you’re like most people, your number-one reason for visiting Kenya will be to set eyes on its wildlife. For your best chances of spotting the big five, an overnight safari tour is a must. At Tsavo East National Park – about three hours’ drive from Mombasa – you can tick elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, lions, leopards, hippos and more off your seen-in-the-wild list. And an extra hour on the road will land you in Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can stay in a stilted lodge overlooking a watering hole and plains that roll out for as far as the eye can see.

Popular hotels in Mombasa

Facts about Mombasa

Currency
Kenyan Shilling
(KES)
Language
Swahili
Time zone
GMT +3
Flight duration
9 hours from Gatwick

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