Best places to tour in Mombasa include hidden gems and popular destinations which are celebrities locally and internationally.
Are you craving for the Ocean? Because the Ocean is calling you just like it did with Moana. Mombasa is one of the best tourist attractions in Kenya with rich Swahili culture, architecture, world winning white sandy beaches, wildlife and marine national parks, and festivities.
From the entrance of Mombasa, you are welcomed with gigantic Elephant tusks, the scent of spices, stunning architecture, Swahili people, Swahili delicacies and handicrafts.
In this article, we will take you through the places to chill in Mombasa, beautiful places to visit in Mombasa and best places to stay in Mombasa. Tour Mombasa with Naicef as you save for your next destination with our saving plan. Stay hydrated in this hot destination! Ha!
The Beautiful History of Mombasa
Mombasa is an Island on the Indian Ocean and was first referred to as ‘Manbasa’ meaning an Island of War. The island is centrally positioned and so, it was a war Island for countless wars of occupation by early settlers- Arabs, Portuguese, Locals and the British.
Aside from war, there was trade activities happening and this led to the result of intermarriages between early settlers and natives, giving rise to the Swahili people. Mombasa has grown to one of East Africa’s economic hubs and busiest ports in Africa.
Sweet Things to do as you Tour Mombasa Kenya
As you tour Mombasa, its beauty allows you to experience its beautiful coral reefs, sea food, Swahili delicacies, visit architectural wonders, shopping, stay in the best hotels and award winning white sandy beaches.
Sampling Swahili cuisines at an affordable price is very experiential from any of the local restaurants or hotels.
Some of the delicacies include Nyama choma Kenya’s signature type of meat with Kachumbari salad, Chapatti, Pilau- The national rice for Swahilis because no-one does it better than them!
Beautiful Places to Visit in Mombasa
Tourist attractions in Mombasa, some of them are as old as the 18th century. Below are the beautiful places to visit in Mombasa as they are popular tourist attractions in Kenya
1. Mombasa Tusks
Constructed in remembrance of the late Queen Elizabeth’s visit in 1952, these tusks welcome you officially to Mombasa. The structure is in an ‘M’ shape and the tusks are called ‘Pembe Mbili’, meaning two tusks in Swahili.
2. Mombasa Town
If you want to learn of Mombasa’s historic nature over the centuries, tour Mombasa and be amazed by the unique designs on the beautiful architectural buildings that are in existence since historical times.
This town is one of the places to chill in Mombasa and in the souvenir shops, consider purchasing fragrant oils for your loved ones.
3. Fort Jesus
A top attraction in Mombasa which is privileged to be a UNESCO world heritage site. Fort Jesus was constructed in the early 1590s during the Portuguese conquest on King Philip 1 orders.
This site has ceramic materials and pottery objects that show the cultures that interacted with natives at the coast.
Fort Jesus is one of the beautiful places to visit in Mombasa because of its cultural and historical status.
4. Mombasa Marine Parks and Reserves
Mombasa has colorful and beautiful marine parks making it a must visit destination while in Mombasa. Mombasa Marine Park was established in 1986 and covers about 10 sq. kilometers. Some of the species to see in Mombasa Marine National Park include Crabs, Fish, Eels and Zebra fish.
The marine park protects coral reefs, sandy beaches, mangroves and sea grasses. If you cant dive to see the aquatic life, then you can watch them through a glass window. When you opt to dive, you can consider checking out some of the shipwrecks like MV Dania.
If you love diving, skiing, snorkeling, wind surfing, sunbathing, this is one of the best places to visit in coast kenya. Some of the beaches in Mombasa Marine National Park include Shanzu, Nyali and Bamburi beaches.
5. Mombasa Beaches
As you tour mombasa, do not limit yourself from experiencing world class white sandy beaches. Mombasa beaches are positioned to the northern and the southern coastal area. The northern beaches are accessed from Moi International Airport, Mombasa.
Beaches in the north consist of palm trees, coral reefs and the Ocean’s beautiful clear blue waters. The beaches found here include Nyali, Bamburi and Shanzu beaches. The northern beaches are recommended for swimming with Dolphins, diving and deep-sea fishing.
Beaches in the south consists of white sands, tropical trees and the Ocean’s blue waters. The beaches found here include; Shelly, Tiwi and Diani beach- the top and most visited beach in Mombasa. For those who love sunbathing, Tiwi beach is an interesting spot for your sport!
All these beaches have amazing bars, restaurants and good hotels with amazing Swahili delicaices including sea food. For more adventurous activities, visit the Island of Wasini to swim with dolphins.
6. Haller Park
Haller Park is one of the places to chill in Mombasa as you tour mombasa and one of the beautiful places to visit in mombasa. Formerly Bamburi Nature trail, Haller Park was established in 1971 by Dr. Rene Haller. The purpose of its establishment was to transform its inital state into a stunning park.
Haller Park hosts wildlife species including giraffes, elands, cape buffaloes, zebras, hippo and many more.
The park is blessed with abundance in birdlife species and reptiles like crocodiles. Whether walking or cycling, you’ll not miss this chance of experiencing the beautiful Haller Park.
Surprises on The Red Elephant of Tsavo West
7. Mamba Village
As you tour Mombasa, be sure to visit the largest crocodile farm in East Africa, which marks crocodiles according to their age, size and weight. Don’t get too delicious or you’ll be the right balanced diet! Wink!
8. Ship traffic at Mama Ngina Drive
In an evening bush safari, there are bush sundowners. In Mombasa, here at Mama Ngina Drive, watch the sundowner over the horizons to the Ocean as you relax in the amenities.
At Mama Ngina Drive, people are attracted to come here because they count ships leaving and entering the country.
There is security especially when the ship traffic becomes overwhelming. There are restaurants in the area for sea food and drinks in case you want to grab something.
9. Nature Trails
Malindi-Mombasa highway has excellent nature trails to experience the beautiful scenery of the island.
10. Shimba Hills National Reserve
Home of the last species of the Sable antelope, this reserve is 33 kilometers away from Mombasa town. This park has the highest number of Elephants in Kenya with wildlife species of Leopards and antelopes.
After spotting wildlife, get refreshed after a 2.5km hike to the Sheldrick Waterfalls, whose white sands are also great for picnics. The reserve has rare and endangered species including Orchids and Cycads that are best spotted with a ranger on your guided nature walk.
11. Mombasa Go-Kart
This is one of the best places to visit in coast kenya with children for entertainment and fun. This facility offers computer gaming, jumping on boggles for the kids as adults become their cheer squad.
See the great Things you need to Know about Tsavo East.
12. Bombolulu Cultural Center and Workshop
A project birthed as a result of taking care of people with disabilities now a cultural facility with 4 workshops. Through great artworks to showcase the culture of the Kenyan tribes from how the ancestors lived in the olden days. Consider attending cultural performances while purchasing the unique souvenirs and eat from their restaurant as a form of supporting their project.
13. Arabuko Sokoke National Forest
The largest standing coastal forest in East Africa graced with vast diversity from amphibians, birds and butterflies. Arabuko Sokoke is one of the best places to visit in coast kenya as you tour mombasa in that, the forest hosts rare mammals like Ader’s duiker, golden rumped elephant shrew and bushy tailored mongoose.Â
Over 260 bird species are found here including the threatened Clarke’s weaver. The national forest is one of the places to chill in Mombasa with spots for birding, picnicking and nature walks.
14. Gede Ruins
An ancient town from the 15th century, Gede ruins has remains of mosque, palace, well, houses made from coral stones and tombs.
There are buildings with old drawings on the walls, Chinese and Persian architectural designs show the habitants has great taste for expensive possessions.
Gede ruins has a museum to show where artefacts are kept. Gede ruins has offered the local community with an opportunity to breed unique butterfly species at the Arabuko Sokoke Forest.
The facility is outside the Gede ruins, and the facility is called Kipepeo Butterfly Project– Kipepeo means Butterfly.
15. Kipepeo in Gede
The Kipepeo butterfly project has helped raise incomes of members of the community living in the area since the butterflies are sold globally after their metamorphosis.
16. Nguuni Nature Sanctuary
Located next to Nguuni Tatu Hills, this wildlife sanctuary is very rewarding and the best visiting times for Nguuni Nature Sanctuary are in the evening times. Bird and sunset lovers, Mombasa is yours to rule, again. It is before sunset that the serenity of the place comes to life.
Also, see the Best Things you Need to Know about Lake Nakuru
17. Theatres and Casinos
The modern movie theatres are at City Mall and Nyali Cinemax and Golden Key Casino is the best place for gaming in Mombasa- and it overlooks the ocean. When you tour Mombasa, don’t forget to pass by and engage in these activities as they are also places to chill in Mombasa.
18. Mombasa Night life
Be like Katy Perry and get chained to the rhythm, dancing to Kenya’s top hits and also, international hits. The best places to go for Mombasa Night club include Le Club at Continental Resort, Casablanca Club, Bella Vista, Bliss Lounge and Sheba. The music goes on and, on all night, long!
19. Religious Sites
As you tour Mombasa and have fun, remember your creator in your days- as the Holy Bible says. Christians will meditate and fellowship with God at Jesus Healing Sanctuary. This is where community works, and Bible teachings are also found.
There is also the Roman Cathedral, Anglican Mombasa Memorial Cathedral. There is a Hindu temple located close to the railway station and the temple has stone carvings and idols that have their traces in history.
There is also the Lord Shiva Hindu Temple and Swaminarayan Temple having paintings from Hindu Mythology.
Mandhry Mosque is also a religious center for Muslims and those interested in architectural designs on buildings.
20. Tour Kilifi
Mnarani ruins rests in Kilifi and it was once an old local settlement of Swahili speakers from the 14th century. A large baobab tree is found on the island and is anticipated to be the largest in the entire coast pf Kenya. As you tour Mombasa, visit Kilifi as one of the best places to visit in coast Kenya.
21. Mombasa Festivals
Tour Mombasa and its beautiful wonders but nothing beats a good beach festival. No place to do it other than Mombasa.
Any festival hosted in Mombasa attracts a huge number of visitors because there is enjoyment after enjoyment and nothing but good vibes.
Every year in November, colorful local costumes, dances and decorations pave way for evidence of Arabian and African culture as they come to a blend.
Mombasa Triathlon occurs between September and November while sports gala attracts sports champions to compete in swimming- 1.5km into the Ocean and biking- 40km on the streets of Mombasa. Talk about celebrating new year in Mombasa, epic!
There is also a famous festival that attracts people making it to be one of the best places to visit in coastal kenya, Lamu cultural festival. A UNESCO world heritage site, the festivals at Lamu include enjoying donkey races, henna drawings, dhow sailing and Swahili poerty that will blow your mind!
Best Places to Stay in Mombasa Kenya
- Mombasa has exquisite hotels to stay in as you tour Mombasa and they include;
- Hemingways Watamu
- Sarova Whitesands
- Swahili beach hotel
- Neptune Palm beach boutique resort and spa
- Neptune beach resort
- Neptune paradise beach resort and spa
- Neptune village beach resort and spa
- PrideInn Diani
- PrideInn Paradise Beach resort and spa
- Serena beach resort and spa
- Diamonds Leisure beach and golf resort
- Diamonds Dream of Africa
- Leopards beach resort
- Diani sea resort
- Jacaranda Indian Ocean Beach resort
- Kinondo Kwetu
- Alamanara luxury boutique hotel and villas
- Nomads beach resort
- Baobab beach resort
- Sandies Malindi Dream Garden
- Sandies Tropical Village
- The Maji Beach Boutique Hotel
- Chale Island beach resort
- Southern Palms beach resort
- Sun Africa beach resort
- Voyager beach resort
- Muthu Nyali Beach hotel and spa
- Turtle Bay
- Travelers beach hotel
- Travelers Club
- Bamburi Beach hotel
Why to Book Your Best Mombasa Tour with Naicef
For every place you visit as you tour Mombasa with Naicef, you impact Sustainable tourism through the environment and the local community. Naicef focuses on raising responsible tourists.
Book with Naicef the best Mombasa hotel deals.
For the best places to visit in coast kenya, contact Naicef.com or write to my@naicef.com or +254799922277 Not ready now? opt for our Naicef savings plan to visit Mombasa later on.
