So let’s imagine you have 24 Hours in Mombasa on a layover, or you want to spend 24 hours in Mombasa and you want to soak up as much as you can.
I am going to share the things you can’t afford to miss, plus the food you have to eat.
Ps.there is will be a downloadable free travel guide at the end of this post, for you to keep and use in the future.
The Places To Visit
So we are gonna start with the mainland than finish up in the North Coast with some cocktails
Fort Jesus
So a little history about the Fort was built by the Portuguese in 1593-1596, the main reason it was built was to protect the port of Mombasa and also the town.
The fort although some places it as some parts of looks like ruins but most of it is still intact and makes a beautiful place to have a photoshoot or take pictures.
- Charges: 200/- (For Locals),
- 400/- (For East Africans),
- 1200/- $12 (For Foreigners)
How to get there: Fort Jesus is located in Mombasa Island along Nkurumah road. You can take a tuk-tuk and tell the driver to take you to Fort Jesus it will cost 50/- to 100/- depending on where you are.
Old Town
It is part of where Fort Jesus, is located. It was inhabited by a mix of local Arab, Portuguese, Asian, and British settlers.
Old town where Mombasa town started before it expanded to the city center.
It has narrow streets and beautiful carved Swahili Doors/ Arab Doors that are rare to find nowadays in Mombasa.
This is one of the places that have kept the Swahili Culture and the history of Mombasa and a bonus it is a photographer’s dream.
Ps: Please, take a guide and be careful of your belongings, like your camera, or phones. I am not saying it is not safe but, always be on the lookout. To get a guide you can ask the guide you get when you are inside The Fort. Plus it is polite to give a tip to the guide.
The guides that are located outside charge 500/- $5.
How to get there:
The Tusks:
This a must, you can’t say you have been in Mombasa without a picture, in-front of the Tusks.
Built to welcome Queen Elizabeth to Mombasa, and they mark the entrance to the city
How To Get There: Located in City Center Moi Avenue.Opposite Uhuru Gardens
Restaurant Suggestions
If it is lunchtime by the time, your so take look and the following restaurants like.
- The Fort Seafood Restaurant and Pizzeria
- Forodhani Restaurant
- New Island Dishes
It is located inside Fort Jesus
If you happen to cross the bridge to the North Coast before lunchtime you can eat at some of these restaurants
- Rozina
- 10th Street
They are more but these are my favourite ones and they have a really great food.
Haller Park
It was quarry that was, converted into an animal sanctuary, for animals and trees.
The park looks and feels like jungle, because of the beautiful canopy the trees create and it is kinda scary when it is a gloomy day and no sun passes through.
But does make a great place for a photo shoot, that as a jungle/tropical theme to it.
One of the downsides is that to have a guide, you have to be in a group of people.
But it is an overall awesome place to experience, by feeding the giraffes, the feed time is 11 am and 4 pm, good news the ticket is valid for the entire day.
Charges:
- E.A Residents : 500/-
- Foreigners : 1400/-, $14
How To Get There:
Ride A Camel
This can happen at any public beach, but if you want to have some cocktails and beers and enjoy the sea breeze, I recommend two places Yuls and Moonshine.
At Yul’s you can also ride Jet Skis and after the camel ride. At Yul’s you can also enjoy Italian Ice Cream and they tend to have a cocktail of the week. You may also decide to have an early dinner.
At Moonshine, it is the epitome of a beach bar, they have a two for one special when it comes to cocktails, you can also ride a camel when they pass by.
It is recommended to at least buy something off the menu so you can have beach access, and both have secure parking.
If you want to be part of the local people, then I would suggest Pirates Beach, this is the main public beach.Â
There is a variety of coastrian food to try and I am working on a post about it.
Bonus Tip:
Gp Go Kart: Live your Formula 1, dreams, and have an adrenaline rush. Plus they have paintballing sections and also a small Zipline. So if you have a group of friends you are traveling with, you can make it an afternoon.
How get there:You find them on them North-Coast, along Mombasa-Malindi Road, 1.5 km after hotel Whitesands, just next to the Petrocity station. There is a big signboard with two flags on the main road.
Signing Out
Song Of Post: Africa By Yemi Alade feat Sauti Sol
Nice guide 🙂