Mombasa Kenya

Mombasa Kenya is the second-largest city in Kenya after the country’s Capital City Nairobi . Lying next to the Indian Ocean with a major Port and an International Airport. Mombasa city also serves as the center of the coastal tourism industry. Its name derives from Manbasa, the Arabic name of the former sultan of Mvita, which had its capital here. In modern times the City was the headquarters of the former Coast Province.
Mombasa City is located on Mombasa Island which is separated from the mainland by two creeks: Tudor Creek and Kilindini Harbour. The island is connected to the mainland to the north by the Nyali Bridge, to the south by the Likoni Ferry and to the west by the Makupa Causeway, alongside which runs the Kenya-Uganda Railway. The Port serves both Kenya and landlocked countries, linking them to the Ocean.

History of Mombasa Kenya

Mombasa city’s history is a mixture of African, Persian, Arab, Portuguese and British influences which contributed to the rich cultures found in the city today. Mombasa, a great trading center with several items such as glass, brass, copper, iron and rhino horn passing through the coast, was originally inhabited by the African Bantu people. The Jordanians visited the City in the 6th century, Persians in the 9th and 10th century and thereafter Arabs. In this period the Arabs and Persians developed trading routes, commercial centers and contributed to a flowering of civilization reflected in the glorious architecture of their grand houses, monuments, and mosques.
Over the centuries Mombasa struggled with numerous foreign invaders and hostility.
The Portuguese, the ferocious Zimba tribe, and the Omanis have all tried to take over Mombasa since the 12th century. By the 15th century, Mombasa was a thriving, sophisticated city with established trade routes to China, Persia, and India. Around this time the Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama discovered the city while on a voyage around Africa to find the sea route to India. After a period of fewer than 5 years, the Portuguese returned to attack the city. Five years later, Almeida, another Portuguese seafarer, plundered the port and 23 years later the Portuguese mounted another raid. The invaders then occupied Mombasa, building the impressive Fort Jesus and dominated the entrance to the old harbor, between 1593 and 1598.
The Arabs made several attempts to regain the town but, the Portuguese, supported mainly by supplies from their Indian colony, Goa, hung onto it for around 100 years. The occupiers were finally defeated in the siege of Fort Jesus which began in March 1696. Portuguese and Indian soldiers eventually relieved the Fort in September 1697, but they could not break the siege. The centuries of conflict earned Mombasa the name “the island of War”
Later the Arab’s triumphed scaling the walls of the fort. Intrigue and rivalry between competing Omani rulers led to a decline in trading along the coast and Mombasa fell under the rule of the Mazruis, who were finally overcome by the Omani leader, Bey Saidi Sultan Sayyid Said in 1822 (whose remains are still buried in Mombasa today). Two years later, the British warship HMS Leven arrived in Mombasa.
Answering to the appeals of the Mazruis, the commander, Captain Owen, agreed to declare the city a British protectorate, in return for a promise from the Mazruis to abolish slavery. During this period, Mombasa prospered under the Sultan, underpinned largely by the slave trade. However, he came under increasing pressure by the British to end the practice and in 1845, he was forced into a treaty that severely restricted this activity. In 1886, in an agreement between Britain and Germany, the territories of Kenya and Uganda were assigned to the British while Tanganyika (Tanzania) came under the rule of Germany. The Imperial British East Africa Company set up its headquarters in Mombasa in 1888. It was the springboard for the colonization of Kenya and the beginning of British dominance in the country that was to last until independence in 1963.
By the late 1800s, it became the base of exploration for British expeditions to Kenya’s interior. In 1988, the Imperial British East Africa Company set up headquarters in Mombasa. British rule of Mombasa became official in 1895 when they leased a stretch of the coast including the port city from the Sultan of Zanzibar. Officially this coastal strip still belonged to Zanzibar until ceded to a newly independent Kenya in 1963.
The British affirmed Mombasa’s importance as East Africa’s most vital port when they completed a railway in 1901 stretching from Mombasa to Uganda. Today, the city remains one of Africa’s major links to the rest of the world. Built on a 15 sq km island, Mombasa is surrounded by a natural harbor. The mainland coasts north and south of the city boast a proliferation of tourist resorts. Within the city itself, a traveler has numerous opportunities for exploration and discovery. Remnants of the slave trade can still be seen today around the town. Fort Jesus still contains cells where the slaves were held and various artifacts from that era.

Mombasa Kenya: Kenyan Coastline

Protected by its own barrier reef, the Kenyan coastline rolls serenely north of Mombasa via the endless beaches of Bamburi, into the quaintly pretty Kilifi Creek, and on up to the lazy languor of Watamu, Malindi, and Lamu. To the south, it swings through the magnificent crescent of Diani Beach and on down to the Tanzania border.
For much of its journey, the Kenyan coastline is backed only by waving coconut palms. Occasionally it is punctuated by the bustle and brilliance of hotels, beach bars, camels and skittering kite surfers; sometimes by the coral-grey ruins of an ancient Swahili settlement; sometimes by a buttress of bulbous baobab trees; sometimes by a deserted mosque.
Behind the southern beaches, though, rise the elephant patrolled woodlands of the Shimba Hills: behind the northern beaches, the red-dust reaches of Tsavo East National Park. But above all, the Indian Ocean coastline is a journey: from past to present and from holiday paradise to pristine wilderness.

The economy of Mombasa Kenya

Mombasa Kenya is a major trade center and home to Kenya’s only large seaport, the Kilindini Harbour. Kilindini is an old Swahili term meaning “deep”. The port is so-called because the channel is naturally very deep. Kilindini Harbor is an example of a natural geographic phenomenon called a ria, formed millions of years ago when the sea level rose and engulfed a river that was flowing from the mainland.
Mombasa City is the center of coastal tourism in Kenya. Mombasa Island itself is not the main attraction, although many people visit the Old Town and Fort Jesus. The Nyali, Kenyatta, Bamburi, and Shanzu beaches are located north of the city. The Shelly, Tiwi, and Diani beaches are located south of Mombasa. Several luxury hotels exist on these beaches, while the less expensive hotels are located further away.
Mombasa’s northern shoreline is renowned for its vibrant 24-hour entertainment offers, including both family entertainment (water parks, cinemas, bowling, etc.), sports (watersports, mountain biking and go-karting), culinary offers (restaurants offering a wide range of specialties from Kenya, China, Japan, India, Italy, Germany and other countries) and nightlife(bars, pubs, clubs, discothèques, etc). Other local industries include an oil refinery and the Bamburi Cement factory. The major intercontinental undersea telecom cables reach shore next to Mombasa, connecting East Africa to the rest of the world and supporting a fast-growing call center business in the area.

Mombasa Population

The city of Mombasa has a population of 939,370, as per the 2009 census, and is located on Mombasa Island, which is separated from the mainland by two creeks: Tudor Creek and Kilindini Harbour. The island is connected to the mainland to the north by the Nyali Bridge, to the south by the Likoni Ferry and to the west by the Makupa Causeway, alongside which runs the Kenya-Uganda Railway. The port serves both Kenya and countries of the interior, linking them to the Ocean. The city is served by Moi International Airport located in the northwest mainland suburb of Chaani, northwest of Changamwe area.
Mombasa city is mainly occupied by the Muslim Mijikenda/Swahili people. Over the centuries, there have been many immigrants and traders who settled in Mombasa, particularly from Iran, the Middle East, Somalia and the Indian sub-continent, who came mainly as traders and skilled craftsmen. The traditional dress for the Swahili women is a brightly colored, printed cotton sheet called a kanga, which may have inspirational slogans printed on it. Muslim women wear a covering known as a bui bui, which is traditionally black, along with a head covering called a hijab, and sometimes wears a veil called a nikab. Men wear a type of strong, which is colored in bright bands, called a kikoi.

Around Mombasa Kenya – Places and Neighborhood

Mombasa Island

1. Kizingo: Considered the prime residential area of Mombasa. The State House Mombasa, Provincial Headquarters, The Mombasa Law Courts, The Municipal Council are located in Kizingo. The Aga Khan Academy, Aga Khan High School, Serani Primary School, Serani High School, Santokben Nursery School, Coast Academy, Mombasa Primary School, Loreto Convent, Mama Ngina Girls’ High School and the Government Training Institute (GTI) Mombasa are all part of Kizingo.
2. Kibokoni: Part of Old Town with Swahili architecture. Fort Jesus is in Baghani.
3. Kuze: Part of Old Town with Swahili culture and architecture. Originally flourishing with Swahili people but currently becoming a more cosmopolitan neighborhood.
4. Makadara: Part of Old Town consisting of a high number of descendants of Baluchi former soldiers who settled within this area before it developed into a town. The name is derived from the Arabic word Qadr-ur-Rahman meaning the fate of God.
5. Ganjoni: Primarily a middle-class residential, home of the second biggest dry dock of Africa after the one in South Africa.
6. Tudor: Another middle-class residential area with homes and shops. The Mombasa Polytechnic University College (MPUC) is situated in this neighborhood

North Coast

1. Nyali: Also considered a prime and up-market residential area, it is on the mainland north of the island and is linked by the New Nyali Bridge. It has numerous beachfront hotels in the area known as the “North Coast”. Nyali has two distinct sections – the posh Old Nyali and the upcoming New Nyali. For many residents, Nyali has now become a self-contained residential area, with two Nakumatts, a multiplex cinema, shopping malls, banks, schools and post offices. This often eliminates the need for residents to cross the bridge and to go into the congested Mombasa city center. Nyali is home for the Nyali Cinemax complex, Mamba Village, the Nyali Golf Club, and some of the most prestigious academic institutions of the Coast Province.
2. Kongowea: Kongowea Location is a densely populated area with 15 villages, two sub-locations and an estimated population of 106,180 residents. Kongowea is a cosmopolitan settlement mainly inhabited by people from the mainland who migrated into the city in search of employment, mainly in the service and manufacturing sector. The area is adjacent to the rich suburb of Nyali which employs a portion of the village residents. They are mainly hired as cheap labor as watchmen, gardeners, masons for upcoming houses and house help. The most well-known villages inside Kongowea include Kisumu Ndogo, Shauri Yako, and Mnazi Mmoja, despite being located in this prime area, many residents live under extreme conditions – poor sanitation, high crime rate and lack of basic essential amenities like schools, hospitals, and tap water. Kongowea is also home to one of the largest open-air markets in Eastern Africa.
3. Bamburi: also an outlying township (fifteen minutes drive) on the way to the town of Malindi. Bamburi is the location of the Bamburi Portland Cement Company. Other notable features in the area are the Mijikenda public beach and Haller Park, a nature trail and wildlife conservatory.
4. Other areas include Shanzu, Mkomani, Bombolulu, Kisauni, and Mtwapa. The North Coast is famous for its broad entertainment industry which attracts locals and tourists as well.

South Coast

1. Likoni: is a lower-income and lower-middle-class neighborhood connected to Mombasa Island by ferry. It is south of Mombasa Island and made up of mostly non-Swahili tribes. The ferry was the target of the Likoni Riots of 1997.
2. Diani Beach: a beach resort area situated over the Likoni Ferry on the south coast of Mombasa. It is located some 36 km (22 mi) south of Mombasa city on the mainland coast and is a prime resort for many local and international tourists. Diani Beach has an airport at Ukunda town to cater for tourists who fly there directly from Nairobi Wilson or any other airports and airfields in the country.

Other

1. Magongo: is an outlying township 20 minutes driving distance northwest of Mombasa Island, situated on the Nairobi Highway. This fringe community lacks any effective electricity, water or sewer systems, with a general lack of infrastructure. Poverty, lack of sanitation, and unemployment continue to be the greatest issues for the Mikindani Township, which have ensured low health and safety standards for its residents. Poor, lower-class housing is widespread, ranging from simple stone, two storey structures to mud and earth homes fitted with corrugated iron roofs. Much of the community work outside of the township, within Mombasa Island itself as there is a lack of employment and industry. There is the number of small health clinics, shops, and a few public primary schools: Nazarene primary is one school, which is known in particular as being staffed by a revolving volunteer teacher base from Western, and predominately English speaking nations. This small town that serves as a link between the city and Moi International Airport. Magongo is also home to the Akamba Handicraft Cooperative.
2. Mikindani, a suburban area: This is an outlying township on the mainland along the Nairobi Highway. It is built in the heavy industrial sections of Changamwe and mainly accommodate the working class who either work in the industries, the town center on the Island and the Port at Kilindini harbor.
3. Miritini: outlying township on the Mombasa Nairobi Highway which is first growing as a suburban area.
4. Changamwe: Industrial area which contains the Kipevu power generation projects, the Kenya Oil Refinery Company facility and housing estates such as Chaani and is the gateway to the Moi International Airport. The area has administrative offices of the D.O and the chiefs who serve the administrative division.
5. Port Reitz: This is a suburb on the mainland which contains a beach, oil refineries, housing estates, etc. Moi International Airport and the Port Reitz District Hospital are in Port Reitz.

Tourist Attraction in Mombasa Kenya

Mombasa City is bestowed with such beautiful beaches with white sandy beaches and a deep historical and cultural heritage that most travelers cannot resist, the beauty of the beaches and the history surrounding this city are simply marvelous.

1. Fort Jesus

It overlooks the entrance to the Old Port of Mombasa. It was built by the Portuguese in 1593 to guard the port and their trade route to India. It has a turbulent history of wars between the ruling Arab dynasties.
For more information visit: Fort Jesus

2. Bombolulu workshop (North Coast)

A major tourist attraction, founded in 1969, Bombolulu Workshop is a project of the Association for the Physically Disabled in Kenya (APDK). It has a Cultural Centre with eight traditional homesteads. The Centre runs a traditional restaurant and entertains guests with traditional dances during the day.
For more information visit: Bombolulu Workshop

3. Bamburi Nature Trails- Haller Park

This is the largest animal sanctuary in Mombasa. Once a barren limestone quarry from years of mining, today it is a thriving coastal forest. Its success is largely due to Rene Haller, an agro-forester who since the 19705 has been the force behind its transformation. There are four nature routes in the Forest Trails for cycling, jogging, walking, and fitness.
For more information visit: Haller wildlife Park

4. The Mombasa Tusks

The Mombasa “Tusks” are symbolic representations of the entrance into the heart of the town. The tusks were built to commemorate the visit of Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth’s sister, in 1956. Initially, made of canvas stretched over wooden frames by the municipal engineers based on Kilindini Road, now Moi Avenue, they were later rebuilt in aluminum and moved to their present position in the 19605. Coincidentally the tusks also spell the letter “M” for Mombasa.
For more information visit: Mombasa Tusks

5. Mamba Village

Situated in Nyali, close to Haller Park, it is East Africa’s largest crocodile farm. A tour of the farm starts with a film on the life cycle and behavior of crocodiles, followed by a tour of the crocodile-ville. It ends with the highlight of the day: a spectacular scene of blood-thirsty crocodiles in a frenzy during feeding time.
For more information visit: Mamba Village

6. Mombasa Marine Park

The marine park off is easily accessible by boat or local canoes from the beach hotels on the North Coast. A rich coral reef, home to the most spectacular array of coral fish and plants live in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
For more information visit: Mombasa Marine Park 

7. Mombasa Old Town

Mombasa Old town is reminiscent of the days when the Arabs and Asians exerted a heavy influence on the town and its culture, especially in the architecture and its language, Kiswahili. The Old Town is on the tentative list to qualify for inclusion in the World Heritage List.
For more information visit: Mombasa Old Town

8. Rabai Museum

Rabai is where Christianity and modern learning in Kenya started. Established in 1846 by Dr. Ludwig Krapf as the first church edifice in Kenya, Rabai is 25km northwest of Mombasa off the Nairobi— Mombasa highway on the Mazeras — Kaloleni road. Dr. Krapf, a phenomenal linguist, learned Kiswahili within weeks of landing in Mombasa and translated the first Bible into Kiswahili.
For more information visit: Rabai Museum

9. Jumba La Mtwana

This 13th century abandoned Swahili settlement; 20km north of Mombasa town is like all early settlements, on the seashore. Besides a beautiful beach, it boasts magnificent ruins of the ancient homes and a mosque with its carved niches and arched doorways. There are a picnic site and a great beach for swimming
For more information visit: Jumba La Mtwapa

Accommodation and Hotels in Mombasa

1. Voyager Beach Resort

A vibrant, ship-themed resort, Voyager Beach Resort is moored on the coast, at Nyali Beach. The resort provides family entertainment and animation programs, including themed journeys across the seven seas.
For more information please visit: Voyager Beach Resort

2. Marina English Point

It sits across the stunning old Mombasa skyline in a natural marine basin with a breakwater coral shelf that is perfect for a marina. Out of this vision was born the idea to bring to Kenya, a modern, international development that offers the best in lifestyle and luxury, as well as the region’s first serviced marina to cater for the luxury boating market.
For more information please visit: Marina English Point

3. Sarova White Sands Beach Resort and Spa

Fusing Swahili interiors and Arabic architecture, Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort and Spa is an exotic resort on Bamburi Beach. Set in 22 acres of landscaped gardens, this resort has the largest beachfront on the North Coast.
For more information please visit: Sarova White Sands Beach Resort and Spa

 4. Serena Beach Resort and Spa

Stretching along Shanzu Beach, a ribbon of palm-fringed golden sand, chosen long ago by the local turtle to lay their eggs, and with the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean spanning out before it. The Serene Beach Hotel & Spa offers the ultimate escapism.
For more information please visit: Serena Beach Resort and Spa

5. Turtle Bay Beach Club

Turtle Bay Beach Club is located on 650 ft off the beach, on the edge of the internationally acclaimed Watamu National Marine Park. On tropical grounds, it offers an outdoor pool and 3 restaurants.
For more information please visit: Turtle Bay Beach Club

6. Bahari Beach Hotel

Beachfront on Nyali Beach, Bahari Beach Hotel offers a selection of restaurants, bars, and water sports. The hotel is designed in traditional Swahili style, with coral blocks and thatched roofs in colorful gardens.
For more information please visit: Bahari Beach Hotel

7. Pangoni Beach Resort

Nestled on the tranquil Shanzu Beach, Mombasa. Pangoni Beach Resort is an exquisite and uniquely built sea side paradise, simply the most prestigious apartments in the history of Mombasa. Our elegant and spacious serviced and managed apartments will spoil you for choice, whether looking for a sole retreat or a family vacation, ascend to paradise.
For more information please visit: Pangoni Beach Resort

8. Plaza Beach Hotel

Situated on the gleaming white powder sands of Bamburi Beach, the Plaza Beach Hotel offers the amenities and comforts of a small, luxurious, ‘boutique style’ executive hotel. The main restaurant serves themed buffet-style dinners, with a variety of tropical and international cuisine, while the specialty restaurant features à la carte dishes and seafood.
For more information please visit: Plaza Beach Hotel

9. Castle Royal Hotel

The newly refurbished Castle Royal Hotel is situated in Mombasa town center, only 10 minutes from the historic site of Mombasa Old Town and the world famous Fort Jesus. The island of Mombasa is known in Swahili as Kisiwa ya Mvita, which means the Island of War, due to the many changes in its ownership through its long and eventful history.
For more information please visit: Castle Royal Hotel

10. Midview Hotel

Midview Hotel is located in the serene Nyali neighborhood only 20 minutes away from Moi International Airport and 25 minutes from Mombasa city center.
Enjoy air-conditioned rooms, quality food, a tasteful lounge for reading or socializing and atmosphere where you can unwind,get a great night’s rest and truly feel at home.
For more information please visit: 

11. Lotus Hotel

Near Mombasa Old Town, Lotus Hotel is located within easy reach of the historic Fort Jesus and its surrounding picturesque alleys. The bright orange hotel is a landmark on Cathedral Lane, just off Nkururnah Road. The hotel welcomes families, and can also arrange conferences and seminars. The Lotus Hotel’s aim is for visitors to feel like a Lotus-eater in the Odyssey of Horner, the Greek, full of contentment and if you wish, dreamy indolence.
For more information please visit: Lotus Hotel

12. New Palm Tree Hotel

Not far from Fort Jesus, New Palm Tree Hotel evokes the history of the old part of Mombasa. This colonial building is whitewashed, with a sweeping wooden staircase and a large rooftop courtyard decorated with pot plants. There are 30 en—suite rooms. All rooms have aircon, fan, mosquito net, fridge, and satellite TV. WiFi is available throughout the hotel. The rooms open onto the courtyard which has plenty of seats and makes a comfortable place to spend the evening. Room service and laundry service are provided.
For more information please visit: New Palm Tree Hotel

13. Panaroma Gardens Hotel

Near the Mombasa Municipal Stadium, Panarorna Gardens Hotel’s orange facade makes a striking landmark. The hotel is situated between the center of the town and Moi International Airport; airport transfers can be arranged. A rooftop bar is an attractive place from which to watch the sunset.
For more information please visit: Panaroma Gardens Hotel

14. Manson Hotel

Manson Hotel is Within walking distance of the giant elephant tusks, a famous symbol of Mombasa. There are 80 en-suite rooms, made up of standard, deluxe and executive.
Standard rooms are equipped with fans, while deluxe and executive have aircon, telephone and satellite TV. All rooms have traditional coastal carved doors and balconies. Eden Parlour Restaurant serves Kenyan and international dishes such as chicken wings, spaghetti bolognaise, fried fish fillet, stir-fried liver, and mixed grill.
For more information please visit: Manson Hotel

15. Castle Royal Hotel

The newly refurbished Castle Royal Hotel is situated in the Mombasa town center, only 10 minutes from the historic site of Mombasa Old Town and the world famous Fort Jesus. The island of Mombasa is known in Swahili as Kisiwa ya Mvita, which means the Island of War, due to the many changes in its ownership through its long and eventful history.
For more information please visit: Castle Royal Hotel

16. Glory Grand Hotel

In the center of Mombasa, Glory Grand Hotel offers budget accommodation and a restaurant. Its central location makes it convenient for the shops, businesses, bars, and restaurants of Mombasa.
There are 43 en—suite rooms, made up of singles, doubles, and triples. 25 of the rooms are equipped with aircon, TV with local channels and fridge.
For more information please visit: Glory Grand Hotel

17. Royal Court Hotel

Royal Court Hotel, located in the center of Mombasa, is Well equipped for both business and holiday visitors. The impressive 8-floor building combines coastal Wood with terracotta finishing.

18. Nyali International Beach Hotel

Established in 1946, Nyali International Beach Hotel was extensively refurbished in 2010. The hotel is in lush gardens on the beachfront.
There are 48 palm wing sea-facing rooms, 102 garden wing rooms, 3 luxury villas, 3 presidential suites, and 3 executive suites. All rooms are equipped with satellite TV, telephone digital safe, minibar, kettle, hairdryer and WiFi.
For more information please visit: Nyali International Beach Hotel

19. Pridelnn Hotel Mombasa

Originally called Kohinoor Hotel, meaning Mountain of Light, Pridelnn Hotel Mombasa has been designed using ancient Indian art to enhance the light. The hotel offers serviced studios and apartments. Located on Haile Sellasie Avenue, the hotel is well situated for the shops and businesses of Mombasa.
For more information please visit: Pridelnn Hotel Mombasa

Mombasa County

Mombasa County is the smallest county in the province, covering an area of 229.7 Km2 excluding 65 Km2 of water mass. The county is situated in the South-Eastern part of Coast region. It borders Kilifi County to the North, Kwale County to the South West and the Indian Ocean to the East. Read More

Mombasa Nightlife

Every city has that unique nightlife that makes you embrace the darkness of night; Mombasa offers unique places for the night lovers. From unique dinner cruises to dancing the night away, there are lots of choices in Mombasa. The city offers different types of clubs depending on the atmosphere and music genre. If you like eating out at night, there are several places that offer unique dinner for special occasions or just for a unique dinner experience. We present to you 12 nightlife spots in Mombasa:

1.  Tapas Cielo

Tapas Cielo is the place to see and be seen for professionals and tourists in the Nyali area of Mombasa. As our guest, you will receive excellent service in sophisticated surroundings. The atmosphere is chilled and relaxed. The modern décor is slate grey, stone, and chrome, enhanced by cool blue lighting and with a zap of energetic red around the bar itself. Settle into comfortable seating or perch by the bar while you contemplate which of the hundreds of cocktails to choose. Our trained cocktail waiters will mix you a sophisticated straight martini or something a little more adventurous. We also have an extensive wine list and selection of beers and soft drinks.

2. Tamarind Dhow

To experience the city from a different angle, you can take a dinner dhow cruise that goes around the city while enjoying a live band on board. You view the city lights as the dhow cruises slowly giving you time to explore the uniqueness of the town. In addition to the various seafood offered, others even cooked on board.

3. Bella Vista

Bella Vista located in the heart of the CBD. It served as the ultimate chill point for revelers who love to dance their shoes off and also because of its convenient location just in town. For those who fancy sports action there is a projector in the garden to show all the football matches. Address: Digo Rd, Mombasa

4. The Thalassa Restaurant and Lounge

The Thalasa restaurant and Lounge just after Nyali Bridge is tailor-made for those looking to relax and whisk away their sorrows through the cool chill music that plays along. The breeze from the ocean makes everything seem right complemented by their exquisite fine dining. Visit: Thalassa Restaurant and Lounge
Address: Near Nyali bridge, along Nyali Highway, Nyali Rd, Mombasa

5. Sheba Lounge

Sheba lounge next to Citymall is a haven if not paradise. They are equipped to serve you with the best liquor in the world while you seek comfort in the chill music that oozes right past your senses. Parties at Sheba lounge never cease to amaze and the dance floor is as tempting and inviting like nothing you’ve ever seen before.
Address: Near Guptas Complex, Nyali, Malindi Rd, Mombasa

Mombasa Time

GMT +3 all year-round. Kenya maintains an almost constant 12 hours of daylight, sun-up and sun-down being at around 6.30 and 18.45 daily, and varying only by 30 minutes during the year.

Climate and Weather in Mombasa

The coast is always hot with an average daytime temperature of 27-31 degrees centigrade whilst the average daytime temperature in Nairobi is 21-26 degrees centigrade. Temperatures elsewhere depend on altitude. July and August mark the Kenyan winter. Typically, January-February is dry, March-May is wet, June-September is dry, October-December
is wet.

Distance From Nairobi To Mombasa

482.8 km

Mombasa City Guide Video

Places to Visit in Mombasa

Mombasa Airport

Moi International Airport is the international airport of Mombasa, the second-biggest city in Kenya. It is located in Mombasa County, in a township called Port Reitz and features regional as well as intercontinental flights. There are several airlines which operate in the airport and they include:

1. Kenya Airways
2. British Airways
3. Turkish Airlines
4. Thomson Fly
5. Air Kenya
6. Air France Cargo
7. 540 Ltd
8. Qatar Airlines
9. Air Arabia
10. Egypt Air
11. Swiss Airlines
12. KLM

 Mombasa Port

The Port of Mombasa is the key entry and exit point for cargo belonging to a vast hinterland that includes Kenya, Uganda Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, South Sudan, Somalia, and Ethiopia. The port of Mombasa dates back to the 18th century when the Portuguese and the Arabs came to the East African Indian ocean shore for spice and slave trade. In 2011 the Port-channel was dredged to minus 15 meters and its turning basin widened to 300 meters. Alongside berths are now 12 meters deep. In the same year, a new berth no. 19 was built and completed in 2013. The berth is 240meters long and 13.5 meters deep capable of handling Panama’s vessels. This addition effectively makes Mombasa Container Terminal to have a total quay length of 840meters. In the same year, the construction of a second container terminal commenced in phases. Phase 1 was completed in February 2016 and started operating in April 2016, with a quay of 350 meters long berth and a draft of 15 meters, and a side berth of 210 meters long with a draft of 12meters. The two berths have a capacity of 550,000TEUs per year. The second and third phase is expected to be completed in 2020 in time to facilitate Kenya’s Vision 2030.

 City Mall Mombasa

City Mall offers a safe serene environment that feels like a home away from home for you and your loved ones to relax and have a bite from top brands. Each and every day, hundreds of people make their way into City Mall Nyali and always leave with a smile on their faces.

 Mombasa Map