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Mombasa

Mombasa was once an important staging post that linked India and Africa in the spice route. Because of that, you would be able to explore the remnants of the past in the oldest city in Kenya, and you can still taste history in Mombasa because of its connection with India in the past; Mombasa is still full of excellent and delicious Indian food. You can also do what most people do when they visit Africa, admiring the wild nature. So, if you’re interested in visiting Mombasa in Kenya, here’s everything you need to know.

Travel Tips for Mombasa

What you need to know before traveling here

Getting Around Mombasa

A guide to Mombasa's local transportation

Tuk-Tuk

Matatu

Rented Cars or Taxis

If you want to get around the city like the locals do, then tuk-tuk is the answer. These three-wheeled vehicles might not be the smoothest ride in town, but they are cheap and convenient for getting to places.

Practical Tips for Mombasa

Things to prepare and best way to visit

What Is the Weather Like in Mombasa?

Mombasa is located near the equator, which means it has only two seasons all year long: dry and wet or rainy season. The dry season in Mombasa is between December and April and then July and September, with December through April being the hottest months. Meanwhile, April through June and October through November are the rainy season periods, with May being the month with the highest rainfall.

What Are the Best Attractions in Mombasa?

Fort Jesus Before visiting Kenya's oldest city, you must see the best historical site in Mombasa, Fort Jesus. This fort, which is an official World Heritage site by UNESCO, was built between 1593 and 1596. It was built by the Portuguese, who saw themselves as the representatives of Jesus instead of their kingdom, hence the name. The fort was built to protect the Portuguese living in Mombasa and Africa’s East Coast. Old Town Another aspect of the city’s incredible history you should visit and enjoy is the Old Town. This place was a meeting point for people of different cultures. The inhabitants of the Old Town now are of Asian, Arab, and European descent. Not only with the people, you can also see through the history of the buildings with different architectural styles that have been there for hundreds of years. Haller Park It’s not complete if you’re going to an African city, especially one located near the equator, and don’t see some wild animals. If you don’t think safari is for you, you can visit Haller Park in Mombasa, where you can see various African animals, such as hippos and zebras. You can even feed the giraffe, which is the main attraction in this park.

What Is the Must-Try Foods in Mombasa?

Chicken Tikka and Biryani As mentioned, Mombasa is still filled with delicious Indian food because of the city’s long history. Today, you can still easily find chicken tikka and biryani dishes. Biryani and tikka are signature Indian foods, and in Mombasa, you can enjoy them with the mix of local spices that make them unique and special. Viazi Karai Along the Swahili coast, via karat is a popular snack that resembles potato nuggets. It is made by boiling potatoes, crushing and mixing them with flour and various spices, and then frying them. You can eat them directly, but enjoying vizai karat is better with chutney, and the most popular chutney in Mombasa is the tamarind chutney. Mitai Another food you shouldn’t miss in Mombasa is mitai, which is perfect if you like sweets. Mitai is a doughnut made with coconut. What makes this food unique is the shape of the mitai, which would be different depending on the vendor you buy it from. Enjoying mitai would be even better if you have a cup of tea or kahawa, a special kind of Swahili coffee made with ginger.

Where Should You Stay in Mombasa?

If you’re picking a place to stay in Mombasa, most tourists would prefer a hotel or a resort near the beach since there are so many beautiful beaches near Mombasa. The closest beaches you could choose are Bamburi and Nyali Beach. These beaches are connected by a bridge to the mainland, making it convenient and easily accessible. Meanwhile, if you’re okay with driving a few hours from the city centre, you could stay in Kilifi and Watamu, two hours away from Mombasa.

What Should You Know Before Visiting Mombasa?

You should know that Kenya officially banned single-use plastic products in 2017, so don’t bring such products to Mombasa, such as single-use plastic bottles or straws. Also, don’t use plastic bags to pack your things in your suitcase since your luggage will be scanned at the airport. If you go to a national park, bring a reusable water bottle. Another essential thing to know about visiting Mombasa is about malaria. While the risk of getting malaria is low, you should still bring some antimalarial drugs that suit you best. The options are doxycycline, mefloquine, atovaquone or proguanil.