Parks and the outdoors in Mombasa

16 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around Mombasa.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

See
Bamburi Forest Trails
Beautiful, mostly flat terrain for walking, cycling and running with routes from 3.5 to 10 km marked with small coloured wooden arrows. There is a children's playground, fitness trail, archery, cycle track and (vintage) bicycles for hire. It is a diverse ecosystem with beautiful flora, ponds, monkeys and butterflies, and it is pleasantly cool in the shade of the trees. It is a recreational hideout in the tidy jungle. You can also just sit and listen to the sounds of the bush or take a walk in the shade of the trees. Please note: It is not allowed to bring plastic bottles.
Do
Bamburi Forest Trails and Butterfly Park
The forested area most visited by locals and tourists is in Bamburi. It has many ponds, covers and area of 100 ha and you can get around by foot or bike. Nguuni Wildlife Sanctuary is located here, a place where you can encounter giraffes, ostriches, oryx and deer in semi-liberty. In the Butterfly Pavillion you can admire 16 species of living butterflies.
Ksh 200
Do
Fireworks
The New Year's firework show is arranged by the hotels at Nyali beach.
Closed
See
Fort Jesus
Fort Jesus is the most popular destination in Mombasa. Built between 1593 and 1596 by the Portuguese to protect the port against the Ottomans, this fort was in military use for over three centuries. It got its name from the Portuguese fleet sailing under the flag of the Order of Christ (Ordem de Nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo). The fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. Fort Jesus holds artifacts from when Mombasa was a transit port for the slave trade. There are torture rooms, cells, and many other displays from the 16th century. During the British period the fort functioned as a prison and today part of the cells are used as a museum. Many exhibits come from the Portuguese frigate Santo António de Tanna that sank in 1697, including African and Indian pottery, Chinese china, different objects used by the crew and two bronze cannons. Another part of the collection is dedicated to archeological finds from the Kenyan coast. Moreover there are Arabic military equipment, musical instruments and a series of cannons from the 18th and 19th centuries. In the small park next to the entrance there is a 105-mm cannon that belonged to the Imperial German Navy. The Butterfly House is right next to Fort Jesus, so very easy to incorporate into a trip round the Fort and Old Town, but also well worth a visit on its own. Although small, is packed with both beautiful and interesting creatures. You can view butterflies from their larval stage to grown ups. See also evidences of slave trade and an amphitheatre that's being restored. Have a nice view of the LA marina. There is also a small shop.
Daily 8:30AM-6:30PMKsh 1500 (adults), Ksh 750 (kids) as of 2013
See
Haller Park
A zoological garden of about 75 hectares created in 1985 on the site of a formal coral reef. Animals include giraffes, hippos, monkeys, and reptiles. The park has two famous animals: Owen and Mzee. The former is a hippopotamus that was orphanized by the tsunami of 2004 and the second a tortoise that "adopted" the young hippo to the astonishment of the scientists. The best time to visit is between 14:00 and 15:00 when the animals are fed. Guides speak English, Spanish, French and other languages. Watch out for the monkeys, they are numerous and appear friendly but do occasionally bite.
8:30AM-5:30PMKsh 1600 as of 2013
Do
Jomvu Kuu
If you wish to get off the beaten path, there is a paved road north of Miritini (near the airport) which leads through a savanna landscape to the small village of Jomvu Kuu from where you have a view over the mangrove forest.
Do
Mama Ngina Park
Here you can look at the ships arriving in and leaving from the port and the ferry crossing over to Likoni, and take in some fresh ocean air.
free
See
Mamba Village & Lunar Park
A park of 20 hectares whose principal attraction is a farm with around 10,000 crocodiles. There is horseback and camel riding and the park also has a restaurant and a bar. The best time to visit is around 5PM when the crocodiles are fed. Next to the crocodile farm is a lunar park with several attractions for kids
Daily 7AM-6PM
Do
Mombasa Marine National Park and Marine Reserve
For divers the main attraction is the Leven coral reef in the Mombasa Marine National Park and Marine Reserve. Including reef crest habitats of the Bamburi-Nyali fringing reef and a part of the lagoon, this is the Kenya's most popular marine park. It has an area of 10 km2 and is part of a larger reserve of 200 km2. There are three wrecks that can be visited.
See
Nguuni Sanctury
The Nguuni Nature sanctuary is 4 km from Lafarge Bamburi Cement on the Nguu Tatu Hills and is the home to many animal, like giraffes, elands, oryx, waterbucks, ostriches and many different birds. It is a very good place to experience nature and safari feeling on foot. The wetlands with small lakes are an interesting place for bird watchers, who have the opportunity to observe many different species of birds. Large Doum Palm crowned by Leopard Orchids are scattered in the grassland. It is also a wonderful place for a nice afternoon with friends or family or just for a long walk followed by a sundowner. You can book the barbecue place for Ksh 2,000 for private parties. For Ksh 1200 you can hire a safari vehicle for 1-1.5 hours for animal watching. Transport entrance to the picnic area: Ksh 250.
Entrance fee Ksh 500
Do
Tiwi Beach
Tiwi Beach is a quiet beach on Mombasas south coast, not spoiled by mass tourism. Take the Likoni ferry to the south by taxi (ca. USD50) from Mombasa city center.
Do
Wild Waters Amusement Park
Water amusement park with 15 different toboggans. On hot days this is a good place to cool yourself. The water park is reportedly modern and clean. Other activities on site include a gaming arcade, a "disco arena" and several theme rides as well as food court.
10AM-6PMWith access to toboggans: Ksh 1200, entrance only: Ksh 300
Buy Not mapped
Naivas Supermarkets
Four stores, including one next to City Mall. One on the 2nd floor of Mwembe Tayari Mall Mombasa City Centre. One in Ukunda near Diani Beach. One in Bamburgh.
6:45AM-8:30PM
See
Lord Shiva Temple
Sikh temple worth visiting thanks to its gardens.
Drink
Pirates Beach Club
Bar and dancing on the beach.
Buy Not mapped
Chandarana Food Plus Supermarket
There is a second store at Diani Beach.
8AM-8PM

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Mombasa (CC BY-SA 4.0).