Mombasa

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.

Commonwealth War Cemetery Manyimbo

Graves of 225 Commonwealth soldiers and two other soldiers from World War II.

daily 6AM-6PM

Commonwealth War Cemetery Mbaraki

The final resting place for 197 Commonwealth soldiers of which 51 died in World War I and 146 in World War II, plus two French soldiers.

daily 6AM-6PM

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-6:30PM·Ksh 1500 (adults), Ksh 750 (kids) as of 2013

Fort St Joseph

Close to the golf course near Mama Ngina Drive, this ruin is probably the oldest fortress on the island built by Arabs. It stood when Vasco Da Gama first came to Mombasa. It is not really impressive but it's a nice viewpoint too and worth a visit.

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-5:30PM·Ksh 1600 as of 2013

Holy Ghost Cathedral

The neo-Gothic building right in downtown is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa and a visible landmark.

Krapf Memorial

This 19th-century monument memorialises the German explorer and missionary Johann Ludwig Krapf who became the first European to see Mount Kenya with the help of the Kamba people.

Leven House

In the 19th century this building was the headquarters of the British Navy's anti-slavery campaigns in the region. It is named after a British warship. Later the building has been used by missionaries, a shipping company and as a consulate. There is a restaurant in the building.

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

Mangrove of Tudor Creek

It is possible to visit the mangrove forests of the Kombeni and Tsalu rivers which form the Tudor Creek. To do that, ask a fisherman at Cape Kiberamni or Junda Creek to take you there.

Prices are negotiable

Mbaraki Pillar

The Mbaraki Pillar is a historic tower monument made of coral stone, approximately 14 metres high. It is considered the second-oldest historic monument in Mombasa after Fort Jesus and is a listed national monument. The hollow tower is also known locally as Mnarani (‘place of the tower’). Whilst an adjacent mosque dates back to the 15th century (c. 1400–1450), the construction of the tower itself is dated to around 1700. Unlike other pillar-like structures on the Swahili Coast, it is not a burial site. Its actual purpose – whether as a landmark, a lighthouse or a ritualised structure – remains a matter of historical debate. In local Swahili and Giriama culture, the tower is regarded as the dwelling place of powerful spirits (mzimu or panga). The site is still used today for spiritual ceremonies. Visitors offer incense (ubani), rose water or small food offerings to seek healing, fertility or protection.

New Dwarikadham Temple

This complex of 8100 m² serves the Krishna Consciousness community and includes a vegetarian restaurant.

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

Old town

Along Tudor Creek north of Fort Jesus, these districts make up the original city. It is an example of typical Swahili architecture with a much more peaceful ambience than the rest of the city. Much of it has been converted into souvenir shops and restaurants and here you can find artisanal stores selling silver jewellery and small furniture. If you are afraid of getting lost among the small streets or don't want to miss anything, there are guides at the esplanade of Fort Jesus that can show you around the old town for Ksh 1000. A nice place to explore on a Sunday when much of the city is closed down.

Shri Kutch Satsang Temple

Constructed in 1957, it is the oldest mandir of Swaminarayan Hinduism outside India.

The tusks of Moi Avenue

The tusks were built in 1956 to welcome Princess Margaret, who was visiting Mombasa town. Today they are some of the most characteristic landmarks of Mombasa. They are located at the entrance to the city and not made of ivory as is sometimes thought, but of steel. The tusks form an M (which stands for Mombasa).

Hindu temples

Mandirs

Thanks to its Indian community Mombasa has several beautiful Hindu temples (mandirs) to visit. Visitors are able to go inside the temple accompanied by a guide from the temple. Inside there are artifacts, idols and cultural pictures and paintings.

Lord Shiva Temple

Sikh temple worth visiting thanks to its gardens.