Mombasa, Kenya
Diani Beach
mombasa city
Mombasa
mombasa, dive
Mombasa carnival, kenya
kisite, dolphin, mombasa
mombasa beach, mombasa
An aerial view of Mombasa skyline at sunset from the old town

Mombasa

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Mombasa Travel Packages

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3 Days / 2 Nights

Mombasa Tour Package - 2 Nights 3 days

$ 429
18% off
$348   per adult on twin sharing
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7 Days / 6 Nights

7-Day Kenyan Adventure: Wildlife, Culture, and Coastal Bliss Package

$ 1,649
16% off
$1,383   per adult on twin sharing
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6 Days / 5 Nights

Tsavo & Mombasa Package: 6-Day Safari & Beach Retreat

$ 1,574
6% off
$1,468   per adult on twin sharing
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10 Days / 9 Nights

10 Days Kenya Sun and Sand Safari Package

$ 3,482
22% off
$2,711   per adult on twin sharing
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11 Days / 10 Nights

Kenyan Safari & Coastal Escape – 10 nights 11 days

$ 4,189
20% off
$3,346   per adult on twin sharing
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10 Days / 9 Nights

10 Days Best of Kenya Package: Wildlife and Beach

$ 3,224
7% off
$2,985   per adult on twin sharing
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Mombasa Travel Essentials

Rating:

 
3.4 /5 (34 ratings) Rate This Destination

Weather:

Ideal duration: 2 days

Best Time: July to September Read More

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"The city of fun, games and adventure. "

Mombasa Tourism

Mombasa, located on the southeastern coast of Kenya, is a vibrant and diverse city that draws visitors for its historical significance, pristine beaches, and lively culture. As Kenya's second-largest city and a major port, Mombasa serves as a vital gateway for international trade. Its strategic location along the Indian Ocean has facilitated a rich cultural blend of Swahili, Arab, Indian, and European influences can be seen.

The city's landmarks, such as the Mombasa Tusks commemorating Princess Margaret's visit, the bustling Spice Market, and the imposing Fort Jesus, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflect its fascinating past and cosmopolitan character. Mombasa offers a quintessential Kenyan coastal adventure with warm hospitality, stunning coastline, and rich cultural experiences.

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Must Know Before You Travel to Mombasa

  • Local Transportation: In Mombasa, people mostly use tuk-tuks to get around. Taxis are also popular, but they can be pricier, typically costing between Ksh 1500-3000. If you're looking for a cheaper option, try Uber or Taxify.
  • Health Precautions: Travelers to Mombasa should take health precautions, including preventive malaria medicine, anti-insect sprays, and Yellow Fever vaccination with a certificate, especially when coming from risk regions.
  • Prime Time for Water Adventures: October to March is ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving in Mombasa's Diani area.
  • Consistent Humidity: Mombasa maintains a steady humidity level of about 70%.
  • Popular Combination: Many coastal visitors opt to blend their beach stay with a safari. Nearby parks include Tsavo East, Tsavo West National Parks, and Shimba Hills National Reserve.

Things To Do In Mombasa

Haller Park

Haller Park
Diani Beach

Diani Beach
Fort Jesus

Fort Jesus
Mombasa Marine National Park

Mombasa Marine National Park
Mombasa Old Town

Mombasa Old Town
Nguuni Nature Sanctuary

Nguuni Nature Sanctuary
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Top Hotels In Mombasa

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More on Mombasa Travel

Travel Tips for Mombasa

  • Negotiation: Negotiation is a common practice in Mombasa's markets and when dealing with street vendors.
  • Currency: Carry smaller denominations of Kenyan Shilling (KES) for easier transactions. Some places also accept Euros and USDs.
  • ATM & Currency Exchange: Currency exchange stations and ATMs are available at the Moi International Airport.
  • Water: It is advised to avoid tap water and drink only sealed bottled water to stay safe.

History of Mombasa

The exact date when the city was found is debatable. But, several history books say that Mombasa was found as early as 900 A.D. It is also believed that it was a prosperous town. It was a well-to-do trade centre, dealing in spices, ivory and more. Mombasa was the capital of the Protectorate of Kenya, after 1887. Later, Kenya's capital was shifted to Nairobi, which has not changed since.

Nightlife in Mombasa

Mombasa has quite a good nightlife and a fun vibe to it. Il Covo is a famous spot which has a restaurant and a disco, frequented by the Indian locals of Mombasa. Florida Club is Mombasa's most famous club. You can also head to Tapas Cielo or Tamarind Dhow for a live band and dinner aboard a cruise.

Shopping in Mombasa

Mombasa is a great place for shopping for knick-knacks like artefacts, souvenirs, clothes, household items and food items. Found in most local shops and street stalls are Mombasa Sandals. These are made from leather and old tyres and make an excellent souvenir. African fabrics like esos (khangas) and kikois are also easily found here. 

Diani Beach Shopping Centre is a great place to shop for all things exclusively African. For delicate beaded jewellery, visit the Kazuri store. For an authentically Kenyan shopping experience, head to central Mombasa, stroll along streets such as Mwembe Tayari and pick up anything that catches your eye there.

Best Time to Visit Mombasa

Top Stories about Mombasa Tourism

Sightseeing

Sightseeing

Things to Do in Mombasa
Beaches & Islands

Beaches & Islands

Beaches in Mombasa
Experiences

Experiences

15 Best Spas in Mombasa
Adventure

Adventure

Diving in Mombasa: Best Time, Sites, Tips, and More
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Shimba Hills National Reserve
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Nairobi , Kenya
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Tsavo East National Park
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Malindi
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Amboseli National Park
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Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
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Tsavo West National Park
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Lamu Island
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How to Reach Mombasa

How to Reach Overview

Mombasa is easily accessible from nearby cities via air, road, or rail. Moi International Airport connects to cities in Africa and the Middle East, while well-maintained roads and Kenya Railways offer convenient options. Long-distance buses are also available from major cities.

How to reach Mombasa by flight

Travelers can get to Mombasa by flying into Moi International Airport (MBA), situated around 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) west of the city center. The airport connects to several cities in Africa and the Middle East, making it convenient for international visitors, and it also serves domestic flights from Nairobi and other major Kenyan cities.

From Nairobi, the journey takes around one hour and costs approximately $130 for a round-trip per person.

Domestic flights can be booked through Kenya Airways, and international flights can be booked on Skyscanner.You can get to Mombasa from Moi International Airport, which is about 13 km from the main city. From there, you can rent a taxi to take you to the city or even a bus.

How to reach Mombasa by road

Mombasa is well-connected to other cities and towns in Kenya through a network of well-maintained roads. Major highways like the A109 connect Nairobi to Mombasa, making it an approximately 485-kilometer (301-mile) journey that takes around 8 hours by car. Additionally, there are road connections to other popular destinations along the Kenyan coast and inland regions.

How to reach Mombasa by train

The Kenya Railways offers train services between Nairobi and Mombasa with three trains daily. The journey takes approximately 4 to 5 hours and costs from $7 - $25 for a one-way trip. Trains are also scheduled from smaller cities like Voi, Mtito Andei, etc. The Mombasa railway station is located around 15km from the city centre.

How to reach Mombasa by bus

Long-distance buses serve routes from Nairobi, Kisumu, and other major cities to Mombasa. Modern Coast, Tahmeed Coach, Dreamline Coach, Coast Bus, and Mash Poa are some of the popular bus service providers. Bus tickets cost around $8 - $20.

How to reach Mombasa by waterways

Local transport in Mombasa

You can use two modes of transport to get around Mombasa - matatus or mini-buses and tuk-tuks or auto rickshaws. Matatus will cost you about KSh30 for a short trip. The range for a tuk-tuk would lie between KSh50 to KSh200.

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Nearby Destinations for Packages

Ukunda

Shimba Hills National Reserve

Wasini Island

Watamu

Nairobi

Tsavo East National Park

Malindi

Amboseli National Park

Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

Tsavo West National Park

Singapore

Top Listed Packages

Mombasa Tour Package - 2 Nights 3 days

Mombasa Photos

Mombasa, Kenya
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FAQs on Mombasa

What is the best way to reach Mombasa?

You can get to Mombasa by plane, train, bus, a cab or car.
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What is the best time to visit Mombasa?

This time period witnesses lots of bright sunshine and spotless skies. Needless to say, your time here will be much more enjoyable and you will be able to make the most of the safaris, if you visit during these months.
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What is the local food in Mombasa?

Mombasa has a wide variety of delicious food. Street food is your best bet if you want to indulge in the best of sea-food and coastal cuisine. Viazi Karai or fried potatoes is a specialty here, apart from prawns, octopus and other fish dishes.
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What are the top hotels in Mombasa?

There are 519 in Mombasa which can be booked through Holidify. The most popular hotels in Mombasa are Fastcare Lamarina villa c9, Time Out Art Camp, Sun Set Paradise Baringo 12, Emirates Reef Apartment, SIFA PRIVATE APARTMENT, Joe's Beach Close Studio. You can see all the hotels in Mombasa here

What are the places near Mombasa?

The top places near to Mombasa are Nairobi which is 440 km from Mombasa, London which is located 7235 km from Mombasa, Dubai which is located 3663 km from Mombasa, Amsterdam which is located 7075 km from Mombasa, New york city which is located 12286 km from Mombasa

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