Each time I leave Mombasa, I feel as though I have left a little piece
of me behind. There's something about the character of the place and the
people that is beautiful and unpretentious, and leaves me with a sense
of wonderment.
Mombasa is the epitome of captivating scenery, with its soft white sandy
beaches, swaying palms and azure Indian Ocean. I have found that one of
the most enjoyable ways to explore the beaches in Mombasa is atop a
camel. Camel rides are offered on the beaches outside most beach hotels
and resorts at negotiable rates. There are also a variety of beach
vendors selling locally made beautifully carved wooden and soapstone
curios, jewellery, batiks, paintings and 'khangas' (traditional pieces
of brightly coloured fabric worn by East African women as a wrap-around
garment) amongst other items. If you are up for a couple of hours of
sitting on the beach while someone tugs at your hair, you can also get
your hair braided or have Wanja (black henna) applied on your hands or
as a temporary 'tattoo'! If the heat is getting to you, there are plenty
of hawkers selling refreshing 'Madafu' (coconut water) right out of the
baby coconuts.
But Mombasa is also so much more than just sun and sand. If you are able
to tear yourself away from the beaches, there is an abundance of places
to explore and things to experience in and around Mombasa that will
make your trip that much more fulfilling.
Located in the heart of town on Mombasa's ever-busy Moi Avenue is its
famous landmark depicted by two pairs of giant intersecting tusks which
spell the letter 'M' for Mombasa. These 'Tusks' were built directly on
the path from the port to the town to honour the visit of Queen
Elizabeth to the town in 1952. Moi Avenue provides an interesting
opportunity for exploration as it is lined with a double row of souvenir
shops and stalls.
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Mombasa is the famous
Fort Jesus, built in the shape of a man by the Portuguese in the late
16th Century about a mile from the old Swahili and Arab town in order to
guard the Old Port of Mombasa. Today the Fort houses a museum and you
can view the torture rooms and prison cells where slaves were held in
captivity.
Exotic old town Mombasa is steeped in history and features styles and
traditions common to coastal Swahili villages and late 19th century
Indian and British colonial architecture. Although most of the houses
here are no more than about a hundred years old, they present
beautifully intricate carved doors and door frames modelled on Swahili
designs. The narrow winding streets and busy markets here are alive with
the vibrant colours of the traditional coastal 'khangas' worn by both
men and women. This area of Mombasa is definitely worth exploring and
walking guides are readily available.
If flora and fauna are what you're looking for then the three places
that are a must-visit are Haller Park in Bamburi, Shimba Hills game
reserve and the famous Mamba Village in Nyali. Haller Park is Mombasa's
largest animal sanctuary and is home to a variety of animals and
botanical gardens. It is also home to famous best friends Owen the Hippo
and Mzee the tortoise. The Shimba Hills game reserve is located south
of Mombasa and is a tropical rain forest known for its abundant
wildlife, renowned for its night-time game viewing and is also home to
the rare sable antelope. The Mamba Village is East Africa's largest
crocodile farm where you can witness these remarkable beasts fight for
food during feeding time in the evenings.