Best Places and Tourist Attractions To Visit in and Around Mombasa.

The city of Mombasa is amazing. On one level, it’s a fantastic place in and of itself. It’s a vibrant Swahili city with several excellent sights, welcoming locals, and intriguing architecture. However, it also serves as a gateway town to the beaches on Kenya’s south coast. Additionally, it’s a fantastic starting point for trips to the southeast country’s safari parks and reserves. This is our list of the top tourist destinations in Mombasa and the surrounding area.

1. The Fort of Jesus

Fort Jesus, which is recognized as a Unesco World Heritage Site, is the most impressive of all the sites to see in Mombasa. Oh, the history of this fort! Constructed by the Portuguese in 1593, it was ruled by the Omanis, Swahili rebels, and the British throughout the ensuing years, all of whom left their mark. Explore the architectural details, stroll the ramparts and take in the views, and visit the museum to discover the rich history of the fort.

2. The Market for Spices

The medieval spice trade made East Africa’s Indian Ocean coastline rich, and the region’s architecture and diverse populace nevertheless bear witness to this history today. Visit the amazing spice market to experience the complete sensory explosion and to see how spices continue to be a part of daily life in Mombasa.

While street food vendors use the spices just outside the market’s borders, vocal salespeople hawk pyramids of cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, pepper, turmeric, and other curry powders to create a riot of color, noise, and aroma. The spice market is located along Nehru and Langoni Roads, just west of the Old Town. It’s among Mombasa’s top tourist destinations.

3. Diani Beach

Diani Beach need to be on your list of places to visit after you’ve seen Mombasa’s many tourist attractions. Mombasa is easily accessible from Diani, Kenya’s leading beach and coastal vacation town. This amazing location offers a stunning beach, a wide variety of activities, and excellent dining and lodging alternatives. Other beaches (Takaungu and Tiwi) and the eerie holy woodland of Kaya Kinondo are among the many neighboring attractions. Spend a day here, or even better, stay for a long time.

Depending on the Likoni Ferry, the travel from Mombasa is 35 km/22 mi and takes 1½ to 2 hours.
Where to stay: High-end boutique beach hotels, inexpensive hostels, and most other options
Activities include skydiving, water sports, diving, snorkeling, and boat trips.

4. Tsavo East National Park

One of the nicest things you can do from Mombasa is go on a safari to Tsavo East National Park. Actually, with its amazing variety of species, Tsavo East is the closest large park in Kenya to Mombasa. Highlights will most likely include lions (watch for the Tsavo males with their scruffy wisps of hair in place of manes), zebras, giraffes, elephants (which are frequently covered in the red Tsavo dust), and much more. Other potential prizes include Somali ostriches, gerenuks, and cheetahs.

Driving time and distance from Mombasa: 2 to 4 hours, 123 km/76 km
Accommodations available inside the park and slightly beyond the western boundary include lodges and tent camps in a variety of price ranges.
Activities: Birdwatching and wildlife observation (game drives)

5. Tsavo West National Park

Tsavo West National Park might not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering things to do from Mombasa. But it’s close enough to make a multi-day trip from the city, and it’s one of Kenya’s top game parks with some breathtaking scenery.

Admire the verdant Mzima Springs with its baboons, crocodiles, and hippos, or the volcanic rock formations. In the Ngulia Hills region, you may also keep an eye out for animals, such as lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and others. The birdlife is incredible, and you may even spot rhinos.

Driving time and distance from Mombasa: 4 to 5 hours, 210 km/130 mi
Accommodation options include a budget campground and a small selection of mid-range and luxury lodges within the park.
Activities: Birdwatching and wildlife observation (game drives)

6. The Wildlife Sanctuary in Taita Hills

Do not overlook Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary if you have traveled all the way to Tsavo. It promises traditional safari scenery of savannah grasslands and sparsely forested hills and is run by the local community. Elephants, lions, cheetahs, and klipspringers are among the many creatures that can be seen against this setting. At the entrance to the sanctuary is an interesting WWI museum, and Taita Hills is particularly well-known for its bird watching.

Driving time and distance from Mombasa: 3 to 5 hours, 201 km/125 mi
Accommodations: The sanctuary is home to a few upper-midrange lodges.
Activities include visiting a museum, birdwatching, and wildlife observation (game drives).

7. The Wildlife Conservancy of Lumo Community

Another community-run refuge is Lumo, which is close to Taita Hills. Big cats, elephants, and many other species can be found in Lumo, despite the fact that it doesn’t get many tourists. This region is home to about half of Kenya’s 1,100 bird species, including some true regional specialties like the Taita thrush, Taita white-eye, and Taita apalis. The best part is that you may go on night drives or even a walking safari, and other safari vehicles are uncommon.

Driving time and distance from Mombasa: 3 to 5 hours, 210 km/130 mi
Accommodation options include luxury tented camps, a few mid-range lodges, and campgrounds.
Activities include birdwatching, walking safaris, and wildlife viewing (daily and nightly game drives).

8. The National Reserve of Shimba Hills

Shimba Hills National Reserve, one of Kenya’s lesser-known safari gems, is a fantastic journey from Mombasa. Elephants, sable antelopes, buffalo, baboons, and giraffes may all be seen at Shimba slopes, which combines spacious grasslands with picturesque, forested slopes. In addition to its rich birds, the area is renowned for its impressive butterfly population.

52 km/32 mi and two hours of driving time from Mombasa
Accommodations: One upscale lodge within the reserve Activities: Birdwatching and game drives to see wildlife

9. Marine National Park Kisite-Mpunguti

It’s easy to overlook the fact that Kenya’s amazing wildlife can be found underwater as well as on land. Dolphins, sea turtles, and a variety of sharks, stingrays, and fish can be found in Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park, which is located off Wasini Island in Kenya’s far southeast, close to the Tanzanian border. It is impossible to believe the stunning underwater world created by these immaculate coral reefs.

Driving time and distance from Mombasa: 2½ to 4 hours, 85 km/53 mi
Where to stay: There are a few low-cost and mid-range lodging options on Wasini Island.
Activities include dhow cruises, water sports, diving, and snorkeling.

10. Elephant Sanctuary in Mwaluganje

With so many elephants on display, Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary is hardly known to tourists from other countries. You might occasionally even have the elephant sightings to yourself, and it’s delightfully calm. Additionally, the environment is quite unique, especially throughout the reserve’s Cha Simba Valley area. A visit here gives the local community, which is in charge of the refuge, a clear indication of support.

Driving time and distance from Mombasa: 1½ to 2 hours, 59 km/37 mi
Where to stay: Pick between its affordable campground and a luxurious tented camp.
Activities: Birdwatching and wildlife observation (game drives)