Mombasa, Kenya » Entertainment » Attractions

Old Town

'Old Town’ basically describes that period of Mombasa when the town was under the heavy influence of the Arabs culture, especially in the architecture and language.

Its ancient buildings, art designs, boutiques, and shops that sell paintings are famous among the tourists for its antique and souvenirs.

You can just roam through its streets to  get a feel of the place. The narrow streets accommodate a large number of vehicles where you can see the town’s inhabitants mostly of Arab origin.

Fort Jesus

Mombasa's top tourist destination, Fort Jesus shouldn't be missed when visiting the city. It was built by the Portuguese during the 16th century for protection from foreign invaders and local riots. The Arabs took over the fort when they came over Mombasa. Fort Jesus displays canons and weapons, and serves as venue for local events and hosts many research programs like Conservation Lab, Education Department and an Old Town Conservation Office.

Address: Mombasa KE, Kenya

Mombasa Tusks

The Mombasa Tusks is one of the city's known landmarks. It was made as tribute to Queen Elizabeth when she visited Mombasa in 1952 to take on a Kenyan Safari.

Ivory symbolizes luxury and exquisite commodity at the time, and as statement to the British Empire and the Queen. The tusks are intersecting, forming the letter 'M' for Mombasa. It can be found along the road from the port to the town central where most institutions, like hospitals, banks, schools and markets, are.

Address: Opposite Uhuru Gardens, Moi Ave, Mombasa, Kenya

Mamba Village

Another tourist stop is the Mamba Village. This is a crocodile farm, with camel and horseback riding activities. Visitors can enjoy interacting with animals, as well as benefit from the garden path that leads to the floral and plants collection. There is also a marine aquarium, carnivorous species and snakes on display.

Address: Links Rd, Mombasa, Kenya

Bamburi Nature Trail

Also known as Haller Park Trail, Bamburi Nature Trail is a quarry rehabilitation project with the help of Bamburi Portland Cement Company. Many interesting species are living within the grounds of the compound. There are African buffaloes, waterbuck, eland, oryx, porcupine, Aldabra tortoises, crocodiles, monkeys and birds.

The reforestation project features various vegetative species like Casuarina, Conocarpus, Algaroba, Neem, Fig and Indigenous Species.

Address: Majengo, Mombasa, Kenya

Gedi Ruins

The Gedi ruins that lie to the North coast of Mombasa towards the town of Malindi lays are one the most historic ruins found in Mombasa. Built of rocks, Gedi was a small town that was inhabited by a few thousand Swahili people.

Ruled by a very rich Sultan, today only the ruins have remained that date back from the 15th century and thus attracts the tourists.

Preserved as a National Museum, these ruins are a direct reflection of the commitment of the Government to sustain the country’s cultural and historical background.

It presents itself as a historical Arab-African town which is one of the many remnants of the gone era and is perhaps the only one open for public visitors.

Address: Off Watamu Road, Gede, Gede Watamu Rd, Kenya

There are many paths in the ruins that visitors can track:

Gedi's Dated Tomb

Gedi's Tomb Of The Fluted Pillar

Gedi's Great Mosque

Gedi's Palace

Gedi's Annexe

Gedi Houses

Gedi House Of The Cowries

There are also Gedi houses on the premises:

House Of The Porcelain Bowl

House Of The Paneled Walls

Mosque Of The Long Conduit

House of the Ivory Box

House Of The Iron Lamp

House Of The Venetian Bead

House Of The Sunken Court

House Of The Long Court

House On The Wall

House of the Dhow

House of the Double Court