Mombasa, Kenya » Entertainment » Attractions

Old Town

Old Town is an example of typical Swahili architecture and has a more peaceful ambience than the rest of the city; it comprises Makadara and Mzizima districts. These districts make up the original city. Its ancient buildings, art designs, boutiques, and shops that sell paintings are famous among the tourists for its antique and souvenirs.
You can roam through its streets to get a feel of the place - the town's inhabitants are mostly of Arab origin.

Fort Jesus

Fort Jesus is Mombasa's top tourist destination. 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 to Mombasa. Fort Jesus displays canons and weapons, serves as the venue for local events, and hosts many research programs like Conservation Lab, Education Department, and an Old Town Conservation Office.

Mombasa Tusks

The Mombasa Tusks is one of the city's most famous landmarks. The tusks were made commemorating a visit to Mombasa by Queen Elizabeth in 1952 to take on a Kenyan Safari.

Ivory symbolises luxury and exquisite commodity and as a 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 centre.

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

Mamba Village

Another tourist stop is the Mamba Village. It is a crocodile farm with camel and horseback riding activities. Visitors can enjoy interacting with animals and 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

Haller Park

It is a quarry rehabilitation project with the help of Bamburi Portland Cement Company. Many exciting species live within the compound's grounds, like African buffaloes, waterbuck, eland, oryx, porcupine, Aldabra tortoises, crocodiles, monkeys and birds.

The 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 historical ruins found in Mombasa. Built of rocks, Gedi was a small town that a few thousand Swahili people inhabited. Ruled by a wealthy Sultan, today only the ruins have remained from the 15th century and thus attract tourists.

Preserved as a National Museum, these ruins directly reflect the government's commitment to sustain the country's cultural and historical background. It presents itself as a historical Arab-African town, 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