Mombasa Things to Do

Nguuni Nature Sanctuary

What a great place for a party, celebration or just a sundowner BBQ, who would have thought you could sit having a drink by a camp fire and feel like you were in the bush just a mile or so from Bamburi township and around 3 from Bamburi Cement Works.

Up on the Nguu Tatu Hills (3 hills), you are in completely natural surroundings, and can see virtually nothing but unspoilt bush around you, (except in one direction where Bamburi Township is below you and quite close by). The reserve itself has giraffes, elands, oryx, waterbucks, ostriches and bird watching bandas. There was a one week old giraffe calf lurking nearby in the long grass and bush.

You can book one of the big fixed tables for 2,000 bob, then its 300 bob per person, bring your own food, and drink, they provide the fire and the big charcoal grill, and a guy to man it. We missed out because of some low clouds but it is one of the few places on this east facing coast you can see a sunset.

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Pirathes Beach is part of Bamburi Beach Resort which is several kilometres long. It is favourite beach for the locals and so many school excursions which coming here daily, from all of Kenya. While at the other parts water is pretty much very shallow and almost useless for the bathing, water at Pirathes enabling at least some basic swimmings.
I bet you didnt know that only small number of Kenyans know how to swimm, even those who was born and live in Bamburi or its close surroundings.

Ok first of all facts....Tsavo East National Park covers an area of about 12,000 km2, 40% of Kenya's parks' total area. This vast park lies in low semi arid country at the eastern edge of the inland plateau, north of the main Mombasa-Nairobi road and railway. Much of the park is level, open country with scattered rocky ridges and outcrops. Due to its size, the park is one of the world's wildlife and biodiversity strongholds.

We arranged a 3 day Safari from our hotel. It took about 2 hours to get to the park from Shelley Beach, Mombasa. This was the most powerful experience of my life. We were 6 feet away from one of the worlds most dangerous animals, lions, elephants, hippos, giraffes, etc. at sunrise on the second day were were fortunate enough to see Lions, we went to a waterhole were the lions wait for the buffalo because they know they have to drink sometime, so they pick them off.

We stayed in a 5 star hotel on the park, absolutely stunning and 5 course meals. On the night though giant flying dung beetles charge you, they are the size of a womens fist! My girlfriend at the time wouldn't leave the hotel room! Very funny.

Vasco da Gama was the first European to come to Mombasa in 1498 but he only stayed a week.However the natural harbour attracted attention and in 1589 a Turkish expedition built a fort there. This made the Portuquese fear for their safety so they attacked and took Mombasa in 1593 and built a large fort to guard the entrance to the harbour.
Fort Jesus has suffered murder, starvation, treachery, bombardment and siege . It has preserved the same basic shape since it was built.

Fort Jesus is openn daily from 8.30 am to 6.00 pm
For Non-Kenyans prices were 200;00 SHs for adults and !00k Shs for children.
A sound and light show with dinner is organized weekly. Reservations : Tel. 472213/471895

Some brief suggestions of things to do in the North Coast Mombasa area

Tour of Mombasa - the old town, harbour, Fort Jesus, Moi Avenue and shops, market, Temple and Mosques.

Haller Park - they have a variety of animals, reptiles, insects and botanical gardens - go in the afternoon and handfeed the giraffes. It was an old cement quarry which has been reclaimed and turned into a tropical forest. There is a nature trail there as well

Glass bottomed boat trip to the reef / snorkelling

Bombolulu cultural centre or Akamba wood co-op.

Visit Jumba la Mtwana ruins and have lunch at the excellent Monsoons bistro in its stunning location on the beach

Dhow cruises (Tamarind, La Marina or Moorings)

Visit a school or orphanage

Eat under the stars on Mtwapa Creek at either La Marina or The Moorings restaurants (both provide free pick up and drop off service)

I know from the Tripadvisor forums that it is difficult to find detailed maps of where resorts, restaurants, bars, banks, etc are in the Mombasa area so I set up this Google map of the Nyali, Bamburi, Shanzu and Kikambala areas

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A Go-Kart track with African charme. You drive under palm trees, and on which other Go-Kart track will you find camels and donkeys and turtles?
But beside the African touch, the place is on top standard with well maintained and fast Swiss Hutless go-Karts, and state of the art timing system. The karts have remote controlled speed governors, so that the speed can be reduced for kids.
There is also an Off-Road Race Track where you can hire and drive with beach buggies. Really cool!

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Of course - you don't go for karting to Mombasa. But if you are once there - why not? ... and if your kids will discover it, you end up spending the half holiday on this thrilling place.
A Go-Kart track with African charme. You drive under palm trees, and on which other Go-Kart track will you find camels and donkeys and turtles?
But beside the African touch, the place is on top standard with well maintained and fast Swiss Hutless go-Karts, and a state of the art timing system. The karts have remote controlled speed governors, so that the speed can be reduced for kids.

In most North Coast hotels you will find an information brochure and the place offers also a free shuttle service. (if you are lucky, a beautiful young african lady driver will come and pick you in an awesome red Willys Jeep ... already worth the money)

Beside Karting, there is also an off-road track with beach buggies. The kids have to be at least 14 years to drive them. For younger kids is the excavator park, with real excavators to dig in a huge sand heap and with some challenges and competitions.

Mombasa Go-Kart is located next to the Severin Sea Lodge Hotel and open from 4pm - 10pm Tuesday - Sunday. The center has a large sports screen where you can watch football , Rugby and any other major sprting event. There is a viewing veranda located in the bar and you can order food from the bar whilst you are having a drink and watch the action on the race track.