Mombasa Island Travel Guide

 
by sarahjessop2008
 
  •   Hotels
    by sarahjessop2008
  •   Mombasa Island
    by Fiuman
  •   Mombasa Island
    by Fiuman
  •   Mombasa Island
    by Fiuman
  •   Things to Do
    by Fiuman
 

Pro

tomtje profile photo

  THe girls, tusker beer, nature, beaches, friendliness,... 


Con

tomtje profile photo

  aids, poverty 


In a nutshell

wahowe profile photo

  Sleeping giant structures of the ancient world. 

 

Explore Mombasa Island

Things to Do  

Fort Jesus

Fort Jesus, Mombasa Island

 Fiuman Says:  A visit to the -16th century; Fort Jesus in the Old Town is a "must",located on the edge of a coral ridge overlooking the entrance to the Old Port of Mombasa, was built by the Portuguese in 1593 to protect their trade route to India and their interests in East Africa. 

bamburi nature park

bamburi nature park, Mombasa Island

 tomtje Says:  If you don't want to spend a whole day or more on safari, you can visit the bamburi nature park.Very nice green surrounding, good guides and lot of animals (most in captivity)It is nice and relaxing.see crocodiles, hippos, girafs beeing fed.giant turtles,monkeys, leguanos,... 

Hotels  

Kenya Bay Beach Hotel: Great value for money

Kenya Bay Beach Hotel: Great value for money, Mombasa Island

 sarahjessop2008 Says:  This is our second stay at the kenya bay in Bamburi Mombasa and im writing this review while still at the hotel. thoroughly enjoying our stay here. Stayed here last in 2008 and since then there have been many pleasant changes in this hotel. We had booked direct with the... 

travellers beach club: my favourite hotel

travellers beach club: my favourite hotel, Mombasa Island

 tomtje Says:  It is a great club, friendly staff, an enormous swimming pool, nice shows in the eveningand it is all inclusive....Even i went out every evening it is still a good idea to book all inc.I is just a small amount more you pay, but for during the day some drinks, lunch, snacks,... 

Restaurants  

restaurant in travellers hotel: indian food

restaurant in travellers hotel: indian food, Mombasa Island

 tomtje Says:  Very popular are indian restaurants in Kenya.Whatr i've heard is that the indian restaurant in travellers hotel is the most famous and popular one in mombasa.I didn't eat there, so me I don't know.The rest of food in mombasa isn't that great, you don't have very much fancy... 

Nightlife  

TEMBO: open air disco

TEMBO: open air disco, Mombasa Island

 tomtje Says:  this is a great disco !!!!!it is a VERY BIG open air dico, filled with locals and tourists.the music is mixture op popmusic and r 'n b and hip hop and ....prices are a little more expensive than other places along the coast but it is worth it.it is closed at 5 am but then... 

TUSKER BEER

TUSKER BEER, Mombasa Island

 tomtje Says:  If you like beer, you don't have to worry in mombasa, because the have tusker. it is the national beer and tastes great. In bars, clubs,... they will charge you about everywhere 100 shilling wich is about. 1, 40 euro for a 50 cl. bottle.Imported drinkes like whisky, gin are... 

bora bora/cheers/casaurena/pirates/tembo/bamburi: nightlife specialist

bora bora/cheers/casaurena/pirates/tembo/bamburi: nightlife specialist, Mombasa Island

 tomtje Says:  Nightlife is great , everybody likes dancing and is really friendly.Men , be aware that u will be approached by dozens of girls.If you are interested , buy them a drink , otherways say just no (on a polite way).I say do what you want, but treat everybody with respect. that... 

cassaurena / tembo / bamburi resort: party all day round

cassaurena / tembo / bamburi resort: party all day round, Mombasa Island

 tomtje Says:  Another good thing is that a lot of places never close.during the day you can eat, play pool, darts,...and at night : party !!!!!!!Very nice is after going to a disco or something, go around 6 am to the bamburi resort bar on the beach and watch the sunset, it is beautiul. 

Transportation  

matatu

matatu, Mombasa Island

 Fiuman Says:  Matatu is the fastest way to travel 

matatu

matatu, Mombasa Island

 tomtje Says:  If u are tired to walk , you can always take matatus. these are colorful minibusses.always packed with locals (and a few tourists)even with loud music inside and at night with blacklights.normal price : 10 shilling, but as a you are tourist sometimes you pay 20 shilling,... 

Warnings Or Dangers  

Crime & Prostitution

Crime & Prostitution, Mombasa Island

 bobby13 Says:  Generally Mombasa is one of the safest towns in Kenya, thats because of the tourist industry, but still every week someone is killed by muggers. The Kenyan authorities are not doing enough to reslove the problem. Majority of the incidents happen to rich local businessmen... 

drugs

drugs, Mombasa Island

 tomtje Says:  Do not use drugs (GANJA). They will ask you to join them but don't.You never know if it is a policemen off duty who is trying to frame you for bribe money.Also you really don't want to go to a kenyan prison... 

telephone calls

telephone calls, Mombasa Island

 tomtje Says:  Never use a telephone in a hotel, normally in a hotel it is always a bit more expensive but in mombasa it is crazy how much they charge in tha hotels.Best thing is to go to a local village, and go to a "phone central" (don't expect a big building, it is just one room with a... 

Tourist Traps  

Wood Carvings@the beach

Wood Carvings@the beach, Mombasa Island

 bobby13 Says:  You've just arrived at your hotel and checked in, you are suffering from jet lag but the white beach and turquoise water looks so inviting.You step out on to the beach only to be overwhelmed by beach traders, trying to sell you wood carvings. I decided to buy 20 key rings... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Watch the ships come in

Watch the ships come in, Mombasa Island

 bobby13 Says:  Light House is the unoffical name for Mama Nagina Road, this is where al the locals gather on Sundays after 4pm till late, theres loads to do especially walking the cliff you can get a nice spot to sit on the edge of the cliff with a 'madafu' coconut in your hand to drink, I... 

pictures

pictures, Mombasa Island

 tomtje Says:  always ask before taking pictures, to avoid problems.children always like to pose for pics.They play first a little by running away, but atd the proudly pose for your picture. 

local villages

local villages, Mombasa Island

 tomtje Says:  If you are in a bar or restaurant, and the waiter starts talking to you. ask him some questions about life there in general. there is a good chance he will invite you to visit his village. I did it and it was great. He showed us his " room" local shops, church, met people of... 

Favorites  

enjoy the views

enjoy the views, Mombasa Island

 tomtje Says:   the best thing about mombasa are just the people. i have never seen such friendliness. I also went to senegal and there it is just the other way around : begging, constantly bothering you for money,...... In mombasa none of that, even people that you are just passing by... 

The Place

Plan a Mombasa Island vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Mombasa Island locals

Experience Mombasa Island
  •   19 Tips and Reviews
  •  24 Photos
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Map of Mombasa Island
 

The People

23 Members Live Here
 
Our Members Say
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 always ask before taking pictures, to avoid problems.children always like to pose for pics.They play first a little by running away, but atd the proudly pose... 

23 members live in Mombasa Island

 

Questions and Answers

engsup56 profile photo

Q:  what is the cost pp for a 2day 1 night safari and other trips. I am staying in Bamburi Beach Hotel. Do you book with Beach... 

Durfun profile photo

A: Hi, I guess you're thinking of a National Park safari to see animals? From Mombasa, given your time constraints, the best place to see would be Tsavo. Book with reps... 

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Top Mombasa Island Writers

1

the best place on earth

tomtje profile photo

 hi, mombasa is great!!! I read all the comments, like dangerous, be careful of beach boys, crime, matatu risky, nights dangerous,....... *** !!!! I was there a week and walked alone on the beach in... 

2

Welcome to Paradise

bobby13 profile photo

 When visiting Kenya please be prepared to face poverty, its a fact of life some people will always be more fortunate then others or worse off for that matter. Also some children you see begging are...... 

3

Old town , market

Fiuman profile photo

 Mombasa's biggest market is the Makupa Market off Mwembe Tayari, a colourful place featuring a wide range of produce that is well worth a visit. 

4

Mombasa Island, Kenya

mikkis42 profile photo

 I was last in Mombasa April 2010. I wonder, if the part of town called "Tudor" is just the promontory where Abdel Nasser Rd. plies through? And/or is it, too, the area where there are the Rassini Rd.... 

5

Mombasa

wahowe profile photo

 This is a much fought after town in the 15th and 16th century. Evidenced by the living stones of age-old architect 'Fort Jesus'. This ancient building is truly magnificent and a major tourist... 

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