Connecting African Culture Through the Seas
The Amazing Journey of Bill Pinkney Imagine leaving your life and the familiar touch of soil beneath your feet to sail across treacherous seas around the globe with only a …
Located on Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast, Mombasa’s salty breezes, exotic history and cultural and ethnic diversity make it an enticing addition to an east African itinerary.
This port town was the stopping point for Indian, Arab, British and Portuguese conquerors for centuries, giving the modern-day city a flair and atmosphere that’s more reminiscent of Cairo or Dar es Salaam than Nairobi. The Old Town district features a warren of narrow streets and bustling shops, mosques blasting the call to prayer, old Swahili men sipping kahawa chungu (bitter coffee), and hustlers from all over the continent.
Echoes of the past can also be found in monuments like Fort Jesus, built by the Portuguese more than 500 years ago. But there are also more recent landmarks, like the elephant-tusk arches which grace Moi Avenue — they were erected during British colonial rule to commemorate a visit by Princess Margaret.
Haller Park, located five miles north of Mombasa island, offers a bit of nature amid the urban sprawl. Fitness buffs like its clearly marked hiking paths, while families like to get up close (but not too close) to the hippos, giraffes and crocodiles living there. Conservation fans are fascinated to learn how the Bamburi Cement Factory created the park as part of a rehabilitation of the used-up portions of a limestone quarry.
But most visitors don’t come to Mombasa for the history, culture or wildlife. They’re drawn by the beaches. Dozens line the coast both north and south of the island, and they’re a popular stopping off point for foreigners who have been on safari. Though pleasant, the beaches in Mombasa are not the wild, pristine sort: they are strewn with kiosks selling all sorts of touristy items to visitors from France and Germany, and the occasional tout may even offer you a camel ride.
Safety: In 2014 and 2015, Mombasa area had at eight terrorist attacks, one of which targeted a local resort frequented by Westerners. It is recommended that you check with your home country’s government travel advisories before booking a trip to Mombasa, and gauging your own personal tolerance for risk. The likelihood of being a victim of crime or terrorism is slim in Mombasa, but present.
The Amazing Journey of Bill Pinkney Imagine leaving your life and the familiar touch of soil beneath your feet to sail across treacherous seas around the globe with only a …
Mombasa is one of the most popular beach destinations in east Africa due to its location on the Indian Ocean and pristine beaches. And if you’re looking for an idyllic …