The coastal city of Mombasa is a cultural hotbed of music, nightlife and history with an exciting range of things to do for travellers of all ages. Along with its cultural heritage sites and trendy bars and clubs, Mombasa offers plenty of activities for the active traveller with outdoor opportunities such as hiking, nature sightseeing and boating to be enjoyed.

Things to do

If you love exploring new places on foot, then why not stroll through Mombasa’s Old Town district, which is a melting pot of Asian, Arab and European cultures, from the diverse architecture and restaurants to the antique stores and spice markets. Alternatively, you can find lively bars and clubs that come alive at night around the city so don’t plan on ending your day when the sun goes down.

Those interested in venturing further afield can experience the magic Kenyan wilderness up close on Avicennia Island by kayaking through the mangrove forests or laying back and relaxing on the beach. The Shimba Hills National Park is one of the largest coastal forests in East Africa, home to exotic animals, such as Sable antelope and bushy tailed mongoose, as well as the cascading Sheldrick Falls.

Getting around

If you want to travel like the locals do, then you can hop on a local Matatus mini bus, although you can also find taxis available if you’d rather go straight to your destination. Mombasa has its own airport, Moi International Airport, which handles flights from various destinations around the world including Dubai, Istanbul and Frankfurt.