MOMBASA EXCURSIONS
If you have a day to spend in Mombasa, or having a break of 2, 3 or 4 days, you can tour the coastal island city of Mombasa or do short tours and safaris. During your stay we can arrange a number of interesting excursions that will show you the special sights and sounds of this colorful old coastal city including visits to historical sites and cultural places among them the characterful Old Town, with its narrow, winding alleyways, historic Swahili houses and the remains of the mighty Fort Jesus.
Mombasa City Tour
Destination: Mombasa town, Baobab forest
Departs: 0930hrs
Duration: Half Day
Mombasa Half Day City Tour takes you to Mombasa Town the second largest city in Kenya, which is on the island, diverse and intriguing population, women in dark bui-bui or wrapped in brilliant multicolored kanga, a visit to Fort Jesus, the old town, Baobab forest, Elephant Tusks and Akamba Woodcraft.
On the tour, you will visit the following historical and cultural places: the Fort Jesus, the Mwembe Tayari open-air market, the local bazaars, handicraft carvers, walk through the famous curvy alley-roads and the business district.
Depart from your beach hotel in the morning and drive to Mombasa. Begin the tour with a visit to the Baobab forest along Mama Ngina Drive before proceeding to Fort Jesus Museum built by the Portuguese at the end of the 16th century. It dominates the entrance to Mombasa Harbor and commands good views over the Old Town. The Fort is now a national monument and houses an interesting museum.
Walk through Mombasa the second largest city in Kenya and which is located on an island. It is a steamy, tropical, low-rise city with asymmetrical streets, languid pace, and a diverse and intriguing population. It is mostly a Swahili town and women can be seen chattering by in dark bui-bui or wrapped in brilliant multicolored kanga.
Mombasa is also a port and a commercial center and has a long and complex history. Walk through the streets of Old Town up to the Old Port to see the Dhows.
Mombasa Old Town is one of the historical tourist attractions on Mombasa Island. It is located on the southeast side of Mombasa and occupies an area of 180 acres. The old town is a maze of narrow streets, mosques and crowded buildings, some with impressive carved doors or intricate balconies.
Later visit the Mackinon market, Elephant Tusks and Indian Temple before proceeding to Akamba Woodcraft at Changamwe where you can see the craftsmen at work and select your carvings at the lowest price you can ever get in the world.
Afterwards, board your transport to be dropped at your beach hotel or cottage.
Mamba Village Tour
Destination: Mamba Village Crocodile Farm
Departs: 0930hrs
Duration: Full Day
Mamba Village Crocodile Farm Day Tour Mombasa takes you to visit Mamba Village Mombasa - the Largest Crocodile Farm in Africa, with over 10,000 Crocodiles and is located 10 kilometers from Mombasa Island along the Nyali area at links Road opposite the Nyali Golf club and en-route to all nearby major hotels along the Kenyan North Coast. Mamba Village is right next to WILD WATERS - a Family Entertainment Park.
Mamba Village Crocodile Farm Mombasa Day Tour of the farm starts with a movie on the life cycle and behavior of crocodiles, followed by a comprehensive tour of the rest of farm, and ends with the highlight of the day: a spectacular scene of blood-thirsty crocodiles fighting for food during feeding time.
Excellent cuisine is available at the Mamba Restaurant, and the house specialty is superbly grilled crocodile meat. Souvenirs of your visit can be bought at the Mamba Souvenir shop located within the village.
Mamba Village Crocodile Farm in Mombasa has crocodiles from all categories/stages, from giant (Big Daddy - Man eater) crocodiles to baby crocodiles (just hatched) and the white crocodiles. The farm has a feeding time schedule every day at 5 pm and it is incredible to see this experience as the crocodiles jump up few metre from their pool to grab a bite of meat.
A tour to the farm would be wonderful and takes 2 and half to three hours visiting the Crocodile farm, camel riding within the same compound, Horse riding or the mamba restaurant which offer a wide range of crocodile meat and sea foods.
Also available is the Mamba Disco Open daily and most full on Fridays and Saturdays, as for tourist every day is an experience!
Night Dhow Cruise Tour
Destination: Old Town, Fort Jesus
Departs: 0930hrs
Duration: 6 hours
Mombasa By Night Dhow Cruise & Dinner Tour is a Night Trip by Dhow in Mombasa with dinner at Fort Jesus — Experience the magic of Mombasa by Night ... enjoy a sun-downer whilst sailing on a Arabian Dhow, walk through the streets of the Old town, see the sound and light show at the Fort Jesus and finally dine alfresco on the grounds.
Mombasa By Night Dhow Cruise and Dinner Tour starts at about 1700 Hours with a transfer to the old port and escorted onto to an authentic Arab Dhow (Husna, Takdir or Biladi). This is a fine example, of the traditional cargo carrying boats that used to ply the Indian Ocean trade routes.
As the sun sets, you set sail into the harbor and past Fort Jesus. The dark African night sky full of stars, the lapping of waves against the Dhow, truly a romantic setting if ever there was one.
Then as you glide past Fort Jesus you are treated to a sound and light show that is absolutely spectacular. After the show you will make your landing and venture into the Fort for supper. You will enjoy a delicious dinner that is served alfresco in the inner courtyard of Fort Jesus. When supper is done and you have had your fill, the night life begins!
Continue to a casino where you can gamble for a couple of hours, if you choose. The evening then concludes with a visit to the world famous Bora Bora Night Club.
At midnight, native dancers put on a spectacular floor show. The costumes of the female dancers alone are worth seeing even if they don't dance. After the show the music goes on until the early hours of the morning.
You can dance all night long if you want to. Otherwise the tour returns to original point of departure at approximately 0000 Hours (midnight).
Scuba Diving Tour
Destination: Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park
Departs: 0930hrs
Duration: Full Day
Scuba Diving Excursion at Kisite Marine Park Mombasa Day Tour takes place at Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park located on the south coast off Shimoni and south of Wasini Island in Kwale District on the South Kenyan coast near the Tanzanian border about 75 Miles South of Mombasa Town. Kisite Marine Park covers 11 square kilometers.
Scuba Diving at Kisite Marine Park Mombasa Full Day Tour begins with a short briefing before the safari to discussing all your needs. Pick up from your hotel at your convenient time (Recommended time is 0630 Hours). A countryside drive in a private, air-conditioned van, through beautiful coconut plantation to “Shimoni” jetty.
There, we meet our dhow crew and begin a leisurely Cruise on your own spacious wooden dhow. On deck you can relax on big comfortable pillows. Light breakfast on the boat, based on your favorite breakfast menu.
Two dives will be done in the morning, giving you a chance to enjoy a sumptuous late lunch. Dolphin spotting – you can stay and watch the dolphins for as long as you wish, and if you are lucky enough, they may join you for a swim in the Marine Park.
Introductory Dives (Fun Dive) - a short dive (around 30 minutes) are offered for those who have never tried diving before. You will have the chance to do a dive with an instructor to a maximum depth of 8 metres after receiving a detailed briefing. This will give you the opportunity to see just how easy, safe and enjoyable diving can be for everyone!
Scuba Diving (For Qualified Divers) is offered for all levels of divers. Beginners will enjoy the supervision of an experienced PADI dive instructor and will be astonished by the wealth and diversity of marine life.
Our water temperatures vary from 24-26 degrees Celsius July- Sept and 26-30 degrees Celsius October -April. What makes our area so interesting is the sheer variety of marine life, each diving site having its specialties.
There are deeper dives are for larger predatory fish and shallower ones for an abundance of hard and soft corals and large, diverse selection of fish species. Other dives are special for macro photography, well camouflaged creatures and the weird and wonderful!
Wine, beer, soft drinks – all included. You are welcome to stay and watch the African sunset. Return to your hotel.
Mombasa City Tour
Destination: Fort Jesus, Old Town
Departs: 0930hrs
Duration: Full Day
Mombasa Full Day City Tour is a comprehensive tour of the island and includes a visit to Fort Jesus, the Mwembe Tayari open-air market, the local bazaars, handicraft carvers, walk through the famous curvy alley-roads, the business district, Haller Park and lunch at Tamarind Restaurant.
You will visit the following historical and cultural places: the Fort Jesus, the Mwembe Tayari open-air market, the local bazaars, handicraft carvers, walk through the famous curvy alley-roads, the business district, Haller Park and lunch at Tamarind Restaurant.
Depart your beach hotel in the morning and drive to Mombasa. Mombasa Island Full Day City Tour includes a drive along Mombasa streets lined with intricately carved mosques and historical buildings. Visit the Akamba Handicraft Centre, a source of products direct from the craftsmen. Proceed to the huge and famous Tusks over Moi Avenue erected in 1952 in honour of Queen Elizabeth II first visit to Kenya.
Dominating the entrance of Mombasa Harbor, Fort Jesus offers a panoramic view of the Old Town. Other places to visit include a drive on Mama Ngina Drive to see the giant baobab trees that live for about 1000 years, and a short walk through the Old Town gives you a chance to a maze of twisting alleyways, ornately carved doors and overhanging balconies.
This ancient and impressive maze of architectural wonder will bring you to the Old Dhow Harbor, which is still occasionally used by Dhows from Arabia and India.
Lunch will be prepared by the Tamarind chefs and will be served whilst the dhow is at anchor in the tranquil waters of Tudor Creek. The Tamarind is well known for its excellent cuisine and particularly its seafood specialties. Vegetarian meals are also available upon request.
After lunch at the Tamarind, our Mombasa Island Full Day City Tour takes us to Haller Park past the Mamba Village crocodile farm along the way.
Enjoy the fascinating and world famous Haller Park. This is a former quarry that has now been transformed into a variety of recreational facilities including forests / nature trails and game sanctuaries, and crocodile and fish farms.
See abundant wildlife including hippo, antelope, birds, reptiles, snakes, giant tortoises, crocodiles and giraffe. In the late afternoon, board your transport to be dropped at your beach hotel or cottage.
Haller Park Tour
Destination: Bamburi Nature Trail
Departs: 0930hrs
Duration: Half Day
Haller Park Mombasa, formerly known as the Bamburi Nature trail, is the transformation of a quarry wasteland into an ecological paradise. It is located 12 Kilometers just past the Kenyatta Public beach (nearly opposite Nakumatt Supermarket) next to the Bamburi Cement factory North of Mombasa along the Mombasa Malindi road. Haller Park is the largest animal sanctuary in Mombasa and is only a 25 Minutes drive from Mombasa Town.
Bamburi Nature Trail (Haller Park) Half Day Tour departs in the morning from your hotel or after lunch to the Bamburi Quarry Nature Trail. You will enjoy Kenya’s nature during a walk through Haller Park (Bamburi Nature Trail). This Natural Sanctuary is home for wild animals, different species of birds and other tropical flora.
Eland and buffalo, crocodiles and other reptiles can be seen wandering with crowned cranes. Other attractions in the Park include porcupines, peacocks, a snake park, fish farm, crocodile farm, giraffes, zebras, famous giant tortoises, hippos and a restaurant that specializes in game meat. Pre arranged tree planting at the nature trail with certificates is also possible.
Get up close and personal with giant Aldabra Tortoises, Hippos, Crocodiles, Waterbuck, Elands and Buffalo. Their highly trained guides will escort you around the park, ensuring your visit is enjoyable and educational.
If you have read the story about Owen (the hippo) and Mzee (the tortoise), you can meet them there. Haller Park is open from 800 Hours to 1700 Hours every day, including public holidays.
Tamarind Dhow Cruise
Destination: Tudor Creek, Fort Jesus
Departs: 0930hrs
Duration: 3 hours
Tamarind Dhow is an authentic ocean going Jahazi (Traditional Arab Sailing Boats), formerly used for cargo trading along the Kenyan Coast and to the Arab States. Tamarind Dhow has been completely refurbished as floating Restaurant, without losing any of the Traditional aspects of the original Dhow. Tamarind Dhow is now moored at the Mombasa Tamarind jetty.
Tamarind Dhow Mombasa Cruise: Tamarind Dhow Mombasa Lunch-time Cruise departs from the Tamarind jetty at.1.00 pm, cruises gently up the Tudor creek, to a quiet spot where the Dhow moors.
Lunch consists of a delicious Tamarind seafood platter with a selection of Kenya's wonderful seafood or a prime Kenyan fillet steak followed by fresh tropical fruit - salad, and rounded off with Kenyan coffee and halwa. The Dhow returns to the jetty at 3.00 pm.
A Special Welcome drink as the Dhow starts to sail is called "Dawa" is served. In Swahili it means "medicine" and the Recipe is Vodka, Honey, Limes, Sugar & Ice.
Tamarind Dhow Mombasa Dinner Cruise: Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise commencing at 6.30 pm, begins with a welcome "Dawa" cocktail as the Dhow sails smoothly towards Fort Jesus.
The twinkling lights of Mombasa and the starlit skies provide idyllic surroundings for a delicious seafood dinner meticulously prepared in Swahili style on the deck in front of the guests. The resident band on board offers a wide choice of dance music, from the latest hits to the golden oldies as the Dhow gently glides back to the Tamarind Jetty by 10.30 pm.
There is no better way to see the waters of Mombasa than from the deck of a traditional Arabian Dhow. Sit back and relax with drink in hand as the vessel glides across the clear waters and later marvel at the beautiful sunset over the Indian Ocean.
Snorkeling Tour
Destination: Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park
Departs: 0930hrs
Duration: Full Day
Kisite Marine Park Snorkeling Full Day Tour take place at the Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park and Reserve found off the Kenyan Coast some 50 kilometers south of Diani, 75 miles south of Mombasa Island. The Park sits South of Wasini Island off Shimoni, on the South Coast near the Tanzania border.
Snorkeling in Kisite Marine Park Full Day Tour Mombasa departures at 0630 Hours. Enjoy the Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park above and under water. This is One of the Best Diving Sites in East Africa and a very safe place, free of sharks.
Snorkeling at Kisite Marine Park Day Tour takes place at Kisite Marine Park situated towards the southern end of Kenya’s coastal strip which is home to dolphins, turtles, over 350 species of vibrantly colored tropical fish and an exciting variety of coral life.
Many Dolphins can be spotted in Kisite Marine Park during your day tour. There are however other interesting creatures too. Lately, divers and snorkelers have been observing many whale sharks between 6 to 8 meters in length. Humpback Whales are also spotted between July and September, which is an unforgettable experience!
Snorkeling at Kisite Marine Park Day Tour Itinerary
Your day will begin with a pick up from your hotel to Shimoni in South Coast. Tea, coffee and biscuits are offered on the dhow whilst you are being fully briefed.
Refreshments will be provided including fresh fruit and our famous home baked pizza bread. After Snorkeling we head back to the private garden of Selina and Harm on Wasini Island for a late lunch.
This will truly be a meal to remember served by smiling Swahili ladies, with white wine and beer. After lunch you have time to relax over tea, coffee and patisserie in our 'Day Dreamer's Lounge'. Far from the maddening crowd!
You do can do some bird watching or look up anything you have seen in our comprehensive marine library then finally return to Shimoni by sail (weather permitting) where you will have time to visit the cave.
