Mombasa, Kenya's Tropical Harbour

Kenya is well-known as a safari land, where one can see the mighty Big Five in parks like Amboseli and Maasai Mara. But Kenya's coasts, north and south of the city of Mombasa, are also very beautiful. In this story, you can read a bit about Kenya's most important port city and the beautiful region around it.

A man relaxes in a hammock - Mombasa can be seen in the background

Tuktuks have found their way across the Indian Ocean, into Mombasa

From Kenya's capital Nairobi, you can fly to Mombasa on one of the many daily flights. Alternatively, you can take the new highspeed train to the coast, which will take up to 4 hours one-way.

Mombasa is Kenya’s most important harbour, and it has been for quite some time. It’s also the reason why the Portuguese built this massive ‘Fort Jesus’ here, to consolidate their power on the region in the 16th century.

The fort boasts some intriguing architecture, especially because the Sultan of Mombasa and the Omani Arabs have also captured the fort, before it would eventually become a prison when the Brits colonised Kenya.

Fort Jesus, the oldest structure in Mombasa

Just outside the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fort Jesus, you can escape the hustle of Mombasa's Old Town streets if you walk into the Mombasa Butterfly House. This centre allows you to watch butterflies from close in a natural environment. Buying a ticket also means that you're supporting local livelihoods, as the many butterflies are sold by communities breed them as an alternative to forest use.

A butterfly rests on a leaf in Mombasa's Butterfly House

A father and daughter walks towards the Likoni Ferry

On the picture above, a father and a daughter walk hand in hand towards the Likoni ferry in Mombasa. Although Kenya’s population is generally Christian, you’ll find the largest number of Kenyan Muslims in the coastal and North-Eastern regions of the country. It’s still a remnant of the Arab culture that the Omani’s and other Arab traders brought to the Swahili coast.

The Likoni Ferry connects Mombasa with most Southern places like Diani Beach

Since 1937, Mombasa’s Likoni Ferry is the preferred connection between between the Kenyan mainland and the town of Likoni (and Diani Beach further down). The boats cross the Kilindini Harbour, and traveling on the free pedestrian service boat is always interesting.

After having explored Mombasa (one day should be enough), make sure to travel south to Diani Beach, where luxurious villas and splendid restaurants will provide a perfect stay at the coast.

The tropical beaches of Diani are just a short matatu trip from Mombasa Town

Hoi! My name is Joost Bastmeijer, and I’m a Dutch freelance travel writer and photojournalist currently traveling through Africa. Check out my photos on Instagram at instagram.com/joostbastmeijer, or visit my website to see some more of my work: joostbastmeijer.com!