Kenya’s Desert, Wildlife, and Beaches in 15 Days – Day 11
What do you think of when you hear of Kenya? Is it only Masai Mara? Well, undoubtedly, Masai Mara takes away all the attention. It is the reason most people come to visit Kenya. We have also visited the famous Masai Mara and witnessed the Great Wildebeest Migration and encountered most of the Big Fives. But to your surprise, Kenya is not only restricted to wildlife safaris. Kenya has exceptional beaches to offer on its eastern coast. We spent a night in Mombasa before heading to Diani beach at the end of our Kenya journey. Mombasa – a beautiful beach city with different historical perspectives – is the Swahili Cultural Capital of the world, and is totally worth a visit when in Kenya.
Highlights of the Day
- Check-out from Masai Mara
- Flying to Mombasa
- Walking Tour of Mombasa
- Check-in at Pride Inn, Mombasa
Departing from Masai Mara National Reserve
We spent the best times of Kenya Safari in the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve. We stayed in Olarro Private Campsite located by the Mara river inside Mara Triangle for 2 nights. Also, we experienced the best of game-drives, including the spectacular Great Wildebeest Migration. But finally the day had come when we had to depart. We explored most of Kenya by a customized 4 x 4 pop up top jeep with John, our driver and Jumah, our cook. Today was the last day of the jeep safari as John would drop us at Nairobi airport so we could board the flight to Mombasa in the afternoon. We departed from our campsite at around 6 AM.
It was a 7-h drive. In Nairobi, we fueled the vehicle full-tank before getting to the airport. We reached Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at around 1 PM. Richie and I had flight at 2.05 PM with Jambojet to Mombasa. We hoped to stay in touch with John and Jumah, and said bye to them. Aakriti headed back to Nairobi to join a different safari to Eastern Kenya.
Total distance covered: 300 km
Must- Visit Places in Mombasa by Foot
Richie and I arrived at Moi International Airport, Mombasa at around 3.10 AM. We did not have much time in hand to explore the city. Hence, we booked an Uber from the airport and rushed to the hotel – Pride Inn, Mombasa. We reached the town in 30 min. As we reached the hotel, we told the hotel receptionist that we would check in later. Hence, we left our luggage at the reception, and without any time wasted, we started exploring the town by foot. We visited all the must-see places of Mombasa that are located nearby.
Mombasa Tusks
We were walking along the Moi Avenue and within 500 m from the hotel, we noticed the two giant elephant tusks. Mombasa tusks, locally known as Pembe zu Ndovu, are a symbolic representation of the heart of Mombasa city. These tusks were built in 1956 to commemorate Princess Margaret’s visit to Mombasa.
Fort Jesus
Next, we headed around 1.5 km to the east and reached Fort Jesus – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was constructed by the Portuguese in 1593-1596 and designed by Italian architect Cairati. It is one of the world’s finest examples of 16th-century Portuguese military architecture. We bought the entrance ticket for around 12$ per person and explored the museum for around 2 h. There were old cannons, many fascinating battlements, ruined buildings, wide collection of ceramics and pottery, and other interesting relics and information, including displays on Swahili life. There was a vast collection of ceramics and pottery, which reflected the various cultures that traded along the coast in the past. If Indian Ocean history does not interest you mcuh, then you can skip visiting the museum.
Old Town
Shortly, we walked a km to the north to get into the Old Town. We walked through the narrow, winding alleys that lead to historical Swahili houses dating back to Portuguese and Oman Arab settlement during the 19th Century. Old Town is a great place to shop for antiques, spices, fragrant oils, and souvenirs. Being history buffs, we spent 2 h walking in the Old Town. We explored the rich historical part of the city before heading to the hotel.
Other Things to Do in Mombasa
If you have more time, you could visit few more places:
- Haller Park: It was earlier known as Bamburi Nature Trail, and is located 12 km north of the center. If you are an animal lover and/or a bird enthusiast, you would surely love the place. The park was a project of Dr. Rene Haller, who transformed the abandoned limestone quarries into a thriving nature reserve. You can explore giraffes, Cape buffaloes, zebras, waterbucks, hippos, and various bird species. The park got famous for its inter-species couple when Mzee, the 130-year-old tortoise, adopted Owen, the orphaned hippo – this was a sensation over the Internet.
- Mombasa Marine National Park: It is not only about swimming and kayaking, but also scuba diving and snorkeling. Yes, the park provides adventurous maritime experiences. You will be fascinated to see mangroves, sea grass beds, coral reef, stingrays, seahorses, and eels that are a part of its habitat.
- Beaches of Mombasa: Most of the people know Mombasa because of its beaches, more than its historical side. Nyali beach, Bamburi beach, and Shanzu beach are the most popular ones in the north coast. Shelly beach, Tiwi beach, and Diani beach are the ones worth visiting in the south coast. We were heading to Diani beach the next day for 2 days.
Check-in at Pride Inn Hotel
The Old Town was not more than 20 min away from our hotel. We came back to the hotel at around 9 PM and then checked in. We were actually very tired and were just looking forward to a clean room with a comfortable bed and a clean bathroom. Sleeping on a real bed after multiple nights of camping was a different pleasure. We loved the bed; we slept off like babies. Overall, we loved our overnight stay in the Pride Inn.
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN USD)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Day 11 in Kenya – Mombasa.
- Flight from Nairobi to Mombasa: 100
- Stay at Pride Inn Hotel (1 night) for twin sharing: 45
- Entrance fee of Fort Jesus Museum: 12
- Food: 20
- Petrol: 38
Total expense (roughly): 215 USD
For a more customized itinerary, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page.
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Wow!!! Well written travelogue on Kenya . Thanks for sharing
Glad you liked it.
Sounds like you had a fun (but long) first day in Mombasa, it’s no wonder you were tired at the end of it! I’ve never been to Kenya, but I’d love to visit someday for a safari and to visit the beautiful beaches. Mombasa will need to be a stop for me as well! The museum at Fort Jesus would definitely be a must-see, and Old Town also looks super interesting with the mix of architectural styles.
Glad you liked all these Clarie.
I can’t wait to get to Kenya. You’re right, my focus would be on Masai Mara, and I would love to see the wild beast migration like you did. But I would also like to visit Mombasa simply because I’ve heard about it so much. The old town looks like my kind of place to walk. Can’t believe you found stuffed vegetable paratha there, haha.
Kenyan food is influenced by Indian food, so getting stuffed paratha was not tough there.
Thank you for your articles on your journey to Kenya. Great information on Mombasa and what to see and do. I did not realise there was a Portuguese influence dating back to the 16th century.
It was a beautiful experience.
This is interesting. The Old Town looks exactly like one of the provinces here in the Philippines. I am glad to see that they have preserved the rich cultural history of the place. It would be a wonderful experience to visit.
Really? Are you talking of Vigan?
Looks like the perfect place for me! I love strolling through old towns and discovering the place’s history! Sometimes it’s a tuff call between the beach and the museum, but I always keep a moment for culture. And food.
Culture and food it is.
Love it, looks amazing! I would like to visit it one day, hope it will be soon!
I wish it will be soon too.
This is great. I want to travel to Kenya so bad as it looks like the perfect combination of wildlife, beach and points of interest. I love that you also added the expenses. Good call 😉
Yes indeed.
I went to Kenya and Mombasa 33 years ago! Yikes! Mombasa looks very different from when I went. Thanks for the recommendations. I love the idea of the marine national park. I love to snorkel.
You would totally love your time in Mombasa.
It’s always good to read about another place in Kenya. I’ve never been, yet, and would love to do a safari. Saying that, there’s clearly a lot more to see, and I love those M tusks in Mombasa. It looks like a fun city.
It is a fun city, indeed.
Mombassa looks like a very modern and beautiful city in Kenya. I love the fact that you got to do a game drive just before you left Masai. Your Africa travelogues already put Africa on my bucket-list.
Glad to know that Sinjana.
The bad of Pumbas passing by is so cool! Heh. I would love to be there with my camera. Everything happens so close to you.
Yes!
I don’t know where to begin! This looks like such an incredible experience. Your photos make it that much more real for the reader as well. Africa was already on my bucket list, but your experience has made me want to plan a trip to Kenya asap!
I am happy to have planted the seed of Africa in you, haha!
OMG!!! This is just incredible. I’ve always wanted to visit Africa but the time hasn’t come yet.
To be able to witness the wild beasts running across your path is just…. wow!!!
Stuffed paratha all the way in Kenya.??!!!
You will soon, Bhushavali, very soon. And yes, stuffed paratha there too!
Great photographs! I loved how you added the room video tour!
Thanks!
Mombasa looks like a great place to visit with friends. Being an adventurous person I would totally love to visit the Mombasa Marine National Park. While I don’t know swimming, i would love to kayak but and snorkel.
Yes, kayaking there would be a great idea.
The first photograph of the wildebeest migration is simply stunning. The Masai Mara takes most of the limelight in Kenya, but I would also like to keep Mombasa in the itinerary. I would love to know more about this old town and the Swahili culture. Bookmarking the post for reference.
Sure, do that! You must visit too.
All the food you highlighted looks delicious! That $10 buffet sounds like the best deal ever. And I’ve never tried parathas before, but those veggie parathas look delicious! Just out of curiosity, do they make meat parathas as well, or are they always vegetarian?
They do make meat parathas as well.
I must say this part of the world is on top of my list and you cant start without visiting Mombasa I have heard mixed reviews of the safety and other aspects but seems like you had a perfect enjoyable stay and a walk too. The tusks look really amazing and yes they do remind you of the letter M. The hotel looks basic yet clean and comfy and perfect for a lay over. The stuffed parathas look great and must have been tasty . Thanks for sharing this post
Mombasa was as safe as any place can be. There was no issue visiting such a beautiful place in Kenya.
What an adventure, Shreya! May I ask what currencies are accepted in Kenya? Where I am now, I can’t find anyone who will trade me from shillings but I heard dollars or euros are accepted? Is this true? Would love to hear from you – thank you so much for your advice!
Dollars are accepted.