Mombasa is Kenya's second largest city and also East Africa's oldest settlement. Roman and Egyptian adventure literature seems to suggest that the city is over 2500 years old. The Portuguese, Omani Arabs and British each had their share of occupation in Mombasa with the Portuguese being the first.
Vasco Da Gama, was the first notable Portuguese explorer to land on Mombasa's shores. He had a two tier objective which was to spread the christian faith and to open up trading doors for the Portuguese.They mainly traded in goods such as spices, cotton, coffee and slaves. Fort Jesus, a main tourist attraction in Mombasa was built as a result of their trading efforts. This Fort was used for protection against hostile locals, as a prison for slaves and goods storage. The Portuguese dominated trade in Mombasa for about two hundred years. The powerful Omani Arabs brought an end to their dominance.
Lack of unity amongst the Omani Arabs resulted in their short lived dominance on the Kenyan coast. Primarily, the Mazrui Family and the Busaidi Family, the later having been in power then, began to attack each other and involved the British.
The relationship between the Omani and the British crumbled following their differing stands on slave trade. Slave trade wa a booming business at the time for the Omani's and the British were totally against it.
PLACE TO VISIT
Haller Park is nature park in Bamburi, Mombasa on the Kenya Coast. It is the transformation of a quarry wasteland into an ecological paradise. Haller Park holds a variety of plant and animal species which serve as a recreation hot spot to tourists and locals. It is evidence that economy and ecology should be in balance. It holds the famous attraction of Owen and Mzee- The friendship of a hippopotamus and tortoise.
Municipal Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Mombasa, Kenya. It used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Coast Stars. The stadium holds 10,000 people.
Fort Jesus is a Portuguese fort built in 1593 by order of King Philip II of Spain ( King Philip I of Portugal ), then ruler of the joint Portuguese and Spanish Kingdoms, located on Mombasa Island to guard the Old Port of Mombasa, Kenya. It was built in the shape of a man (viewed from the air), and was given the name of Jesus, after Shaikh Isa Bin Tarif Al Bin Ali Al Utbi conquered the fort in 1837 after being asked for assistance by Sayyid Said Bin Sultan , Sultan of Oman . The name Jesus in Arabic means Isa, therefore it means the Fort of Isa ( Isa Bin Tarif ). Isa Bin Tarif , Chief of the Al Bin Ali Al Utbi Tribe , is a desendant of the original uttoobee conquerors of Bahrain. The Al Bin Ali were a politically important group that moved backwards and forwards between Qatar and Bahrain, they were the original dominant group of Zubara area , they were also known for their courage, persistence, and abundant wealth.
Jumba la Mtwana is a former slave port on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya, lying on the Mtwapa Creek, north of Mombasa. Mostly dating from the fifteenth century, its features include the Mosque by the Sea.
Kilindini Harbour is a large, natural deep-water inlet extending inland from Mombasa, Kenya. It serves as the harbour for Mombasa, with a hinterland extending to Uganda and Sudan. Kilindini Harbour is the main part of the Port of Mombasa, the only international seaport in Kenya. It is managed by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA). Apart from cargo handling, Mombasa is frequented by Cruise ships.
"Kilindini" is an old Swahili term that means "deep". The port is so called because the channel is naturally very deep. Kilindini Harbor is an example of a natural geographic phenomenon called a ria, formed millions of years ago when the sea level rose and engulfed a river that was flowing from the mainland.
Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve is a marine park and national reserve in Mombasa, Kenya. The park is 10 km² (2,500 acres) while the reserve is 200 km² (49,400 acres).
It is located on the coast near tourist areas and is a popular beach and snorkeling and diving location. It is the most heavily visited of Kenya's marine parks. It has coral reefs in its waters.
WHAT TO DO
Old town. Very nice atmosphere
Diani Beach is the place to head to. A fantastic long white beach with loads of watersports and primates to see. A night at '40 thieves' beach bar is a great place to hang out with a few tuskers (beers). If you want to see one of the six primates species in South Coast Kenya visit the colobus trust for an informative walk to spot one of the many wild primates.
Colobus Trust nature walks and conservation volunteering,
Tiwi Beach is the best place to visit. Quiet beach not spoiled by mass tourism.
Take the Likona ferry to the south by taxi (ca $30,00) from Mombaca city center.
Njali Theatre featuring hollywood and bollywood new releases (300-400 KSH), with bowling alley, casino, and Italian Restaurant. Have some bhel puri while you're there. Taxi from centre 400KSH, Tuk Tuk- 150KSH.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Several flights a day to Nairobi plus a lot of charter flights from Europe, mainly Italy and the UK.
You could also take a local flight to Mombasa from other parts of Kenya. Fly 540 and Kenya Airways are very reliable.
By train - Three times a week night train to Nairobi. From Nairobi to Mombasa on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, leaving at 7pm. First Class sleeper car $45 includes dinner and breakfast. Mind your valuables at night, especially when the train stops in the bush... you may want to keep windows closed to avoid theft.
By car - From Nairobi to Mombasa takes about 7 hours. Road is good, no problem to drive an ordinary 2 wheel drive car, but there are a few sections outside the cities that are very poor; driving 10 km can take 50 minutes.
By bus - From Nairobi to Mombasa, it cost about Kshs. 1000.
