Travel to Mombasa and the coastline

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Mombasa and the coastline, Kenya

The Kenyan coastline has nearly 250 miles of beaches, nature, and places to discover. The second largest city in Kenya, on the coast, is called Mombasa. Located on an island of 5 sq mi, it is home to approximately one and a half million inhabitants. Its city centre is bustling with traffic, unlike the old city, which is discreet and peaceful. The city of Mombasa is linked to the northern shore by a bridge overlooking the Indian Ocean, while in the south you have to take a ferry, which runs several times a day. You must be patient though, as the queue for boarding is sometimes long.

In Kenya, you drive on the left and if you rent a car, ask for a driver because the roads in Kenya are often quite chaotic! They are much more used to it than we are.

The main road in this part of the country, both in the north and the south, is punctuated by several small villages with thatched roof houses surrounded by very dense vegetation: coconut trees, mango trees, cashews, etc. Do not be surprised if you are stopped at numerous checkpoints, this road is strictly monitored by the police, all the way to Tanzania. There are a little less than 500 hotels of all categories on the coast and it is imperative that you research them before leaving as some are not very suitable! However, the vast majority of hotels have been built along the beach which is pleasant and there is still a real effort from some of them to become luxury hotels. Bear in mind that all the beaches in Kenya are public, therefore, you will not be able to avoid the merchants who come to sell their wares to the tourists. Fortunately, most of the hotels try to limit the inconvenience by installing guards on either side of their enclosure.

The Kenyan shore is far more pleasant in the south than in the north, as in the north the coral reef is very close and a lot of seaweed accumulates on the beaches. It is also preferable to wear sandals when you go swimming to avoid hurting your feet on the dead coral. The Kenyan coast is the ideal destination for relaxing after a safari; it is a place where you eat well and the water temperature will even suit those who are sensitive to the cold!

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pros

•  A very friendly population.
•  Many possible activities.
•  A wide choice of hotels.

cons

•  Roads look more like tracks.
•  Crowds of "beach boys" on the beaches.
•  The coral reef is very close to the coast, which is dotted with many corals that have died. Many algae on the beaches (especially on the beaches in the North).

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Visit Mombasa and the coastline

• To see

  A walk around the old city of Mombasa does not take long since it consists of only two streets! Sadly, the city is not very well maintained and it is beginning to show the traces of time, however, you can still admire the beautiful balconies which date back to the colonial era and the Basheikh Mosque, the oldest mosque in Mombasa (a great white monument decorated with a Swahili style minaret). The city's main place of interest though remains Fort Jesus, built by the Portuguese in the seventeenth century to protect the harbour entrance to the city. Many stories of famine, treason and even murder have marked the city.

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  To do

  Water sports enthusiasts will not be disappointed; there is the opportunity to practise glass-bottom boat rides, diving, game fishing, and sailing. There is also a village, not far from the airport, where all the items which you find on the market are manufactured. It is interesting to see how and under what conditions these artisans work.

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  To think about

  Even if you are accustomed to the sun, it is important to bring some sun protection lotion with you. Like many hot-spot destinations, you don't feel the heat too strongly during the day but you bitterly regret it once the evening falls!Think about taking an anti-malaria treatment, as malaria is still raging in this region and make sure that you also have a repellent with you to ward off bites.

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• To avoid

  It is strongly inadvisable for foreigners to walk alone after dark and you should never go with anyone who offers you a ride beyond the beach. Unfortunately, the arrival of tourists has led to an upsurge in crime and even if the crime rate remains reasonable, it is best to avoid walking around with valuable items on you. Use the safe which is installed in most of the hotel rooms, as even the objects without much value tend to disappear. As for the beaches in Kenya, they are public and you must bear in mind that the monokini is prohibited!During your stay in Kenya you will probably notice that in most of the hotels there are signs warning you not to feed the monkeys. At first sight, they may appear endearing and harmless but they can be quite temperamental and may bite you very easily. Injections against rabies are not much fun!Finally, as is the case in many countries, Kenya suffers from sex tourism. Prostitution, especially among the youth, is very active on the coastline. It is penalised by the authorities, do not indulge in it.

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  To try

  The legacy of numerous colonisations is widely felt in the local cuisine. Kenyans use many different spices and you will find a great variety of seafood dishes and dishes in sauce, such as the kuku wakupaka, chicken cooked with coconut milk. Kenyans often accompany their dishes with the ugali, a kind of porridge made of crushed corn. Unfortunately, this dish does not really taste very nice. You can also enjoy very good Indian cuisine here; gourmands will be delighted to taste the mandaazis (fritters) or the sambusas. The price of food is usually very low and it is rare to leave the table hungry!

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  To bring back

  The Kenyan handcraft is varied. There are an incredible number of wood carved figurines representing animals of the savannah as well as some very beautiful Masai masks. For painting enthusiasts, Kenyan canvasses are very colourful and they mostly evoke Masai villages but also scenes of hunting. There is no point in rushing into the first market that you see, all the shops sell the same things, with few exceptions. You can find handcraft in the 22 shops at the airport in Mombasa, but at a slightly higher rate. Do not hesitate to bargain, Kenyans love it!

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Hotels reviews by the Easyexperts

NEW: Jambo! Blissful beach hotels in Mombasa

Think Kenya and think of the amazing array of wildlife and the endless, dramatic landscapes. However, this East African country also boasts its fair share of beautiful beaches, particularly on the Mombasa coastline; from Kilifi and Galu, to Tiwi and the star attraction Diani. Whether you're looking for ...

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Mombasa and the coastline in pictures

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Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort and Spa

 

Score 7/10

Bebot Pinay 02/08/2011 : "Decent beach resort with good buffet, pools and activities for the kids and large beachfront. Rooms OK nothing out of this world. "

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Serena Beach Hotel and Spa

 

Score 8/10

Shell Bell 21/10/2010 : "Gorgeous hotel in the local architectural style. Top notch service too! "

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Hotel reviews Kenya

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