Mombasa is a famous coastal town in Kenya established as early as 900 AD and has the Kenyan history as a commercial, cosmopolitan port town built on an island but later expanded to mainland making it the oldest and second largest city in Kenya after Nairobi Capital City, the population of Mombasa was 1.4 million people by the time 2016 population census was carried out. Mombasa as an island is connected to the mainland by bridges and ferries which give its inhabitants and visitors a link to the true heart of Mombasa in the old town through the narrow winding streets and Arab architecture.
Modern Mombasa is the headquarters of Mombasa County where historic events and progressions are greatly important with its busy port serving the landlocked country of Uganda. Mombasa was further divided into four main suburbs for administrative purposes and these suburbs include:
Mombasa Island
Also known as Kizingo is home to Mombasa Law Courts, the state house of Mombasa, Municipal Council, provincial headquarters, Aga Khan Academy and other main nursery, primary, secondary schools and several higher institutions of Learning.
North Coast
Connected by the newly constructed Nyali Bridge in the north to Kizingo, it is a prime and up-market residential area dominated by beautiful beaches, resorts, hotels, Nakumatt, Multiplex cinema and Nyali Cinemax Complex among others.
Apart from Kizingo, areas like Kongowea occupied by mainly low income earners, Bamburi which is home to Bamburi Portland Cement Factory and Haller National Park, Bombolulu, Shanzu, Kisauni, Mkomani and Mtwapa make up the North Coast.
South Coast
Likoni is one of the areas and hosts lower income and lower-middle-class people with its concentration of people dominated by non-Swahili Bantu tribes. Another area is Diani beach which has several beach resorts.
Mombasa Mainland
It contains areas like Magongo, Makindani, Miritini and Changamwe which are all industrialized by the Kipevu power generation projects, the Kenya Oil Refinery Company facility not forgetting Migadini and Chaani centers which are close to Kenya Port Authority and Port Reitz harboring Moi International Airport and Port Reitz Hospital.
Many tourist attractions exist in this coastal city making it one of the most visited destinations in Kenya and the world. Tourists across the world visit this place annually some preferring to rent car in Mombasa and go about their way while others prefer getting a driver or guide to take them around.
TOP ATTRACTIONS IN MOMBASA
- Fort Jesus
This fort in Old Town, Mombasa was designed by an Italian engineer called Giovanni Battista Cairati and construction was start and completed between 1593 and 1596 following strict orders of King Philip I of Portugal. The aim of this port was to guard the Old Port of Mombasa making it the only fort maintained by the Portuguese on the Swahili Coast.
The high gun turrets, battlements and underground passages of this 16th Century Fort were the centre of a historic struggle for control of the Kenya coast between the Portuguese army and the Shirazi Arabs.
- Old Town
This is an area of Mombasa located on the south-eastern part of Mombasa Island on an area of 72 hectares hosting a mix of local including the Arabs, Asians, Portuguese and British settlers. This old town has been in existence from the 15th century dominated by the Portuguese and Islamic architecture.
- Haller National Park
Visit Haller Park which used to be a limestone quarry but was later turned into great place for wildlife viewing by Dr. Haller who started by adding the mineral content of the soil, planted trees, added a fish farm, then later established a wildlife park with every animal having a function within the park’s ecosystem. Cape buffalo, waterbucks, giraffes, zebras, and hippos are some of the wildlife here and a famous interspecies couple that became an Internet sensation after the 130-year-old tortoise named Mzee adopted Owen, an orphaned hippo not forgetting an estimate of 160 bird species.
- Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve
The park was established in 1986 covering 100 square kilometers and the reserve eating up 200 square kilometers of land both defined by the warm azure ocean, swaying coconut palms on white sandy beaches protecting marine life and migratory birds and in this marine park there is Mtwapa and Tudor Creeks full of blue waters favoring snorkeling, water skiing, windsurfing and diving.
- White sand beaches
Visit Mombasa for a beach holiday on white sand beaches like Nyali, Bamburi,Shelly, Tiwi, Shanzu and Diani which all provide visitors refreshing water, relaxation and recreational facilities. These white sand beaches are located in Northern and Southern parts of Mombasa.
Planning to visit Mombasa this holiday for a leisure holiday, dont miss out on these exciting historic attractions and beautiful sand beaches. To inquire about renting a car for self drive or guided tour around Mombasa town, simply send us an email to info@nairobicarrentalservices.com or call us on +254-713510387 to speak with the reservations team.
