An African Adventure
in Mombasa
by Preethi Lalwani
When dreaming of potential scenarios for a perfect getaway, some
typical defendants usually come to mind; luxury islands with ivory colored
beaches, quaint towns that ooze character or urban jungles with the right mix
of ‘It’ shopping and eateries. A place like Mombasa would probably not feature
in that palette of ideas. However, opening up your mind to the prospect of
visiting Mombasa will certainly change that perception.
Mombasa, Kenya’s second-largest city is a land of poetic
history. Also going by the Swahili name – ‘Kisiwa cha mvita’ which translates
as The Island of War, it is a fascinating conjugation of African, Arabic and
Indian culture. Being the largest port of trade in Eastern Africa, it attracts
a fair amount of vocational visitors every year. Be it for business or
pleasure, a trip to Mombasa and its array of visit-worthy attractions will have
you returning with fascinating memories.
Mombasa Town
Mombasa has a cultural personality as diverse as its famous exotic
spices. A walk down the modest streets of Mombasa will put you face to face
with religious architecture, colonial Omani styled buildings and a sea of
people clad in the traditional ‘bui-bui’, ‘khanga’ and ‘kikoy’ outfits. A
visitor’s first sighting at the inception of Mombasa’s old town would be the
Fort Jesus Museum. This UNESCO world heritage site is a good starting point for
those who want to gather a little knowledge about the city’s tumultuous past
and historic war scars. After musing over
the fort, wandering into the old town will lead you into alleys of old facades,
spice markets, and antique furniture. The local vendors with their ‘Mkokteni
carts’ may even tempt you into a little knickknack shopping, or to stop by and
sip tea or home-grown ‘mafadu’ (coconut water).
The North Coast
Mombasa is divided into two coasts, both of which are
seafaring delights for those intending to rejuvenate by the beach. More central
to the main city is the north side, which comprises of the beaches Nyali,
Bamburi, Shanzu and Kikambala. Apart from the usual water sporting activities
that one can indulge in at any of these beaches, the Bamburi beach is home to
the Mombasa Marine National Park, an impressive marine life reserve. Also in
the vicinity is the Haller Park, Mombasa’s unique and unsurpassed wildlife
sanctuary. Visit the Haller Park to experience serene nature walks, mini-safaris,
and animal feeding opportunities within the city. Close to Shanzu beach is The
Ngomongo Village, a place where visitors get a magnified insight on nine Kenyan
tribal groups. Exploring this rustic locale would give tourists a chance to
visit tribal huts, sample local food and brews, and interact with the native
people (maybe even a tribal which doctor!). Those zealous enough can even
indulge in a little tribal dancing, archery, fishing and other customary
village routines.
The South Coast
For more upscale and secluded beach dwelling, the south side
of Mombasa is idealized as a haven of Africa’s most sumptuous sand. As the only
way to access the south side is by air or ferry, the exclusivity factor of this
coast is higher and the beaches are home to some high-end resorts. Shimba Hills
National Reserve, Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary and Kiseti Marine National Park
are the south coast’s answer to travelers interested in exploring marine or
wildlife ecological reserves.
Safaris in Mombasa
Tsavo National Park is one of the oldest and largest animal
reserves in Kenya. Closest in proximity from Mombasa, it is a must visit for
travelers who want the comprehensive wildlife safari experience. The park is
split into Tsavo East and Tsavo West, and both are equally good hosts to
quality game encounters. Tsavo East is especially popular for its size, drier planes
and mammal sightings. The famous maneless Tsavo tigers and red elephants are
found in this region. Some other highlights of this incredible animal oasis are
the Yatta Plateau (world’s longest lava flow), Mudando Rock (heightened rock
that doubles as a water enclosure; attracts animals to gather especially in the
dry season) and Luguard Waterfalls. There is no dearth of accommodation within
the park, and most of them are close enough to watering holes that are
frequented by birds and animals alike.
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