If you’re planning a trip to Mombasa, Kenya in the near future, you’re probably trying to decide what to bring. You’ll certainly need a couple of swimsuits as well as comfortable walking shoes. There are plenty of things to see and do throughout this great city, including spending time along the white sandy beaches, that when you return home pictures may not be enough to bring back those wonderful memories.

Pick up a small journal you can keep with you while traveling throughout the city. You could visit Fort Jesus, go to one of the incredible safaris, visit some wildlife sanctuaries, and even see a great deal of history through Old Town, Mombasa.

Why a journal is a great idea.

When you keep notes about the various things and experiences you have while taking a trip, you can look back at it years later and remember all of the minor details you could have forgotten along the way.

Today, modern digital cameras make it easy to capture a great deal of one’s experiences, however you also run the risk of missing out on many other things along the way. When you view Mombasa through a 2-inch screen on your digital camera, you’re not getting the full experience.

Grabbing a journal, sitting down and writing a few sentences in it every so often, taking the time to contemplate what you have seen, what’s most important to you, and even something unique will capture events and occurrences that you can’t capture in a picture.

It might not seem like a great idea at the time; it could actually feel as though it’s a waste of time. However, years later when you begin looking through your old photo albums or share your experiences with friends and loved ones, having that journal will become incredibly powerful as a way to conjure up memories you might have otherwise forgotten.

When you’re planning a family vacation or just an opportunity for yourself to get away for a while, Mombasa is a great destination. Mombasa, Kenya is located on the Indian Ocean and offers trouists an incredible view of turquoise water, white sandy beaches, and a great deal of history, all within a short commute from the hotel wherever you’re staying.

Getting to Mombasa is quite simple. Most people fly in from all over the world. Kenya Airways provides the most options with regard to getting into and out of Mombasa. Most flights originating from other portions of the world do not have direct access to Mombasa airport.

You’ll have to fly into one of the neighboring countries and then catch a flight directly to Mombasa.

You can also consider flying into Nairobi and boarding the train that will take you into Mombasa. There is a significant advantage to traveling this way: you would get to see the great deal of wildlife up close as a train rolls through the countryside. The trip takes approximately 13 hours and there are meal accommodations and first or second class seating assignments.

You may also consider a bus from one of Kenya’s other cities, but these are not considered a major mode of transportation. Buses don’t often travel throughout Mombasa, but they can take you to and from regions outside and around the city. It is more popular among the residents than tourists.

If you are planning on staying in one of Mombasa’s comfortable hotels, you’ll most likely enjoy getting here faster, and therefore flying into Mombasa airport is the best option. From there, try to avoid renting a car as navigating the streets in the city can be challenging, at best. Relying on the local taxi services is a great way to not only get around but to discover all that the city has to offer.

Fort Jesus in Mombasa, Kenya

Now that you’re planning your trip to Mombasa, this really could be the trip of a lifetime. In order to make the most out of this vacation or business trip, it’s good to know the history of your destination.

Mombasa was initially designed as an important port of entry that led to the Indian Ocean. Trade routes with China, Persia, and India had been established by the 15^th century. It is actually the largest port on the eastern coast of Africa.

Many foreign invaders have taken over this important port city, including the Portuguese and British forces. The British actually ruled Mombasa beginning in the late 19^th century. The British leased a part of the coast to the king of Zanzibar until Mombasa was eventually ceded to Kenya in 1963.

One of the most significant cultural and historical attractions throughout Mombasa is a Fort Jesus. This was built as a way to protect the harbor in 1593. The Portuguese built it to defend against local enemies and other incoming warships. You can visit this fort and a variety of small museums that highlight how life had been during that period of time. If you visit Fort Jesus, make sure to spend some time in the Omani House where you can see Swahili life and incredible views of Old Town.

One interesting fact about Mombasa is that even though this city was settled centuries ago, most of the houses throughout Old Town and the rest of the city are no older than 100 years. Many of the architectural roots of these buildings are based in Swahili architecture.

The crossed ivory elephant tusks are a famous landmark in Mombasa and they were erected in 1953 to commemorate Elizabeth II’s coronation.

When you visit Mombasa, you will dive into an incredible wealth of history and culture. Just about everywhere you turn will be another experience to behold and share with your friends and family when you return home.

Mombasa – White Sandy Beaches

Heading to Mombasa, Kenya for a business trip or on a vacation of a lifetime is going to expose you to an incredible number of attractions. The most popular place where people go when they visit Mombasa is one of the numerous beaches here. These beaches offer white sandy shores and incredible turquoise water of the Indian Ocean.

When you spend any amount of time at the beach, you will see some amazing things. Snorkeling or scuba diving will only add to your enjoyment on this trip.

You may also want to consider some of the other incredible attractions that exist throughout this canyon city. Fort Jesus is considered one of the most popular destinations for tourists. This was built in 1593 by the Portuguese as a way to protect this important port city from invading nations and tribes. There were many battles and lives lost during numerous sieges that took place to the years. In one, a three-year siege saw 2,500 men barricade themselves inside to protect the city.

Mombasa’s Old Town will take you back in time through narrow streets and alleyways. You will see incredibly carved doors and old mosques and churches that date back into the 16^th century.

You could decide to take a trip to the Gedi Ruins, which was a small Swahili town that was suddenly abandoned in the 1500s. Historians are unsure why the residents suddenly fled from this location.

You may want to visit Haller Park, which was a former cement quarry that now hosts a variety of birds, reptiles, insects, and animals. There are miles of walking and bicycling trails and you can see crocodiles, butterflies, and a wide range of timber, fruit, and organic vegetables.

If you want a more serene destination, Arabuko Sokoke Forest is what remains of what had been a vast rain forest. It is now protected land and home to six threatened bird species.

If you haven’t yet booked your trip to Mombasa, contact Find Mombasa Hotels to get the most ideal accommodations.

Not everything is going to go exactly as you plan, even when you’re taking a vacation of a lifetime. If you’ve booked your Mombasa holiday and are suddenly having trouble confirming your hotel reservation, or you’ve had problems in the past with other vacation destinations, there are a few strategies to try before you set off to your flight and just hope that your room is ready.

1. Call and Confirm with the Hotel Directly. Many people use travel agencies and services still, but many more are relying on their own fingers and the Internet to make reservations. That should ensure accuracy, right? You got a confirmation number and printed it out, so your room is locked in, correct?

Not always. Before you head to the airport, at least a week before your scheduled trip, call the hotel directly and speak to a manager. Get them to visibly confirm your reservation. You should also make sure you know about their check-in times and cancellation notices.

2. Contact Your Agent. If you used a travel agency and can’t seem to get confirmation from the hotel after you call them directly, get a hold of your agent. He or she may seem too busy to get back to you as they are making plans for other people, but be persistent.

Have them call up the hotel and make sure your reservation is locked in. If you wait until the last minute you could end up with fewer options. Mistakes happen, as do overbookings, so the last thing you’ll want to deal with when you get to Mombasa is having to fight for a room.

3. Find Alternatives. If you still aren’t certain that a room will be available for you and your family, contact other hotels in the area. Find one or more that have vacancies and if they allow you to make a reservation without charging your credit card, and have a liberal cancellation policy, it might make sense to have one backup. Just in case.

Depending on the agency or site you choose, you could end up with a faulty reservation, but that won’t happen when you choose Find Mombasa Hotels.

If you’re planning a trip to the tropical paradise of Mombasa, you’re going to be exposed to some of the most amazing, crystal clear waters anywhere in the world. That means if you’re like most people who come here either for vacation or business, you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the water.

There are plenty of things you can do at the beaches here in Mombasa. In order to make your vacation the best it can possibly be, consider the following three ways you can make your water adventures the experiences of a lifetime.

1. Learn to Scuba dive before getting to Mombasa. It doesn’t matter where you live in the world, there’s likely a scuba school somewhere near you. That’s because millions of people from all over the world take to scuba diving and head to the warm waters where they want to explore.

You can’t scuba dive unless you have a certification and that takes time. You could certainly earn one while you’re here, but there’s no need to spend that time when you can do it near your home.

2. Get a waterproof guide to water life. You can snorkel or scuba dive, but when you see coral, fish, and other amazing sea life and don’t know what it is, you will be missing out. Instead, be sure to pick up a quality waterproof guide you can swim with. The best kind are those that strap to your wrist and are easier to leaf through so you can quickly and easily identify the water creatures you come across.

3. Have a waterproof camera. Most cameras today are digital and one that can be taken underwater will cost a fair amount. Yet there are still disposable cameras that you can purchase relatively inexpensively along with a waterproof case, which will allow you to snap some incredible underwater pictures.

The waters in Mombasa are incredible and when you take this advice, you’ll be telling stories to your friends and family back home for many years to come.