You’ve searched the world for your next vacation destination and decided that Mombasa is the ideal place to go. You’ve read about the incredible white sand beaches, the turquoise waters, and all of the culture that is just waiting for you and your family to enjoy.
You sit down with a travel agent or go online to find the best deals on hotels in Mombasa and other packages that can help make your trip one that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Then you click on ‘submit’ and you have your reservations for your hotels and flights.
You’re excited and you can’t wait for that date to arrive. You’re thinking about all of the things you need to do in order to get ready for the trip and one thing you may not be thinking about it travel insurance.
There are several types of travel insurance that you may want to consider. Trip cancellation is one of the first you should look into.
There could be any number of things that come up that could lead you to cancel your trip. Someone in your family may become ill, you may have to deal with a last minute emergency situation at work, or there may be a problem with safety. You don’t want to lose all that money you’ve already invested on the hotel and flight, so trip cancellation insurance is a good idea.
Trip interruption insurance is also something to think about. If you have to cut your trip short for any reason, then you’re going to be on the hook for the remainder of your hotel stay and you may have to pay more to switch your flights. This can end up costing a lot of money.
In most likelihood you won’t need to interrupt your trip, but it does happen and it’s a small investment in trip interruption insurance to make to help protect your financial investment in it.
Finally, you should consider some type of health insurance coverage that will protect you and your family while in Mombasa. Speak to your insurance broker about these options and you’ll be able to focus on that incredible vacation to Mombasa, and the luxurious hotels here, until that awesome date arrives.
Getting to Mombasa, Kenya has been made much easier in the past several years by more flights being added and allowed into Moi International Airport. This is the most convenient and safest way to travel to this tropical paradise.
Flights are commonly offered on Kenya Airways when flying from certain ports in the region or other cities in Kenya. You can also rely on certain carriers that specialize in this vacation destination.
Traveling by airplane means that you’re going to be here before you know it and that will save you a lot of time, meaning that you’ll be able to spend more time at the white sandy beaches here.
Train
Another common way that some people arrive at Mombasa is by rail. Kenya Railways provides train services to the city from all over the country. However, due to certain turmoil and threats of violence, people planning on traveling from various points of origin should consider other methods of getting here, such as the airlines.
Bus Service
Companies also offers the Bus Service and this is the cheapest mode of public transportation for getting to Mombasa. However, it can be relatively confusing for those who have never been to this city.
If you are planning your next vacation with your family, or just by yourself, or you’re planning on a business trip to the area, your best bet is to fly into Moi International Airport and take a taxi or shuttle service to your hotel or other accommodations.
Your travel agent will be able to assist you in determining the best, most affordable, and time saving method of reaching Mombasa.
When traveling to Mombasa, you’re going to be faced with a lot of decisions about which attractions you want to see and which ones would be on your ‘wish list’ (the attractions that you may be interested in but won’t lose too much sleep over if you simply run out of time.
When you’re here, there is going to be plenty to do, whether you’re traveling here for business or with family. Below are three ‘must see’ attractions within this incredible tropical destination.
Diani Beach
The most significant attraction that you should never miss are the white sandy beaches of Diani Beach. The moment that you step onto the soft white sands, you will feel as though you are truly in a world far away from your old life.
You should be prepared to protect yourself against the sun as it is intense in this part of the world. Spend time in the turquoise waters, snorkeling, swimming, or going scuba diving. You can do it all, include enjoy a variety of activities with other tourists and locals right here on this incredible beach.
Fort Jesus
Fort Jesus is, arguably, the biggest tourist destination in the city, and for good reason. This fort was built in the 1500s at the entrance to the port in Mombasa. It has stood throughout time and amidst changing leadership, but it remains a rock and beacon of hope for all who live in this city.
Voi National Park
Located in Tsavo West, this is an unforgettable adventure where you will see elephants, giraffe, and many other animals basking in their natural habitat. It’s one thing to see these creatures in a zoo or similar location, but something else entirely when you can see them truly roaming free.
Planning a vacation to the tropical city of Mombasa, Kenya means that you’re going to be exposed to an incredible amount of history and wonderful beaches. You will experience some of the clearest waters in the world with amazing colorful sea life and if you end up heading to one of the local sanctuaries, you’ll see some breathtaking sights with exotic creatures.
Any vacation is going to cost you money while you’re at your destination. There are ways that you can save money, however, when you’re visiting Mombasa.
Bring your own supplies.
You probably have a digital camera and other methods to help you capture the moments when you’re here. But do you have enough batteries and other supplies? You might not be able to take batteries with you on an airplane, but check with the carrier about their policies. Most will permit you to bring AA rated batteries and you should pack plenty for your entire trip here.
Make lunches in your hotel room.
Choose a hotel that has a small refrigerator in the room. Find a local market and pick up some basic supplies, like bread and other food items you’ll enjoy. Make yourself lunch every day and you’ll save a lot of money as opposed to eating out all of the time.
Choose lodging away from the main attractions.
One downside to this strategy is that you could end up spending a fair amount of money on taxi services to take you back and forth to the beaches. However, if you’re willing to walk a block or two to the beach, then you can save a bit of money as opposed to staying right on the white sandy beaches.
Plan your outings.
The best way to get around in Mombasa is by taxi service. If you’re planning to visit downtown Mombasa, Fort Jesus, and other attractions in the area, try to plan them all for the same day. This way you’ll save money on taxi fares.
When you’re planning a vacation to Mombasa with young children, you want to ensure their safety above everything else. Family vacations are wonderful, but if someone becomes sick or injured during that trip, it can put a damper on the entire vacation.
Children are curious, excitable, and don’t tend to think before they run off and try something. Below are 5 tips that you can consider when traveling with young children to help keep them safe.
1. Go with them when they head to the pool. Assuming that you’re staying at one of the many Mombasa hotels that have a pool, don’t operate under the assumption that there will be a lifeguard or other people down at the pool. Always escort young children to a hotel pool.
2. Make sure they use sunscreen. One thing kids don’t like to do is put on suntan lotion, or sunscreen. When you’re in Mombasa, you’re right by the equator, which means that the sun is going to be incredibly strong. They can burn easily, so be firm about having them wear some protection.
3. Have something to entertain them on the flight. When you’re on a plane and a young child becomes bored, it can make for an interesting and frustrating situation. They should remain in their seat as much as possible, aside from having to use the facilities. Keeping them entertained will help ensure you’re able to keep them calm and safe on the plane.
4. Don’t let them run off ahead near roads. You won’t be familiar with the roads or traffic in Mombasa, but you should always make sure that your young children are next to you when walking along sidewalks or getting ready to cross a road.
5. Keep a close eye on them when they are swimming in the ocean. Most of the beaches in Mombasa are very safe and the waters are clear, but you should always be sure that you have a clear sight on your young children when they are playing in the water.
When you follow these tips, you and your young children will have a great, safe time in Mombasa.
If you’re planning on staying in Mombasa –for a vacation with your family or business- then you should consider staying at the Makwetu Resort. Situated right along the gorgeous white sand beaches that have made this a popular tourist destination, the Makwetu Resort is one of Mombasa’s hotels and it offers some very reasonable rates as well.
The Advantages of the Makwetu Resort
One of the key advantages to staying at this resort is location. As most realtors around the world will tell you, the three most important aspects when it comes to properties and value are location, location, and location.
You can’t find too many places in Mombasa that offer a better location than this one. A few steps from the incredible white sand beaches and turquoise blue waters will have you feeling like you’ve escaped your old life for your entire visit here.
You will also find that the staff here are incredible friendly and willing to accommodate many requests that you may have.
The grounds are well maintained and they offer a luxurious pool where you and your children can relax after a long day of sightseeing or (believe it or not) swimming in the ocean.
The resort also offers a lot of self catering options for people who enjoy doing things for themselves. You can even hire your own personal cook to prepare certain meals for you. Extra charges will apply, of course.
Any disadvantages to the Makwetu Resort
The only major complaint that some guests have had with regard to this luxurious vacation resort would have to be, well … nothing. If you look at a wide range of reviews online for this Mombasa hotel, you will be hard pressed to find negative reviews.
It’s a wonderful place to spend your vacation or business trip. If you are planning to spend some time sightseeing in the heart of the city, Fort Jesus, or any of the wildlife sanctuaries nearby, you can get transportation right from the resort.