There are so many things to do when you’re in Mombasa that it can feel as though you’re overwhelmed by choices. Breaking it down and having a plan will make it much easier for you to navigate all of the options.

Below is a list of the top 5 destinations in and around Mombasa.

1. Old Town. Just about any city that has been around for hundreds of years has an ‘old town,’ but Mombasa’s is located right around Fort Jesus. It consists of plenty of souvenir shops and restaurants. It’s a great place to explore on Sunday, when the majority of the city’s hustle and bustle is taking a break.

2. Haller Park. Along the east side of Links Road, north of Nyali, you’ll find Bamburi Nature Trail. This is actually a zoo but it has the feel of a park. You can see giraffe, hippos, monkeys, and plenty of reptiles.

3. Nyali Theater. If you’re looking for a touch of home, you can catch a variety of movies from Hollywood (US) as well as Bollywood (India) along with a casino, bowling alley, and a variety of food selections.

4. Tiwi Beach. On the South Coast you will find Tiwi Beach. What makes this different than Diani or other beaches? It’s not overrun by tourism. At low tide, you can swim out to the tidal pool where plenty of incredible tropical fish are trapped until the tide comes back in.

5. Diani Beach. On just about every top places list for Mombasa, you’ll find Diani Beach. That’s because there is plenty to do. You can enjoy relaxing at the ’40 Thieves’ beach bar, watch the native monkeys play, or take part in any of the amazing watersports that are popular along this incredible long, white sand beach.

Fort Jesus, Mombasa Kenya

Staying in Mombasa will mean that you enjoy the vacation (or business trip) of a lifetime. Not only are the beaches here spectacular, but you can delve into a world of incredible culture, magnificent beauty, and history as well.

3 Must See Attractions are:

• Diani Beach
• Fort Jesus
• Kaya Kinondo

Diani Beach

Spending at least one day at the white sands of Diani Beach is an absolute must for anyone who has never been to Mombasa. Even for those seasoned veterans, this is the one place that they tend to stop first.

Walk along the white sands of this beach, snorkel in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, or just lay back and enjoy some sun. Use caution, though, because when you’re in Mombasa, you’re closer to the equator and that means you can get burned a bit easier than when you’re home, especially if you live quite a distance from the equator.

Fort Jesus

One of the most historic sites outside of Mombasa is Fort Jesus. Built hundreds of years ago using the natural seashells and rock of the region, this fort has changed hands so many times but it continues to be a beacon of strength for the residents of this great city.

Kaya Kinondo

While you may not find this on too many travel brochures, this is a sacred forest that nestles up against the famed Diani Beach. You can tour some of the incredible foliage, meet some great and enthusiastic staff members, and learn a wealth of information about this region of the world.

Once you’re in Mombasa, you’re likely going to be staying in a nice hotel with plenty of amenities. You may spend a few days at the white sandy beaches that have made this region of the world so popular among tourists. You’re also going to want to visit some of the historical and cultural sites, as well as take in shopping and other wonderful experiences throughout this great Kenyan city.

Getting around in Mombasa can be tricky if you don’t know what to expect. While some people do rent a car, if you are not familiar with the roads or traffic rules, you could easily become lost within a couple of miles of your hotel or your destination.

Buses are not common in Mombasa and trains are only designed to bring you to a few other major cities. That leaves the taxi services that are famous throughout Mombasa.

If you want to get around without a great deal of fuss and without much fanfare, then you should take a taxi. Most hotels throughout Mombasa will be able to help you get a taxi and can provide some tips on where to visit.

When you check into your hotel, ask the employees what you should do when you need to get a taxi. They may require you to be to down in the lobby waiting before they call you a cab or they may be able to take your reservation while you’re still in your room.

Know about how much it will cost to take your trip before you get into the cab. Hotel management may have a general idea of the cost tables, and the more you know about how much you should expect to pay each way, the less likely you’ll end up overpaying for your ride into the heart of the city, to Fort Jesus, or to any of the other wonderful sights to behold in this great vacation destination.

If you’re heading to Mombasa for vacation, a business trip, or just for some time away from home, you may be interested in getting out at night. Mombasa is known for its white sandy beaches, incredible history that includes Fort Jesus, and the amazing blend of cultures that makes this an attractive destination.

Nightlife in Mombasa is ripe for those looking to relax, to dance, party, or to just get a good bite to eat after dark. You don’t have to be subjected to sitting alone in your hotel room in Mombasa, or to spend the entire evening on the beach. If you want some excitement, consider checking out a few of the hot spots that make up nightlife in Mombasa.

Just Drinks

This pub is in the heart of Mombasa and has a warm atmosphere. When you head here, you’ll feel as though you’re more than welcome and on top of that, you’ll get some of the best brews around.

Pixies Lounge Bar

This is one of the newer nightspots in Mombasa and offers clients a broad range of options and some fun events throughout the week. The clientele who head here tend to be tourists for the most part, so you’ll likely find a variety of interesting individuals to mingle with.

Forty Pub

If you’re interested in a local pub that caters to the African culture and locals as well as tourists, you shouldn’t miss this stop on your trip. While safety is a concern for tourists, this place is one that you can feel comfortable and relaxed in.

Florida Nightclub & Casino

For a slight change of pace, check out this hot spot in Mombasa’s Red District. Here you can get down and dance with the hottest DJs or try your luck at the craps tables.

Traveling with children can be challenging, so when your vacation plans take you to Mombasa, Kenya, to the beautiful white sand beaches and incredible culture that abounds in this city, having a peaceful and relaxing time can be difficult at times.

The more that you know about traveling with children, the more you can do to plan ahead and be ready for any issues that arise before they occur. We have put together a few powerhouse tips that will help any family make their next vacation trip to Mombasa (or their first) one to remember for the rest of their lives (and for all the right reasons).

Give yourself extra time.

Whether you’re at the airport, waiting at the hotel, or even at customs, it’s going to take time. Make sure that you give yourself extra time. When you’re trying to rush and catch a flight, you will be stressed and your children will reflect that behavior.

Flying to Mombasa means you’re going to have at least one connection flight, so be sure to give yourself extra time so that if your main flight is delayed, you won’t be worried about missing the connection to Mombasa.

Book ahead.

While you will certain want to book all of your flights ahead of time (avoid waiting for last minute deals … when it comes to your vacation with children, it’s better to book well in advance), booking hotels, tours, and other special events is a good idea.

You also want to make sure that your form of payment for your hotel is going to be valid and work. The hotels will generally charge your credit card on the day of your arrival and if it doesn’t go through, you could lose your room to standby guests.

Give your kids a camera.

Forget the iPhone, tablets, or game consoles. Traveling is full of incredible experiences for children. Even in the airport there is so much to see, hear, and experience. Let them take pictures with a digital camera. Not only will they become more engaged, you’ll be able to see the experience through their perspective.

Bring plenty of sunscreen.

Your kids might shun sunscreen, but one day at a tropical climate and they could be burned. That’s going to make the rest of your trip that much more miserable. Be sure to pack more than enough sunscreen to apply every hour or so throughout the day.

These tips should help make your next trip to Mombasa so much more enjoyable than you could possibly imagine.

Vacationing in Mombasa is one of the best decisions that you’ll make. If you’ve never visited this part of the world, you’re in for one incredible vacation. If you have been here before, then you already know how much fun you’re going to have.

In order to help ensure that your stay in Mombasa is the best that it can be, there are 5 must have items that you should not forget.

1. Money

It’s easy to assume that you’re going to have more than enough, but too many vacationers get here and then spend a lot of their money within the first couple of days. It’s easy to do because there are so many incredible restaurants, the nightlife is amazing, and the day trips to the safari, crocodile farm, and even Fort Jesus are all breathtaking.

Make sure that you set a budget for each day while you’re in Mombasa. When you manage your money, and you bring more than enough, or have access to more, then you’re going to enjoy every day of your trip.

2. Sunscreen

Don’t forget that Mombasa is right along the equator and that means the sun is at its hottest just about all day long. If you forget sunscreen, you can certainly buy some here, but it will cost you a lot more than if you simply bring it with you.

3. Swimsuit

Even if you’re not an avid swimmer, you’re going to want to take a dip in the turquoise waters along the white sand beaches here. If not, you then might prefer to spend some time at the bar, which can be located in the pool at your hotel.

4. Comfortable walking shoes

There is so much to do in Mombasa and a lot of it will require walking. If you only bring sandals or flip-flops, you could be in for a rough surprise when you’re walking for miles or trying to get out to see the wildlife sanctuary. Pack at least one pair of comfortable walking shoes.

5. Camera

You’re going to see a lot things on your trip to Mombasa. Capture them in images or video so that you can share with your friends and loved ones back home. If you forget your camera, you likely have a camera on your smartphone, but if not, you can still buy cheap, disposable cameras from a number of gift shops throughout the city.