MOMBASA
The coastal oasis of Kenya
The place where the sun is even hotter than the spices of any exotic markets! The city on the coast of Kenya convinces not only with its bright weather, which everyone wants on vacation. What else is there to discover?
Don't forget to put on your sunglasses and immerse yourself in the world of Mombasa here ↓
Where is Mombasa located?
Mombasa is the second largest city in the African country of Kenya. It is - the most important port city in East Africa and is located directly on the Indian Ocean.
What is the weather like in Mombasa?
Kenya is more or less directly on the equator. Mombasa therefore has a tropical climate. All year round, you can expect temperatures of around 30 °C. Even at night it is still pleasant and the temperatures rarely drop below 20 °C.
But beware: In Mombasa it is not always bright sunshine. Because there is not only one, but two rainy seasons! The first rainy season of the year is from the end of March to mid-June - called the "big rainy season". At the end of the year there is the "small rainy season" from October to the beginning of December. As the name suggests, the rainfall at this time is rather weaker.
The best time to visit Mombasa
Let's start the other way around: The worst time to travel to Mombasa is during the big rainy season, because the heavy rainfall can often cause flooding. Therefore, the best time to travel is simply outside of the major rainy season, which is from June to early March. The small rainy season is also in this time window - because there are showers, but they are comparatively limited and can also provide a pleasant cooling! In addition, this time does not belong to the main tourist season. So better prices are almost guaranteed!
How long is the flight time to Mombasa?
A direct flight from Frankfurt to Mombasa takes about 9 hours. If you fly from another airport or have stopovers, the flight time can extend up to 15 hours.
PS: If you're flying in Discover Airlines Business Class, we'll sweeten your flight with a 1SHOT!
Fort Jesus
Mombasa Sights
An important historical landmark stands - almost - directly in the old town of Mombasa: Fort Jesus. The historic 16th century fort is located at the eastern end of the old town. The fort was built by order of the Portuguese king Sebastião da Gama to keep the port city's trade under control. The old city wall and the towers of the fort therefore offer a breathtaking view of the sea as well as of the city. Today, by the way, the fort is a museum where you can learn all about the history of the region.
Haller Park, Bamburi Nature Park, Shimba HillsNational Reserve
Mombasa's nature parks
If you don't want to do a whole safari in Kenya, you can visit the nature parks around Mombasa instead. While Haller Park and Bamburi Nature Park are rather small, Shimba Hills National Reserve is a very extensive nature reserve. For that you also have to drive a bit further - about 30 km from Mombasa. But all three parks have their attractions.
Haller Park is a former limestone mining area. It was not until the 1970s that the area was transformed into a park. In addition to a variety of animal and plant species - including, above all, a very large number of different birds - the park is known for its baobab trees and its butterfly pavilion.
Bamburi Nature Park also has interesting roots. The name comes from a nearby cement factory. In 1971, after limestone quarrying was completed, the factory donated the area to the municipality to turn it into a nature reserve. Today, among other things, there is a turtle breeding station, a nature trail and a viewing platform with a view of the sea turtle nesting sites!
The Shimba Hills National Reserve, on the other hand, is a larger nature reserve located about 33 km south of Mombasa. There you can see elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, leopards and various species of monkeys, among others, in their natural environment. The park is also known for its impressive waterfalls and lush plant life.
Mombasa beaches
Kenya's coasts
The beaches of Mombasa are world famous and very popular. If you want to spend a few hours sunbathing in the sand during your trip, you should take a closer look at one of these beaches:
- Diani Beach
- Nyali Beach
- Bamburi Beach
- Shanzu Beach
- Tiwi Beach
All beaches convince with soft white sand, turquoise water and quite a few water sports options!
Kenya corals
Underwater world ahoy
Snorkelers and divers will find the best conditions around Mombasa. If you are traveling to Mombasa for diving, you should aim for mid-December to mid-March as your travel time, which is the dry season. This is because little or no rain means that visibility underwater remains good and also the currents are usually mild, which makes diving easier. You can then marvel at the beautiful coral reefs off the coast of Mombasa without any problems.
