Mombasa is the 2nd largest city in Kenya after Nairobi and the administrative capital of Coast Province. The town is known for its friendly and welcoming people and humid weather at most times of the year. Mombasa is a fast developing city, integral to the development of the tourism industry at the Kenyan Coast. The City has an estimated population of 1 million people.
Mombasa is a coastal town situated on the shores of the Indian Ocean. The City’s port is important to the Country and also caters for inland landlocked nations such as Uganda, Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. The City is home to a Presidential State House, and foreign consulates including the Danish, French and Belgian consulates.
Transport:
Mombasa is linked to Nairobi by road and rail. The City is served by the Moi International Airport which caters for regular domestic and international flights.
Tourism in Mombasa:
Visitors to the Kenyan coast usually first arrive in Mombasa to embark on their coastal tours. The city has a number of interesting places to visit such as; the Mombasa Old Town, the Historic Fort Jesus (now a museum), beaches and local curio markets.
Flights to Mombasa:
There are a number of regular flights to Mombasa landing at the Moi International Airport. The airport is one of the busiest in the country experiencing high numbers during the peak tourism season. The Moi airport caters for regular domestic and international flights.
The airport is situated about 10 km from the city centre and transport to and from consists mainly of buses, matatus, taxi and shuttle services. Kenya Airways flies regularly between Nairobi and Mombasa providing a reliable connection for international tourists to the Kenyan Coast.
Airlines operating at the Mombasa airport include; Kenya Airways, British Airways, Malev, African Safari Airways, Air Europe, LTU, Brittania, Air Holland, Austrian Airlines, Eurofly, Sobel Air.
Hotels in Mombasa:
As a major tourist city, Mombasa is home to a range of excellent hotels and resorts. The town features prominently in local tourist itineraries. Hotels here vary from budget accommodation to five star luxury establishments. Popular hotels in Mombasa include;
The Mombasa Serena Beach Hotel:
A member of the Serena Chain of Hotels, this is one of the leading establishments at the Coast. The Mombasa Serena is situated at Shanzu Beach, within easy reach of a number of attractions including the Mombasa Marine National Park and the crocodile farm. The hotel’s services and amenities include; swimming pool, bars and restaurants.
The Diani Reef Grand Hotel:
Another luxury establishment, the Diani Reef Hotel is situated about 30 km from the city centre off Diani Beach road on a beachfront property. The hotel features a good selection of restaurants, bars, tennis courts, swimming pools, health and fitness center, casino, conference facilities, diving school and children’s playground.
Other popular hotels in Mombasa are; the WhiteSands Hotel, Bamburi Beach Hotel, Nyali Beach Hotel, Safari Beach Hotel.
