MOMBASA
Kenya's Coastal Oasis
The place where the sun is even hotter than the spices of exotic markets! This city on the coast of Kenya not only impresses with its radiant weather, which everyone longs for on vacation. What else is there to discover?
Don't forget to put on your sunglasses and dive into 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's the weather like in Mombasa?
Kenya is located more or less directly on the equator, which is why Mombasa has a tropical climate. You can expect temperatures around 30 °C all year round. Even at night, it's still pleasant, and temperatures rarely drop below 20 °C.
But be careful: it's not always bright sunshine in Mombasa. This is because there are not just one, but two rainy seasons! The first rainy season of the year is from late March to mid-June – known as the "long rains." At the end of the year, there's the "short rains" from October to early December. As the name suggests, rainfall during this time tends to be lighter.
The best time to visit Mombasa
Let's start the other way around: The worst time to visit Mombasa is during the main rainy season, as heavy rainfall often leads to flooding. The best time to visit is therefore simply outside the main rainy season, i.e. from June to early March. The short rainy season also falls within this window – although there are showers, they are comparatively limited and can even provide a pleasant cool-down! Furthermore, this period is not part of the peak tourist season. Better prices are therefore almost guaranteed!
How long is the flight to Mombasa?
On a direct flight from Frankfurt to Mombasa, you'll be in the air for about 9 hours. If you're flying from a different airport or have layovers, the flight time can extend up to 15 hours.
P.S.: If you fly Business Class with Discover Airlines, we'll sweeten your flight with a 1SHOT!
Fort Jesus
Mombasa Attractions
A significant historical landmark stands – almost – directly in Mombasa's Old Town: Fort Jesus. The 16th-century historical fortress is located at the eastern end of the Old Town. The fort was built on behalf of the Portuguese King Sebastião da Gama to control the trade of the port city. The old city walls and the fort's towers therefore offer breathtaking views of both the sea and the city. Today, the fortress is also a museum where one can learn all about the region's history.
Haller Park, Bamburi Nature Park, Shimba Hills National Reserve
Mombasa's National Parks
If you don't want to go on a full safari in Kenya, you can visit the nature parks in the Mombasa area instead. While Haller Park and Bamburi Nature Park are rather small, Shimba Hills National Reserve is a very extensive wildlife sanctuary. For this, you have to drive a little further - about 30 km from Mombasa. But all three parks have their attractions.
Haller Park is a former limestone quarry. It was only in the 1970s that the area was transformed into a park. In addition to a variety of animal and plant species – including a very large number of different birds in particular – the park is known for its baobab trees and its butterfly pavilion.
Bamburi Nature Park also has an interesting origin story. Its name comes from a nearby cement factory. In 1971, after limestone extraction was completed, the factory donated the area to the community to convert it into a nature park. Today, it features, among other things, a turtle breeding station, a nature trail, and a viewing platform overlooking the sea turtle nesting sites!
The Shimba Hills National Reserve, on the other hand, is a larger wildlife sanctuary located about 33 km south of Mombasa. There you can observe elephants, buffalo, giraffes, leopards, and various monkey species in their natural environment, among other animals. The park is also known for its impressive waterfalls and lush vegetation.
Mombasa's Beaches
Kenya's Coasts
Mombasa's beaches are world-renowned and very popular. If you'd like to soak up some sun on the sand for a few hours 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 boast soft white sand, turquoise water, and numerous water sports options!
Kenya's Corals
Underwater world ahoy
Snorkelers and divers will find excellent conditions around Mombasa. If you're traveling to Mombasa for diving, you should aim for the period from mid-December to mid-March, which is the dry season. Little to no rain means that underwater visibility remains good and currents are usually mild, making diving easier. This way, you can admire the beautiful coral reefs off the coast of Mombasa without any problems.
