MOMBASA SAFARIS
Mombasa Excursions:
While staying in Mombasa, you may plan to engage in some of these excursions available:
Mombasa Town Tour
The colourful island town of Mombasa with its blend of
ancient and modern buildings on the Indian Ocean is Kenya’s principal
port and the country’s second largest city. A comprehensive tour of the
island include the old Arab town, with it’s maze of narrow twisting
alleys displaying the beautifully curved doors and verandahs, bazaars
with curio and antique shops, the Dhow harbour still in use, a Hindu
temple, a visit to the Akamba wood carvers and a drive to the bazaar for
a short shopping expedition. The high light of the tour is probably the
visit to Fort Jesus. Built in 1593 by the Portuguese to guard the
entrance to the old Dhow harbour, it is the island’s Landmark. Four
hundred years old, the port still stands and serves as a historical
museum.
Coastal Cultural Tour
The coastal countryside and its people offer a different
perspective to Kenya’s tribal heritage. The tour provides a glimpse
into the traditions and cultures of the coastal people with a visit to a
Giriama or Digo Village with our local guide. Continue to Kaloleni to
visit the local market and thereafter drive to Kenya Marine land on the
North coast, which offers an opportunity to observe numerous species of
tropical marine life in giant aquariums. A snake park, situated nearby
is also visited and you can watch carvers at work producing the famous
“Makonde” pieces of art.
Shimba Hills Tour/Mwaluganje elephant Sanctuary
The Shimba Hills are a short drive from Mombasa. South
of the island, they are reached via the Likoni Ferry and are over a
thousand feet high which offers one a view of both the Indian Ocean and
the African bush. A visit to the MES is highly recommended and is
located about 30 minutes from the glistening beaches of south coast. At
MES you will experience a unique safari in a spectacular landscape.
Elephants here never forget. Like them, you’ll always remember
Mwaluganje. MES’s 60,000 acres feature dramatic cliffs and forested
hills as well as bush land with baobabs – all striking for the wildlife.
Apart from the elephant, you might see warthog, impala, bushbuck,
sable, Cape buffalo and leopard.
Malindi and Gedi Tour
Depart from your coastal hotel and drive north to Kilifi
through attractive country covered by extensive sisal plantations
dotted with huge baobab trees. Cross the scenic creek and continue onto
the ancient city of Gedi-a 13th century ruin in the heart of a dense
forest. Thereafter proceed onto the coastal town of Malindi for lunch
and an exploration of the marine park in a glass-bottomed boat where an
experienced guide takes you on goggling and snorkelling. Later, visit a
nearby village and watch the Giriama tribe perform exciting tribal
dances before driving back to Mombasa by sundown.
City Tour and Nature Tour - Full Day
A comprehensive morning tour of the island including a
visit to Fort Jesus is followed by lunch at Mamba Village. Mamba is the
Swahili name for crocodile and this “village” is really a crocodile
farm. Depart after lunch for the Bamburi Quarry Nature Trail. The
wasteland of the stone quarry has been reclaimed and amongst the
casuarinas trees and other tropical flora reside a variety of wildlife
and birds, Eland and Buffalo, Crocodiles and other reptiles can be seen
wandering with crowned cranes. The commercially viable aquaculture
complex is also visited.