Mombasa Beach Excursions, Short safaris Mombasa, Tours Tsavo Safari

MOMBASA EXCURSIONS

Excursions & Short Safaris From Mombasa
Whilst staying in the coastal Island of Mombasa, there are various 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.

Tour Cost: US$ 60 Per Person

Tamarind Village

Mombasa City Tour & Ngomongo Village
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. Continue to Ngomongo Villages Theme Park for a cultural tour and lunch at trekkers Restaurant. Ngomongo Villages Park is a collection of 9 diverse rural Kenya tribal homesteads, each complete with hut, cultivated crops, domestic and wild animals (like crocodiles for the El Molo man) wild animal traps, charms and fetishes, tinsmiths and even a village witch doctor! Each village has tribe - specific activities for you to engage in, including archery, boating, rafting, tasting tribal foods and liquor, forest walk, hook fishing, grinding and pounding maize. After the trek through the village households, you get the "Deja vu" feeling that you have literally walked throughout rural Kenya in only 1 hour 30 minutes.

Tour Cost: US$ 85 Per Person
Real Africa Ecotour + Ngomongo Village - Full Day
Pick up at 9am - 9.30am in the morning. Depart on a field trip to a real African village of the “Giriama” people to see their architecture, peasant farming, domestic animals, their abundant children and family life. Here you will see a "Giriama" tinsmith working on his goat-hide bellows to fire his iron items. You will also meet local artisans weaving reeds mats, hats and baskets for sale. You will be amazed to watch “Giriama” wine trappers as they climb to the top of 60 ft coconut trees to tap coconut wine, locally known as “Mnazi”. You will also meet the village witchdoctor. If you are lucky he will “divine” a solution to your “problems”. Continue to Ngomongo Villages Theme Park for a cultural tour and lunch at trekkers Restaurant. Ngomongo Villages Park is a collection of 9 diverse rural Kenya tribal homesteads, each complete with hut, cultivated crops, domestic and wild animals (like crocodiles for the El Molo man) wild animal traps, charms and fetishes, tinsmiths and even a village witch doctor! Each village has tribe - specific activities for you to engage in, including archery, boating, rafting, tasting tribal foods and liquor, forest walk, hook fishing, grinding and pounding maize. After the trek through the village households, you get the "Deja vu" feeling that you have literally walked throughout rural Kenya in only 1 hour 30 minutes.

Tour Cost: US$ 95 Per Person
Coastal Cultural Tour (Bush 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 (MES)
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.

Shimba Hills Rainforest Lodge

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 13^th 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.
Full Day – City Tour and Nature Tour
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.

Fort Jesus Museum

Tamarind Dhow Safari
At 12.00pm or 6.30 pm departure from the Tamarind jetty for the lunch cruise or evening cruise respectively. After a welcome cocktail the Tamarind Dhow Nawalicker (meaning Gateway to Heaven) cruises past the Old Town and Fort Jesus. Fantastic sea food meals prepared by the world famous Tamarind Restaurant are enjoyed while a local band plays music to suite all tastes. A tri-lingual guide, fully stocked bar and friendly service all add to the unforgettable atmosphere. 2.45 pm or 10.30 pm return to the jetty and thereafter your hotel.

HOTELS & LODGES