Guidebook for Mombasa

Car hire, matatus (mini buses) and tuks tuks are the most convenient and common ways to get around Mombasa. Tuk-tuks are theoretically cheaper than taxis, but that doesn't mean you're not going to get ripped off. For taxi I recommend Uber particularly at night.

Swahili cuisine features lots of fresh fish, fragrant rice and seafood curries as well as Arabic and Indian influences. Specialities include barbecued meat, a spicy tomato relish known as kachumbari, mandazi savoury dough balls and cooked banana. Dishes are flavoured with coconut, tamarind and lots of spices but there are also plenty of international options too. Nyma choma (roast meat, usually goat or beef) is a favourite in Kenya, with ugali (porridge) on the side and if you fancy trying a new drink, the coast is renowned for its madafu (coconut water)

Christianity and Islam mainly

If a service charge isn't included in your restaurant bill, tip 10% should you wish to tip.

Three days in Mombasa is ample time to visit the city’s UNESCO-listed attractions, sunbathe and sip cocktails, and venture farther afield to hang out with elephants and giraffes. From kid-friendly water parks to multi-day safaris, here are top tips for making the most of your time in Kenya’s oldest city.

Start off at Fort Jesus and Mandhry Mosque. If you have time in the afternoon, cool off at a water park, cycle along rural trails, or learn more about the region’s flora and fauna at an ecopark. After a busy day, unwind on an evening dinner cruise along the coastline.

Spend a day in Shimba Hills National Reserve in search of leopards, elephants, and myriad bird species. Or, head out on a multi-day adventure touring the iconic Tsavo national parks, Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, or Maasai Mara large-game reserve. Alternatively, seafarers and marine-life lovers might opt for a day away from the mainland spotting dolphins on a wildlife-watching cruise.

Wander around a few of Mombasa’s museums, galleries, and cultural centers. Then jump in a tuk-tuk or taxi to one of the sandy beaches that line the city’s north coast, and while away the afternoon sunbathing, sipping cocktails, or taking part in water sports.