Mombasa has a long history the traces can be found from the writings of the 16th century making Mombasa city tour rich in heritage. Many traders did attempt to enforce their governance on the town due to its advantageously central location, where Arab influence is felt prominently till date.
The history of The Port of Mombasa dates back many centuries from the existence of the Old Port. The Port served dhows from India, Arabian Gulf and Far East. It is located near Fort Jesus at Mombasa Old Town. In 1890, Kenya and Uganda became a British Protectorate under the Imperial British East Africa.
The Portuguese also had their influence on the port that changed the face of the land by burning it almost three times. Believed that Vasco da Gama was the first known European to visit Mombasa, whose purpose of exploration was to spread the Christian faith to further expand Portugal’s trading area. Mombasa became Portugal’s main trading centre of spices, cotton and coffee, where Fort Jesus was constructed. The Fort served as the major center for trading goods that protected the Portuguese from conflicts with locals the remains of which still attracts a great deal of tourists and visitors. As slavery was highly practiced during that era, the local slaves were exchanged for goods.
Colonization perpetuated in Mombasa that promoted European culture over the town and the Kenyan lands. Like in India, the British gained momentum and established control of the port. They even completed a railway line in the early 1900’s from Mombasa to Uganda which is perhaps the major landmark in the history of Mombasa. Thus, from 1887 to 1907, Mombasa remained the capital of the British East Africa Protectorate
Whether on a Full Day or half day Mombasa city tour is a must do when at the coastal beach holiday in Kenya. This gives one insight understanding not only of the beaches but life in this beautiful island. Served with only 3 entrance, Mombasa Island can be accessed from Makupa bridge from Nairobi Mombasa highway, Nyali bridge from the north and through likoni ferry from south coast (Diani).
During full day Mombasa city tour, places to visit includes; Visit the historical and cultural sites, visit Bamburi Nature Trail, and Fort Jesus with lunch included at the famous the Tamarind Dhow.
Fort Jesus is a must visit during Mombasa city tour. The Fort, built by the Portuguese in 1593-1596 to the designs of Giovanni Battista Cairati to protect the port of Mombasa, is one of the most outstanding and well preserved examples of 16th Portuguese military fortification and a landmark in the history of this type of construction.
Haller Park is a nature park in Bamburi, Mombasa, on the Kenyan coast. It is the transformation of a quarry wasteland into an ecological area. Haller Park holds a variety of plant and animal species which serve as a recreation spot for tourists and locals. During the tour of the park and its museum, African safari wildlife would be spotted with a well secure nature trails. Such animals include impala, monkeys, baboons, hippo, buffalos, giraffe, tortoise, snakes at the snake park among others.
Akamba handcraft tops the list of places to visit while on Mombasa city tour. Here you will find all nature of calving from all African wildlife to various artifacts sold locally and internationally.
However city tour of Mombasa is never complete without a tour of the old town where old housing dating 19th century are the main icons, and main street Moi avenue where Mombasa trademark tusks are found. Likoni ferry and newly done and built mama ngina water front are a must visit when on Mombasa city tour .
