Mombasa

As a coastal city, holidays in Mombasa are known for white sand beaches that are described as having the texture of baking flour. The clear green water is the perfect place to dip in your toes and stay cool in the sun or just jump in for a swim. Being a coastal city also means that Mombasa is a heavily used port of call for trading. On your Mombasa holiday, be sure to stop by Mama Ngina Drive to watch the ships coming in and out of the harbour. If you get there early, you might even catch a glimpse of the fabulous sunrise before visiting one of the local restaurants for a great meal or grabbing some cassava chips from a street vendor. Whether you choose to explore the city, watch the ships come in to port or just sit with your feet in the water whilst enjoying the sun, you’re guaranteed to have a great time on your holiday in Mombasa.

Shopping in Mombasa is a completely different experience than the shopping malls you are accustomed to in the west. Much of the shopping done by locals in Mombasa is from outdoor markets, one of which ironically takes place in the parking lot of an indoor shopping mall. If you’re interested in trying the local fruits and vegetables of Kenya, be sure to stop by the Marikiti Market where you can get a cup of rich Kenyan coffee or a glass of sugarcane juice freshly squeezed right in front of you. Every Wednesday and Thursday you can visit the Maasai Market for handmade goods and souvenirs to take home to your loved ones. If your feet are up for even more walking, be sure to visit the Spice Market along Nehru and Langoni Roads to smell the scents of cardamom, pepper, turmeric and curry powders hanging in the air.

The cuisine in Mombasa is known for being filling and inexpensive. The staple foods of Kenya are maize and other cereals or grains, such as millet and sorghum. These heavy grains are nutrient rich, easy to cook and inexpensive to buy. One of the most common meals you’ll see while on holiday in Mombasa is ugali which is made from cornmeal boiled in water that creates a dense, dough-like, grainy-textured meal. The ugali is sometimes mixed with whatever vegetables are on hand at the time. Kenyan pilau is another local favourite that’s made of rice cooked with flavourful spices such as cumin, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves. Kenyan’s like to eat their pilau with stew or fresh tomatoes. One of the more famous vegetable dishes that you’ll experience while on holiday in Mombasa is sukuma wiki, which is made of collard greens cooked in oil, often with fresh tomatoes. Locals love to add their favourite spice, known as Mchuzi Mix, which is basically just MSG and salt. No matter what dish you choose to eat, be sure to try the local food while on holiday in Mombasa.

Since Mombasa is located near the equator, there is very little fluctuation in its weather throughout the year. Mombasa has a tropical climate which means that there is a wet and dry season, but the rains normally don’t last long, leaving plenty of time for exploring outside or lying out on the beach.

Due to its location, no matter the time of year that you visit, you will have very little variation in the amount of daylight hours. Whether visiting in the winter or summer, your Mombasa holiday will be filled with sunlight and places to explore.

Salt spray, sunscreen and white sand

The best time of year to visit the beaches of Mombasa is during the warm season from December to April. March is the warmest month and that’s the best time to swim if you don’t like chilly water as the sea temperature gets up to 30 degrees. The average high temperature during this period is 28 degrees, meaning it’s the perfect time to be outside. The warm part of the year is a great time to explore the outdoor markets or beaches while on your holidays to Mombasa. If you’re looking for a great beach to relax, check out Nyali and Bamburi beaches. If you’re looking to mingle with other people, enjoy drinks and dancing, be sure to check out Pirates Public beach.

You call this the cold season?

The “cold” season in Mombasa will likely seem downright warm to most travellers. From June to September you will experience the cold season while on holiday in Mombasa. The average low temperature during this time is 20 to 23 degrees. With weather this fantastic year round, there’s no excuse to not holiday in Mombasa. The coldest month of the year is June when the temperature can dip down below 25 degrees but the sun is still most likely shining. If you’re willing to brave the cool weather, try a tour of Nguuni Nature Sanctuary and get to know the giraffes and ostriches or just enjoy the bird watching. If you’re looking for a simpler outdoor adventure, visit Haller Park to enjoy the lush forests surrounded by a game sanctuary, reptile park and butterfly sanctuary. The natural elements of the parks will keep your holidays to Mombasa feeling fresh.

Rainy Days

Mombasa does experience a wet season, though it’s very short. The rainiest months of the year are April and May, with May getting an average of 260 millimetres of rain. Though the rainy days are few and far between, if your holidays take you to Mombasa during the wetter months, be prepared with some indoor activities to keep you entertained. If you find yourself in Mombasa on a rainy day, that’s the perfect time to visit its World Heritage Site known as the Jesus Fort, which was built in 1593. First built by the Portuguese, this building was later used by the Arabs for torture rooms and prison cells where slaves were kept in captivity. The Jesus Fort is open every day and you can tour for just a small fee. Though the museum hasn’t been properly curated, you’re bound to learn something about Swahili, even if just from the frescoed walls, European graffiti, Arabic inscriptions and Swahili embellishments left by centuries of residents and visitors. As Mombasa’s number one tourist attraction, a tour of the Fort Jesus is not to be missed.