The largest port on the Coast of East Africa, Mombasa is hot, steamy
and historical. Mombassa is an island connected to the mainland by bridges and ferries. The
town over looks a wide harbour, where commercial shipping mingles with
traditional sailing dhows. Its earliest history dates back to the 12th century. A Muslim
haven for centuries, it was attacked by the Portuguese in 1505 and burnt to the
ground.
It was quickly rebuilt only to be reduced to rubble again by an
embattled Mombasan ruler during the long fight against the Portuguese. Mombasa's
Old Town is testament to this tumultuous era. Filled with ornate wooden
shopfronts and balconies, it's a constant source of delight for the observant
wanderer. The old quarter's most prominent attraction is Fort Jesus, which
dominates the harbour entrance. Begun in 1593 by the Portuguese, it changed
hands nine times between 1631 and 1875. Now a museum, the fort is a fascinating
mixture of Italian, Portuguese and Arabic design.
Mombasa proper sprawls over Mombasa Island which is connected to the mainland
both north and south of the city. The train station is in the middle of the
island, close to plenty of good hotels, restaurants and entertainment spots. A
string of great beaches dominates the coast just south and north of the town.
There are heaps of daily flights, trains and buses between Mombasa and Nairobi.
There are also regular buses running between Mombasa and Tanzania.
The true heart of Mombassa is found in the exotic old town, among the narrow
winding streets and Arab architecture. The air here is always heavy with the
scent of spices. Women wearing the traditional bui bui fill the narrow streets
and busy markets. At the dhow docks fresh fish and goods from all along the
coast arrive daily. The streets are alive with the bright colours of the
traditional coastal khanga and kikoy, the all-purpose wrap around cloth worn by
both men and women.
Modern Mombassa is a city of great diversity and life. This is a town were
all are welcomed and quickly absorbed into this great coastal melting pot.
Mosques, Hindu Temples and Christian churches surround streets that thrive with
a world of cultures.
Mombasa, an island formed from coral, is the second largest town in Kenya. It
is the most diverse town on the East African coast. Starting from around 2nd
Century, Mombasa has been home to immigrants from all over the world Persia,
Middle East, Western and Eastern Europe, and the Far East; dignitaries,
historians, explorers and missionaries have visited it. Mombasa is also where
AfricanMecca, Inc. seeds were sown.
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