Mombasa
Kenya's oldest city and its port - Swahili Old Town, Fort Jesus and the gateway to both coasts.
Overview
Mombasa has been a Swahili trading port for at least a thousand years, and it shows. The island city has been fought over by Portuguese, Omani, and British forces, and Fort Jesus - built by the Portuguese in 1593 and now a UNESCO World Heritage site - changed hands nine times in two centuries. The Old Town behind it is a compact quarter of narrow lanes, carved balconies and Indian and Arab merchant houses, best walked in the early morning. Beyond the history, Mombasa is a working city of a million and a half people rather than a resort: the tourist beaches are north at Nyali, Bamburi and Shanzu, or south at Tiwi and Diani across the Likoni ferry. Haller Park, a rehabilitated limestone quarry north of the city, is a genuinely interesting piece of ecological restoration and an easy family outing. The food is the other reason to stop - Swahili coastal cooking, biryani and street snacks are at their best here.
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Photos of Mombasa
When to visit Mombasa
Month by month: wildlife, weather and how busy it gets.
October
Short rains — brief afternoon storms, green landscapes, fewer visitors.
- Wildlife
- —
- Weather
- Weather: 4 / 5
- Crowds
- Crowds: 3 / 5
- Rainfall
- 90 mm
- Temperature
- 23–31 °C
Show all twelve monthsHide the full table
| Best time to visit | Wildlife | Weather | Crowds | Rainfall | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryPeak seasonPeak dry season — the best game viewing and the highest prices. | — | Weather: 5 / 5 | Crowds: 4 / 5 | 25 mm | 24–32 °C |
| FebruaryPeak dry season — the best game viewing and the highest prices. | — | Weather: 5 / 5 | Crowds: 4 / 5 | 20 mm | 24–33 °C |
| MarchShort rains — brief afternoon storms, green landscapes, fewer visitors. | — | Weather: 4 / 5 | Crowds: 3 / 5 | 60 mm | 25–33 °C |
| AprilLong rains — some tracks impassable and some camps closed. Lowest prices. | — | Weather: 2 / 5 | Crowds: 2 / 5 | 190 mm | 24–32 °C |
| MayLong rains — some tracks impassable and some camps closed. Lowest prices. | — | Weather: 1 / 5 | Crowds: 1 / 5 | 290 mm | 23–30 °C |
| JuneWet month — expect rain most days, and lush, difficult country. | — | Weather: 3 / 5 | Crowds: 2 / 5 | 110 mm | 22–29 °C |
| JulyShort rains — brief afternoon storms, green landscapes, fewer visitors. | — | Weather: 4 / 5 | Crowds: 4 / 5 | 80 mm | 21–29 °C |
| AugustShort rains — brief afternoon storms, green landscapes, fewer visitors. | — | Weather: 4 / 5 | Crowds: 4 / 5 | 70 mm | 21–29 °C |
| SeptemberShort rains — brief afternoon storms, green landscapes, fewer visitors. | — | Weather: 4 / 5 | Crowds: 3 / 5 | 70 mm | 22–30 °C |
| OctoberShort rains — brief afternoon storms, green landscapes, fewer visitors. | — | Weather: 4 / 5 | Crowds: 3 / 5 | 90 mm | 23–31 °C |
| NovemberWet month — expect rain most days, and lush, difficult country. | — | Weather: 3 / 5 | Crowds: 3 / 5 | 120 mm | 24–32 °C |
| DecemberPeak seasonShort rains — brief afternoon storms, green landscapes, fewer visitors. | — | Weather: 4 / 5 | Crowds: 5 / 5 | 80 mm | 24–32 °C |