1 dayDay trip
Wasini Island
Wasini Island Dolphin & Snorkelling Day Trip
Departs Mombasa · Diani
FromKES7,500per person sharing
Mombasa
Mombasa City Tour
See Mombasa with someone who knows it: Fort Jesus, the lanes of Old Town, the Tusks and sunset snacks on Mama Ngina Waterfront, with hotel pick-up included.
- Day trip
- From Mombasa
- Half or full day
Overview
Mombasa is older than most visitors realise. Arab, Persian, Indian, Portuguese and British traders have all left their mark on this island city, and the best way to read it is on a guided tour with a driver who can take you straight to the good bits and a guide who can tell you what you're looking at.
The tour starts at Fort Jesus, the coral-stone fortress built by the Portuguese in the 1590s and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a small museum inside its walls. From there you walk into Old Town: narrow lanes, carved Swahili doors, wooden balconies, the old harbour where dhows once unloaded and the smell of coffee and spices drifting out of the shops. The drive continues past the famous Tusks on Moi Avenue and through the busy heart of the city before ending at Mama Ngina Waterfront, where families come to watch ships slide through the channel and snack on madafu, spiced cassava crisps and mabuyu.
Half day or full day?
The half-day tour covers the essentials in about four hours. The full-day version slows the pace, adds time for lunch and shopping for kikoi, kanga and spices, and lets you finish at the waterfront in the cooler evening.
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Works well for cruise and business visitors with a free day
- Fort Jesus, a 16th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Guided walk through the lanes of Old Town
- Photo stop at the Tusks on Moi Avenue
- Sunset snacks on Mama Ngina Waterfront
- Half-day and full-day options
Day by day
- Day 1
Fort Jesus, Old Town and Mama Ngina Waterfront
Pick-up from your hotel in Mombasa, Nyali, Bamburi or Shanzu at around 08:30. Start at Fort Jesus to explore the ramparts and museum, then walk through Old Town's lanes to the old harbour. Drive past the Tusks on Moi Avenue and through the city centre. Half-day guests finish at Mama Ngina Waterfront around midday. Full-day guests break for a Swahili lunch, browse for spices and fabrics, and reach the waterfront for the late-afternoon breeze.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off within Mombasa, Nyali, Bamburi and Shanzu
- Air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Guided sightseeing as per the itinerary
- Fort Jesus entrance fee
Not included
- Lunch on the full-day tour
- Snacks, drinks and shopping
- Tips
Rates
| Option | Kenya resident (KES) | Non-resident (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Half-day, 2+ people | 5,500 | 55 |
| Half-day, solo private | 8,500 | 85 |
Per person sharing a double or twin room. Fort Jesus citizen child KES 300 / non-resident child USD 8. Children 3-11 at 50%; under 3 free.
Good to know
- Old Town is a living neighbourhood with mosques and homes. Shoulders and knees covered is respectful, and ask before photographing people.
- Wear comfortable shoes: Fort Jesus has steps and uneven stone, and Old Town is best seen on foot.
- Mombasa is hot and humid all year, so bring water, a hat and sunscreen.
- Pick-ups from Diani, Kilifi or the cruise terminal can be arranged on request.
Questions about this trip
How long does the Mombasa city tour take?
The half-day tour takes about four hours from pick-up to drop-off and covers Fort Jesus, Old Town, the Tusks and Mama Ngina Waterfront. The full-day tour runs for around seven to eight hours at a gentler pace, with time for lunch and shopping and an evening finish at the waterfront.
Is Fort Jesus worth visiting?
Yes. Fort Jesus is the best place to understand Mombasa's long history of trade and conflict between the Portuguese, the Omani Arabs and later the British. The thick coral walls, the views over the old harbour and the museum's finds from shipwrecks and coastal sites make it the natural starting point of any Mombasa tour.
Can I take this tour from Diani or the North Coast?
Yes. We collect guests from Diani, Kilifi and the wider North Coast with an adjusted pick-up time to allow for the drive. From Diani, the Dongo Kundu bypass or the Likoni ferry is used depending on traffic, and the extra transfer time is quoted when you book.
What should I wear for the tour?
Light, breathable clothes that cover your shoulders and knees are best, especially in Old Town, which is a conservative, mostly Muslim neighbourhood. Add comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses and a hat. A light scarf is useful for sun and for visiting religious sites. Nothing formal is needed.
Mombasa City Tour
Request to book
Tell us when and who's travelling. We check availability, then send a written quote with the total, the deposit and the due dates. Nothing to pay until you're happy with it.
You might also like
Similar trips
1 dayBookable in the UAE
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai Evening Desert Safari
Departs Dubai
FromUSD55per person sharing · ≈ KES 7,200