Time to disembark!! Get into East Africa's ultimate heritage town, where your cruise ship's modern elegance meets Mombasa's 1,000-year history. With a rich history carved by adventure seekers, spice traders, and ocean explorers. This coastal city delivers what every traveler craves: authentic cultural magic without sacrificing creature comforts.
Your Mombasa adventure spans centuries. From Fort Jesus mysteries through UNESCO-protected stone corridors of the Old Town that echo with Portuguese, Arab, and British conquest tales. Between traditional dhow cruises and Old Town treasure hunts, you'll taste why Swahili cuisine conquered the East African Coast.
Every carefully choreographed excursion maximizes your shore time while respecting your cruise schedule.
1. Shimba Hills National Reserve & Sheldrick Falls Day Trip
Overview
Shimba Hills National Reserve spans 300 square kilometers of coastal forest and grassland, situated 33km southwest of Mombasa. This unique ecosystem offers a refreshing escape from the coastal heat with temperatures averaging 5-8°C cooler than Mombasa. The reserve is Kenya's only protected habitat for the endangered Sable antelope and serves as a crucial corridor for elephant migration between Tsavo and the coast.
Typical Itinerary:
- Early morning pick-up from Mombasa hotels (5:30–7:00 AM)
- 2-hour drive to Shimba Hills
- Morning game drive in the reserve (spotting Sable antelope, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, impala, warthogs, and more)
- Guided hike to Sheldrick Falls (with a ranger, through forest and grassland)
- Lunch at Shimba Hills Lodge (tree-top hotel with waterhole views)
- Afternoon game drive or visit to Elephant Lookout
- Return to Mombasa by late afternoon (4:30–5:30 PM)
Duration:
10–12 hours (full day)
2. Tsavo East 1-Day Safari
Overview
Tsavo East National Park covers 13,747 square kilometers, making it one of the world's largest national parks. Established in 1948, it's famous for the legendary "Man-Eaters of Tsavo" lions and its distinctive red elephants, colored by the park's iron-rich soil. The park represents a classic African savannah ecosystem with semi-arid landscapes, seasonal rivers, and diverse wildlife concentrations.
Typical Itinerary:
- Early morning departure (around 5:00–6:00 AM)
- 3-hour drive to Tsavo East (Bachuma Gate)
- Morning and midday game drives (visit Aruba Dam, Mudanda Rock, and other hotspots)
- Lunch at a safari lodge or camp inside the park
- Afternoon game drive
- Return to Mombasa by evening
Duration:
12–14 hours (full day)
3. Wasini Island Day Tour
Overview
Wasini Island lies in the Shimoni Channel, 5km offshore from Shimoni village. This coral island, part of the ancient Swahili trading network, offers pristine marine biodiversity within Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park. The 39-square-kilometer marine reserve protects critical coral reef ecosystems, seagrass beds, and serves as a crucial breeding ground for marine life.
Typical Itinerary:
- Early morning pick-up (6:00–7:00 AM)
- 2-hour drive to Shimoni
- Board a traditional dhow for a cruise to Kisite Marine Park
- Dolphin spotting, snorkeling, and swimming in coral reefs
- Visit Wasini Island village, walk through mangroves
- Seafood lunch (often crab, fish, and Swahili dishes)
- Return to Mombasa by late afternoon
Duration:
10–12 hours (full day)
4. Funzi Island Day Trip
Overview
Funzi Island represents Kenya's most pristine and undeveloped island experience. Located where the Ramisi River meets the Indian Ocean, this 6-kilometer-long island features untouched beaches, extensive mangrove forests, and traditional Digo fishing communities living sustainably for centuries. The destination offers authentic cultural immersion combined with unique ecosystems.
Typical Itinerary:
Early morning pick-up (6:00–7:00 AM)
- 1.5–2 hour drive to Bodo village
- Motorized canoe trip through Ramisi River mangroves (birdwatching, crocodile spotting)
- Visit Funzi sandbank for swimming and sunbathing
- Explore Funzi village and interact with locals
- Seafood lunch on the island
- Return to Mombasa by late afternoon
Duration:
10–12 hours (full day)
5. Mombasa City Tour
Overview
Mombasa, Kenya's second-largest city, represents over 2,000 years of continuous settlement at the crossroads of Africa, Arabia, Persia, and India. This UNESCO World Heritage site showcases Swahili civilization's evolution through Portuguese, Omani, British colonial, and modern Kenyan periods. The tour provides deep cultural immersion, historical education, and authentic local experiences.
Typical Itinerary:
- Morning or afternoon pick-up
- Visit Fort Jesus Museum
- Walk through Old Town (Swahili architecture, markets, mosques)
- Visit the famous Mombasa Tusks, Mackinnon Market, and Akamba Handicraft Cooperative
- Optional: Haller Park (nature reserve with giraffes, hippos, and reptiles)
- Return to port/hotel
Duration:
10–12 hours (full day)
6. Tamarind Dhow Cruise
Overview
The Tamarind Dhow represents Mombasa's most sophisticated dining experience, combining traditional Arabian sailing vessel ambiance with world-class cuisine and entertainment. Operating since 1985, this floating restaurant cruises Tudor Creek's calm waters, offering panoramic views of Mombasa's skyline, mangrove forests, and coastal lighting while providing an unforgettable cultural and culinary journey.
Typical Itinerary:
- Evening pick-up (5:30–6:00 PM)
- Board the Tamarind Dhow at Tudor Creek
- Welcome cocktail and canapés
- 2–3 hour cruise with a 4-course seafood (or vegetarian) dinner
- Live band and dancing on board
- Return to port/hotel by 9:30–10:00 PM
Duration:
3–4 hours (evening)
