Mombasa is East Africa’s biggest harbor.
FAST FACTS
Mombasa was formerly called “mvita” for all the wars fought there, from the early ADs right up to the beginning of the 19th century, by everyone wanting to conquer the best natural harbor between Europe and the far East. The most famous land mark is the 16th century fort Jesus built by Portuguese overlooking the harbor. Fort Jesus is a world heritage site. Others are the remarkable British Colonial architecture, the protected old town with fine examples of Swahili and Indian city houses, the historical mandry mosque and the sikh temple.
History of Mombasa:
Historically, Mombasa was the entry point for British colonial rule and Christian missionaries. Also, Mombasa has a multitude of religious and ethnic communities.
Getting Mombasa:
Head out of South coast to the city Island of Mombasa via the Likoni ferry across kilindinihabour.
What to do:
While you are at the Fort, check out the activities of friends of fort jesus. This dynamic group of citizens organizes regular bird walks, local tours and talks to do with archaeological digs, historical findings and natural history. Stepping out of the Fort, take a leisurely stroll the old stone town.
The narrow alleys are a remnant of the medieval days of Mombasa, when sea faring traders came in their wooden dhows and set up home in the sultanate, famed for its wealthy citizens who were fabrics in laid with gold and precious stones. The traders built fine stones houses complete with balconies and historical wooden carved doors. These magnificent doors, at least the ones built before the 1940’s are gazetted and are found along the entire East African coast. Research shows that the origin of carvers can be traced through the carving.