Mombasa Excursions
KASM 001
HALF DAY MOMBASA TOWN TRAIL
The
colourful island town of Mombasa with its blend
of ancient and modern buildings on the Indian Ocean, is Kenya’s
principal port and the country’s second largest city. A comprehensive tour of the island includes
the Old Arab
Town, with its maze of narrow twisting
alleys displaying the beautifully carved doors and Arab verandahs, bazaars with
curio and antique shops, the Dhow harbour still in use, a Hindu Temple,
a visit to the Akamba wood carvers and a drive to the bazaar for a short
shopping expedition. The highlight of
the tour is probably the visit to Fort
Jesus. Built in 1593 by the Portuguese to guard the
entrance to the Old Dhow harbour, it is the island’s landmark. Four hundred years old, the fort still stands
and serves as a historical museum.
KASM 002
HALF DAY COASTAL CULTURAL TRAIL (BUSH TOUR)
The coastal countryside and its people offer a different perspective to Kenya’s tribal heritage. The tour provides a glimpse into the traditions and cultures of the coastal people with a visit to a Giriama or Digo Village with our local guide. Continue to Kaloleni to visit the local market and thereafter drive to Kenya Marineland on the North coast which offers an opportunity to observe numerous species of tropical marine life in giant aquariums. A snake park, situated nearby is also visited and you can watch carvers at work producing the famous “Makonde” pieces of art.
KASM 003
HALF DAY SHIMBA HILLS TRAIL
The Shimba Hills are a short drive from Mombasa. South of the Island, they are reached via the Likoni Ferry and are over a thousand feet high which offers one a view of both the Indian Ocean and the African bush. Rare animals like the Roan and Sable antelopes are seen in this area besides elephants, buffalos and a wide variety of bird life.
KASM 004
FULL DAY MALINDI AND GEDI TRAILS
Depart from your coastal hotel and drive north to Kilifi through attractive country covered by extensive sisal plantations dotted with huge baobab trees. Cross the scenic creek and continue onto the ancient city of Gedi – a 13th century ruin in the heart of a dense forest. Thereafter proceed onto the coastal town of Malindi for lunch and an exploration of the marine park in a glass bottomed boat where you are taken goggling by an experienced guide. Later visit the nearby village and watch the Giriama tribe perform exciting tribal dances before driving back to Mombasa by sundown.
KASM 005
FULL DAY – CITY TOUR AND NATURE TRAIL
A comprehensive morning tour of the island including a visit to Fort Jesus is followed by lunch at Mamba Village. Mamba is the Swahili name for crocodile and this “village: is really a crocodile farm. Depart after lunch for the Bamburi Quarry Nature Trail. The wasteland of the stone quarry has been reclaimed and amongst the casuarinas trees and other tropical flora reside a variety of wildlife and birds. Eland and buffalo, crocodiles and other reptiles can be seen wandering with crowned cranes. The commercially viable aquaculture complex is also visited.
KASM 006
TAMARIND DHOW SAFARI
A 12.00 pm or 6.30 pm departure from the Tamarind jetty for the lunch cruise or evening cruise respectively. After a welcome cocktail the Tamarind Dhow Nawalicker (meaning Gateway to Heaven) cruises past the Old Town and Fort Jesus. Fantastic seafood meals prepared by the world famous Tamarind Restaurant are enjoyed while a local band plays music to suit all tastes. A tri-lingual guide, fully stocked bar and friendly service all add to the unforgettable atmosphere. 2.45 pm or 10.30 pm return to the jetty and thereafter your hotel.
KASM 007
TSAVO EAST TRAIL
Before sunrise depart from Mombasa and proceed in the direction of Nairobi for about 115kms arriving at the Bachuma gate where you enter the east section of the Tsavo National Park – Kenya’s largest game sanctuary famed for it’s huge herds of elephants. It is also home to lion, rhino, giraffe and zebra as well as a variety of other smaller game. You will see water birds at home on the Aruba Dam on your way to Voi Safari Lodge where lunch will be served. Good photographs of a variety of animals that come to drink at the waterhole in front of the lodge may be taken. After lunch proceed on a game drive returning to Mombasa in the early evening.
KASM 008
FULL DAY TAITA HILLS TRAIL
An early morning drive, 2 ½ hours from Mombasa, brings you to the game sanctuary at Taita Hills. In this sanctuary you will enjoy a game drive where cheetah and lion may be seen as well as herds of elephants. Lunch will be served at the Taita Hills Lodge after which the tour departs for Mombasa arriving in the late afternoon.
KASM 009
WASINI ISLAND AND KISITE
Depart from the Shimoni (the Place of Caves) jetty at 9.00 am aboard a converted Lamu dhow and sail for the Kisite Marine National Park. Snorkel along a fringing reef of Kisite Island and marvel at the coral and shoals of fish. A seafood lunch is had at an Arab restaurant on Wasini Island. Wasini Village is a true fishing community with strong Arab and coastal influences. Guests should wear suitable attire so as not to offend your hosts. Masks and snorkels are provided on the dhow. However sun protection, sandals or tennis shoes and cover up dress or sarong should be taken along.
KASM 009
TSAVO AND SALTLICK TRAIL
DAY ONE: Depart in the morning and drive inland to the eastern section of the Tsavo National Park. A game drive through the park and a visit to Aruba Dam follows a network of tracks to look and allow for photographs of the wildlife. Lunch is taken at Voi Safari Lodge and thereafter continue to Salt Lick Lodge, set high above a floodlit waterhole. The constant stream of animal visitors can be viewed from the comfort of the roof top terrace well into the night. The night is spent at the Salt Lick Lodge.
DAY TWO: After breakfast proceed on a game drive entering the Taita Hills Game Sanctuary arriving at the Taita Hills Lodge in time for lunch. After lunch return to Mombasa which is reached in the late afternoon.
KASM 011
EVENING CRUISE OLD PORT DHOW/FORT JESUS/SOUNDS & LIGHTS SHOW/DINNER
A romantic dhow sundowner cruise along the shores of the picturesque island of Mombasa, starts off an enchanting evening not to be missed. As darkness set in, we dock at the private jetty and proceed to Fort Jesus. “Arab and Portuguese” men, bearing fire torches, guard the entrance of the fort, constructed by the Portuguese in the 16th century – the venue for sound and light – and presentation of the turbulent history of the East Africa Coast. A “candalabra’ lit setting”, creates the atmosphere for a unique dinner served within the fortess by waiters in Portuguese attire. Following this feast, you can return to your hotel, or , at an early request, continue with the evening’s program to the casino and the Bora Bora Night Club for the spectacule midnight show, after which you return to your hotel.
Please Note: If you participate in the full night program, gents are requested to wear long trousers (Casino + Nightclub) and children under 18 years are not allowed access to the casino and nightclub.
KASM 012
At 06.30 pm departure from the Tamarind jetty for evening cruise after a welcome cocktail the Tamarind Dhow Nawalicker (meaning gateway to heaven) cruises past the old town and Fort Jesus. Fantastic see food meals prepared by the world famous Tamarind Restaurant are enjoyed while a local band plays music to suit all taste. A tri-lingual guide, fully stocked bar and friendly service all add to the unforgettable atmosphere at 10.30pm return to the jetty and transfer to Bora Bora Night Club.
KASM 013
Your day begins when you are collected form your hotel and driven to Shimoni, the place of the cave. You will see the cave estimated to be 35 kms long, which was used by Arabs slave traders before shipment to Zanzibar where they were sold at auction. The Arab style dhow departs Shimoni Jetty at around 08.30 a.m . returning approximately 4.30 pm. A welcome tea, coffee and biscuits with tour briefing and individual assessments on the competency and equipments awaits you.
Enjoy a fascination guided snorkeling or diving safari in the famous Kisite Marine Park. Kisite’s extensive reef system is home to dolphins, turtles, over 350 species of vibrantly coloured tropical fish, and an exciting variety of coral life.Dolphins are seen nearly every day and between August and October humpback whale passes through the Marine Park. Often as we snorkel along the edge of the reef, Dolphins come and join us. Snorkelling is followed by the exhilarating experience of a dhow under sail, weather permitting, on the way to Wasini Island for a memorable seafood lunch.
KASM 101
TSAVO EAST & SALT LICK TRAIL
DAY 1: Depart in the morning and drive inland to the eastern side of Tsavo National Park. Lunch is taken at Voi Safari Lodge and thereafter you continue to Saltlick Lodge, set high above the floodlit waterhole.
DAY 2: Breakfast is followed by a game drive entering the Taita Hills Game Sanctuary, arriving at Taita Hills Lodge in time for lunch. After lunch return to Mombasa arriving late afternoon.
