Car Hire Mombasa

Mombasa Mini Guide

The city of Mombasa is the second biggest in Kenya and has a combined city and urban populous of approximately 1.4 million. Mombasa is now an extremely popular tourist destination and has a well developed international airport and seaport for access. The harbour is Kenya's only seaport and is naturally formed. The city is located on Mombassa Island, the island is then connected to the mainland by Nyali Bridge and also operates a ferry transport for people and cars.

Although Mombasa is considered a central hub of tourism it does not have many developed tourist attractions. Most International visitors will arrive at Moi International Airport. While visiting it is worth stopping at the Old Town for some souvenir shopping and also Fort Jesus. Most visitors coming to Mombasa city stay only briefly before securing their car hire Mombasa and travelling to their further destination however you can find beautiful beaches of Nyali, Bamburi, Shanzu and Kenyatta North of the island that cater for tourists and are reasonably priced.

The population of Mombasa is a combination of Muslim and Swahili. Local women can be seen wearing the colourful cotton sheet dress known as a kanga while the Muslim women can be seen wearing a Bui Bui head cover. In preparing for your visit you should pack for a warm tropical climate and depending on the season you can expect sunny days and high temperatures.

Mombasa is the centre of the Kenyan tourism industry but most of the resorts are south and north of the city. Most tourists overlook the charms of the city itself but if you’ve hired a car, the city is within easy reach of the resorts and you’ll be able to visit its most famous attraction, Fort Jesus.

The name is ironic for this was the holding point for the slaves captured in the hinterland before sending them on ships around the empire. Visitors can see the cramped cells and look at the horrific torture machinery used on difficult slaves.