Mombasa · Kenya
Mombasa Tours & Things to Do
Discover the best Mombasa tours and things to do on Kenya’s tropical coast: safari for the Big Five in Tsavo East and West, explore the historic old town and Fort Jesus, relax on the white sands of Diani Beach, snorkel the coral of Kisite Marine Park, and cruise the creek on a traditional dhow. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
365 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Good for families in Mombasa
Children can join from a young age and pay less than adults — taken from each operator’s price list.
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Explore Mombasa by interest
Whatever brings you to Mombasa — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
What to see
Top attractions in Mombasa
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Tsavo Park
Red elephants.
60+ toursView tours
Fort Jesus
Portuguese fort.
30 toursView tours
Marine Park
Coral snorkel.
30 toursView tours
Haller Park
Giraffes.
20 toursView tours
Dhow Cruise
Sunset sail.
20 toursView tours
Old Town
Swahili doors.
30 toursView tours
Diani Beach
White sand.
30 toursView tours
Wasini Island
Dolphins.
20 toursView tours
3 days
Mombasa in 3 days
- 1Day 1: city & Fort Jesus
- 2Day 2: Tsavo safari
- 3Day 3: marine park
- 4Beach
2.5 hr awayTsavo East
Big Five safari.
from €120View trips
1 hr awayDiani Beach
White sand.
from €45View trips
Day trip awayKisite Park
Snorkel & dolphins.
from €70View trips
City awayFort Jesus
Historic fort.
from €25View trips
30 min awayHaller Park
Feed giraffes.
from €30View trips
Creek awayDhow Cruise
Sunset sail.
from €40View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Mombasa visitor asks before booking.
Dry (Jan–Feb)
Hot, sunny and dry — great for beaches and safaris.
Dry (Jun–Oct)
Warm, drier and ideal for safaris and the coast.
Long rains (Mar–May)
Hot, humid and wettest.
Short rains (Nov–Dec)
Warm with brief showers.
For safaris
The dry seasons are best for Tsavo game viewing.
Best overall
June to October and January–February are ideal.
One day
The old town and a beach.
Two days
Add a Tsavo safari.
Three days
Add a marine-park snorkel.
For safari
Tsavo East and West.
For the beach
Diani and the marine parks.
With kids
Haller Park and the beach.
Tours & transfers
Guided tours are easiest for safaris and marine parks.
Taxis & tuk-tuks
Taxis and tuk-tuks are handy for local trips.
Likoni ferry
The ferry links the island to the south coast and Diani.
SGR train
The SGR train connects Mombasa with Nairobi.
Where to stay
Stay on the north coast, Diani or in the old town.
Shilling
Kenya uses the shilling; US dollars are also accepted.
Book safaris
Tsavo safaris sell out — reserve ahead.
Sun & heat
It’s hot and humid — bring sunscreen, a hat and water.
Bring swimwear
Wear swimwear for marine-park and beach trips.
Try Swahili food
Sample coconut-spiced seafood, biryani and samosas.
Stay aware
Keep valuables secure in busy markets and use trusted taxis.
Dry season
Visit in the dry months for the best safari and beach weather.
Tsavo safaris
Big Five safaris sell out — book ahead.
Marine parks
Kisite snorkel trips fill up — reserve early.
Diani day trips
Beach and boat trips book out — reserve ahead.
City tours
Fort Jesus and old-town tours fill up in season.
Dhow cruises
Sunset dinner cruises have limited spots — book early.
High season
Dry seasons are busiest — book everything ahead.
Tsavo safari
Around $120–200 for a day safari with transport.
Marine park
About $60–100 for a Kisite snorkel and dolphin trip.
City & Fort Jesus
Roughly $25–50 for a city and old-town tour.
Haller Park
Around $25–45 for a Haller Park visit.
Dhow cruise
About $40–70 for a sunset dinner dhow cruise.
How to save
Join group safaris and combine the city with a beach day.
When to visit
Mombasa through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Dry (Jan–Feb)
Jan–Feb
- Best for
- Beach & safari.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Hot.
Long rains (Mar–May)
Mar–May
- Best for
- Green & quiet.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Wettest.
Dry (Jun–Oct)
Jun–Oct
- Best for
- Prime safari.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Best.
Short rains (Nov–Dec)
Nov–Dec
- Best for
- Warm, brief showers.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Good.
People also ask
Mombasa travel FAQ
What are the best tours in Mombasa?
The highest-rated experiences are a Tsavo Big Five safari, an old-town and Fort Jesus tour, a Diani Beach day, a Kisite marine-park snorkel, and a Haller Park wildlife visit.
What should I book in advance in Mombasa?
Reserve Tsavo safaris, marine-park trips and Diani day trips ahead, especially in the dry high season.
How many days do I need in Mombasa?
One day covers the city and a beach, two add a Tsavo safari, and three let you enjoy the marine parks.
Is Mombasa worth visiting?
Yes — Mombasa blends white-sand beaches, coral reefs and Swahili history with easy access to Tsavo’s Big Five safaris.
When is the best time to visit Mombasa?
The dry seasons (June to October and January–February) offer the best weather for safaris and beaches.
Can you do a safari from Mombasa?
Yes — Tsavo East and West are the closest parks, offering Big Five game drives on day or overnight safaris.
Is Mombasa good for families?
Yes — Haller Park, calm beaches and a Tsavo safari make it a great family destination.
365 Mombasa experiencesfrom $35 · free cancellation
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