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Mafia
Island
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Mombasa
is the second largest and only
coastal city and
subsequently, only port, in Kenya.
The Swahili and Arabic cultures
are predominant in Mombasa. Walking
through the Old Town, one will
come across winding narrow roads,
mosques and open air markets.
Bright colours, spicy scents and
an atmosphere of ancient mystique
will enthrall you. Over four hundred
years ago, the warm waters of
the Indian Ocean and the port
of Mombasa used to be a passageway
for the Arabian spice trade.
One
of the most internationally re-known
features in Mombasa is the Fort
Jesus. At the end of the 16th
Century, the Portuguese began
to construct the famous Fort Jesus,
which dominates the entrance of
the Mombasa Harbour. The Fort
is now a National monument and
Museum.
The
coastline of Mombasa is split
into the South and the North Coasts.
From both the South and North
coasts, there are further coastal
splits, which result in many quaint
coastal towns and excellent holiday
beaches. |
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Dar
es salaam
The gateway
to the North Coast is through
the main Mombasa Island. Mombasa
is accessible either by road,
by air or train. The North Coast
of Mombasa has many more hotels,
restaurants, shops, eateries,
bars and discos than the South
Coast, and is more populated.
Heading North
from Mombasa towards the Kilifi
direction, the resort beaches
are: Nyali, Bamburi, Vipingo,
Mtwapa, Shanzu and Kikambala.
Some of the
prime attractions on the North
Coast are: The Bamburi Nature
Trail (a wonderful nature trail
across land reclaimed from a cement
quarry), the Mamba Village (a
crocodile farm) and Bombolulu
Crafts (a handicrafts center whereby
all merchandise is made by disabled
people). In addition to this the
offshore reefs swarming with coral,
fish, dolphins and other aquatic
life, provide the perfect opportunity
for deep-sea fishing, scuba and
cave diving.
Recommended
hotels in the North Coast include:
The Nyali Beach Hotel, Reef Hotel,
Bamburi Beach Hotel, Whitesands
Hotel, the Mombasa Serena Beach
Hotel, Club Sun and Sand, Voyager
Beach Resort. |
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Zanzibar
The
South Coast of Mombasa is a tropical
paradise. Warm sea water, soft
white sand, tropical forests,
the best beach resorts, spectacular
coral reefs, amazing water sports…
In order to get to the South Coast
of Mombasa, one has to cross the
Likoni Ferry from the North Coast
and the journey takes approximately
10 minutes. There are some amazing
beach resorts, hotels and holiday
homes on the South Coast, the
majority of which are constructed
along the Diani stretch of Beach
– definitely one of the
best stretches of beach
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