NYALI BEACH, MOMBASA

NYALI BEACH, NORTH COAST

The Beautiful Nyali Beach

Talk of the wonderful things found on the Coastal area of Mombasa and the first thing that to come one’s mind are the beautiful beaches of on the seashore of Indian Ocean.

Less Crowded Nature of the beach

Nyali Beach is amongst the best beaches in the North Coast. I would rank it among the top ten public beaches in Mombasa. It is mostly frequented because of its safety, nearness to the public roads and the beach itself it quite clean. Nyali Beach is less crowdie during morning hours. 

'Whitesands'

The beach is stunning, the sea out of this world, the colours are something you’ve never seen before, crystal clear. The ocean view in the morning as the sun rises and the ocean as the water hits the beach, oh my. Finding time to take a walk in the morning or late evening as the sun sets would be great.

Directions to Nyali Beach Hotel

The back of the beach is all lined with large palm trees, this is where some of the beach games took place. You could partake in beach volleyball, diving or taken right out to see by rowing boat or glass bottom. 

The heat is sometimes unbelievable just how you would expect it to be in such an area.

If you are on vacation, there are a number of well-known classy beachfront hotels one can book for an even more wonderful experience. They best include Voyager and Nyali Beach Hotel. 

Alongside the beach are coconut and fruit sellers who offer refreshments at affordable prices. One wouldn’t also miss to see sellers selling local artifacts further showcasing the national heritage of Kenya.

Dumbfounded by the awesomeness of the beach!!!

OLD TOWN, MOMBASA

Old Town

  

Inhabited by locals, Arabs, Asians, Portuguese and the British, the Old Town is next to the famous Fort Jesus. 

It is characterized by historical buildings from as far as the 18^th century. The old buildings and mosques have been preserved all around Fort Jesus and the old port. Perfect preserves earliest influenced by Mombasa’s trade and culture.

Entering Old Town

They are recognizable through the stylish balconies and well carved doors that one wouldn’t expect to see anywhere except the Old Town.

One would make a very big mistake by not popping into the many curio shops selling typical African artifacts. They are known for beautiful and unique woven items, hand crafted ones and antiques.

For the greatest experience, it would be wise to get yourself a tour guide whom you will definitely get a lot from. A genuine one that is.  

One of the Oldest Buildings

Interesting sites around the Old Town include Fort Jesus, Mombasa Club, Africa Hotel, Mazrui Graveyards, Mandhry Mosque, Old post Office, Old Port and Government square, Sanaa Gallery, Bohra Mosque, Leven House and steps, ‘Reitz house’, Site of an ancient Portuguese Church, Mombasa House, The ‘White house’, Lookmanji Curio shop, Ali’s Curio Market, Jubilee Hall, Old Law Court, Datoo’s Sale Rooms, Piggot Place, Basheikh Mosque, Treasury Square, Swahili Cultural Centre, Alien registration building and Mackinon Market.

Haller Park, Mombasa

FROM UNINHABITED LAND TO ‘EDEN’

Haller Park, Along Mombasa/Malindi Highway

Located along the Mombasa/Malindi highway, Haller Park is home to a variety of wildlife including giraffes, buffalos, antelopes not mentioning adorable small mammals and colourful birds. 

One would hardly believe that the park was at one time just some limestone quarry wasteland south of the Bamburi Cement Plant. No one except Dr. Rene Haller could sit down in the ‘70s and visualize that piece of land could turn out to be the paradise it is today. 

This Coastal Sanctuary includes a beautiful serene palm garden, reptile park, game sanctuary, fish farm demonstration area, giraffe viewing area and crocodile pens.

Walking along the trail gives one the ideal way to look at the lovely animals ranging from zebras, Sally and Potty the Hippos, Cape Buffalos, waterbucks, elands, Oryx, herons, egrets, little egret yellow-billed egret, tree ducks, kingfishers, Aldabra Tortoises and Vervet monkeys. 

For the brave at heart, you may get a chance to hold or feed a reptile such as a snake under close supervision of a guide. Feeding the giraffes is an experience you’d really want to give a try. Trust me. 

However, nothing in the sanctuary park can be as thrilling as watching salivating crocodiles jump out of the water to snatch meat from the overhead line. It feels as if you are watching the famous ‘Nat Geo Wild’ live. 

Arriving just before 3 pm will give you the chance to see the lovely animals being fed. Appreciating the beauty of nature one afternoon in a while would be a very pleasant thing.