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MOMBASA SHORT
EXCURSIONS
JTSEM-1:mombasa
city tour:
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 include
the old Arab town, with it’s maze of narrow
twisting alleys displaying the beautifully
curved doors and 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 high light 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 port still
stands and serves as a historical museum.
JTSEM-2: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 Marine land 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.
JTSEM-3:shimba
hills/mwaluganje elephant sanctuary:
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. A visit to the MES is highly recommended
and is located about 30 minutes from the
glistening beaches of south coast. At MES you
will experience a unique safari in a spectacular
landscape. Elephants here never forget. Like
them, you’ll always remember Mwaluganje. MES’s
60,000 acres feature dramatic cliffs and
forested hills as well as bush land with baobabs
– all striking for the wildlife. Apart from the
elephant, you might see warthog, impala,
bushbuck, sable, Cape buffalo and leopard.
JTSEM-4:malindi
and gedi tour:
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 an
experienced guide takes you on goggling and
snorkelling. Later, visit a nearby village and
watch the Giriama tribe perform exciting tribal
dances before driving back to Mombasa by sundown
JTSEM-5:bamburi
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.
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