Full Day Mombasa City Tour: Fort Jesus, markets & wildlife

Walk Fort Jesus and the old town's narrow streets, then watch crocodiles feed at Mamba Village

A full-day guided tour of Mombasa explores the city's layered history and wildlife in one itinerary. Start in the old town with Fort Jesus, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, then move through cobblestone streets and bustling markets before lunch at Tamarind restaurant overlooking the sea. The afternoon shifts to Haller Park's game sanctuary and giraffe platform, ending at Mamba Village where crocodiles are fed daily at 5 pm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Haller Park2h · entry included
2. Fort Jesus2h · entry included

Explore Mombasa's culture and wildlife

• Pick up from hotel
• Visit Old Town and Fort Jesus
• Walk cobbled streets and markets
• Drive through Elephant Tusks on Moi Avenue
• Visit Akamba woodcarvers workshop
• Lunch at Tamarind Restaurant or Dhow
• Visit Haller Park wildlife sanctuary
• Tour Mamba Village Crocodile Farm
• Drop off at hotel

The experience

Your guide picks you up from your hotel early in the morning and heads straight to the old town, where the architecture and street layout date back to 200 AD. Fort Jesus sits on a coral ridge at the harbor entrance, built to protect Portuguese settlers and later used as barracks between 1837 and 1895. The fort's long history includes Omani Arab attacks from 1696 to 1698. From there, you walk down narrow cobbled streets past ancient mosques and residential houses with overhanging balconies, moving through markets filled with spices, fruit and fabrics. At the Akamba woodcarvers on Moi Avenue, you watch craftspeople at work and can buy handmade souvenirs.

Lunch happens at Tamarind restaurant or on an Arab dhow overlooking the sea, depending on group size. The menu includes seafood, non-seafood and vegetarian options. The afternoon takes you to Haller Park, a reforested former quarry that now holds hippos, giraffes, buffalos, antelopes, crocodiles and smaller mammals across a game sanctuary, reptile park, fish farm demonstration area, palm garden and giraffe viewing platform. The park draws over 160,000 visitors yearly and protects rare and endangered coastal forest plants.

The day ends at Mamba Village Crocodile Farm, where crocodiles range from newborns to giant specimens. The feeding happens daily at 5 pm, when the crocodiles jump several meters from their pools to grab meat. After this, your guide returns you to your hotel.

What’s included

• Local guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language.
• bottled water.
• air-conditioned vehicle with driver.
• hotel pickup and return.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30 and 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Youth (8 to 11 years) · Child (3 to 7 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Paid on siteUS$ 50

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Kenya Bush Expeditions Tour and Travel

Is this one for you?The 10-hour itinerary packs old town history, markets, lunch and two afternoon wildlife sites into one day, so you get Mombasa's cultural and natural sides without splitting your time across separate bookings. Hotel pickup means no arranging transport between stops.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 11 years); Child (3 to 7 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is Fort Jesus and why was it built there?

Fort Jesus was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century on a coral ridge at the harbor entrance to secure the safety of Portuguese settlers on the East African coast. It later served as barracks for soldiers between 1837 and 1895 and has a long history of conflict, including Omani Arab attacks from 1696 to 1698.

Can I see animals at Haller Park, and what kinds are there?

Haller Park holds hippos, giraffes, buffalos, antelopes, crocodiles and smaller mammals and birds across a game sanctuary, reptile park and other zones. The park also features a giraffe viewing platform and a small fish farm demonstration area.

What happens at Mamba Village and when?

Mamba Village Crocodile Farm houses crocodiles at all life stages, from newborns to giant specimens. Feeding time is daily at 5 pm, when the crocodiles jump several meters from their pools to grab meat.

Where is lunch and what are the options?

Lunch is at Tamarind restaurant or on an Arab dhow overlooking the sea. If the group reaches a minimum of 20 people, lunch is served on the dhow. Otherwise it's at the restaurant. Both serve seafood, non-seafood and vegetarian options.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes a local guide, bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle and driver, plus hotel pickup and drop-off. Entrance fees to attractions are not included. Souvenir photos are available to purchase separately.