Mombasa

The largest city on Kenya’s coastline of the Indian Ocean, which stretches for over 480Km, Mombasa, with its bustling and winding narrow alleys in its historic Arab Old Town, or its landmark structure- the old Portuguese Fort Jesus, or its eclectic mix of colonial buildings reminiscent of the British influence on the formation of the city, and later, of Kenya, as a country, is one of the most vibrant and dynamic cities in Africa.

For hundreds of years, it lured traders, missionaries and explorers from as far away as China, Portugal, Holland, and Arabia, who were all eager to access the mainland through this natural gateway to the world. The moonsoon winds-driven traditional dhows - wooden boats with triangular sails - still sail in the waters as they have done for millennia between the east coast of Africa, Arabia and India. Most of the coastline is protected by coral reefs, which give birth to the long stretches of snow-white sandy beaches occasionally interrupted by river creeks. Snorkelling and water sports, such as scuba diving, big game fishing, sailing and windsurfing are popular pastimes at the beach. The long, sunny days mean that sunbathing and relaxing on the beaches are possible throughout the year.

Mombasa, 500km by road from Nairobi, is linked to the Capital City via a new 5-hours' Standard Gauge Railway or an hour's flight.