Mombasa Intl. Airport (MBA)

Mombasa is the second largest city in Kenya. Laying next to the Indian Ocean, it has a major port and an international airport. The city also serves as the centre of the coastal tourism industry. The town is also the headquarters of Mombasa District, which, like most other districts in Kenya, is named after its chief town.

The city is located on Mombasa Island, which is separated from the mainland by two creeks: Tudor Creek and Kilindini Harbour. The island is connected to the mainland to the north by the Nyali Bridge, to the south by the Likoni Ferry and to the west by the Makupa Causeway, alongside which runs the Uganda Railway. The port serves both Kenya and countries of the interior, linking them to the Ocean. The town is served by Moi International Airport.

The town is mainly occupied by the Muslim Mijikenda/Swahili people. Over the centuries, there have been many immigrants and traders who settled in Mombasa, particularly from Iran, the Middle East, Somalia and the Indian sub-continent, who came mainly as traders and skilled craftsmen. Even after four or five generations, their descendants continue to contribute highly to the economy of present day Mombasa and Kenya as a whole.

Traditional dress for the Swahili women is a brightly coloured, printed cotton sheet called a kanga, which may have inspirational slogans printed on it. Muslim women wear a covering known as a bui bui, that is traditionally black, along with a head covering called a hijaab, and sometimes wear a veil called a nikab. Men wear a type of sarong, which is coloured in bright bands, called a kikoi. Mombasa is the centre of coastal tourism in Kenya.

Mombasa island itself is not a main attraction, although many people visit Old Town and Fort Jesus. North of Mombasa Island are Nyali, Kenyatta, Bamburi, and Shanzu beaches. South of the town, there are Shelly, Tiwi, and Diani beaches. Several luxury hotels exist on these beaches, while most of cheaper beach hotels are located farther away from the town.

Other local industries include an oil refinery and the Bamburi Cement factory.

hoppa offers shuttle transfers in Mombasa.

Airport information

  • Address:Mombasa Intl. Airport (MBA)MombasaCoast ProvinceKenya
  • Currency: USD