Overview
Mombasa is the second largest city in Kenya and the capital of Mombasa County. It’s on the east coast of Kenya, along the Indian Ocean, and has a population of 1,389,000 (2022), with an average growth of 3.4% annually.
Mombasa town is 488 km from Nairobi. The road trip from Nairobi to Mombasa takes about 8 hours and 35 minutes. Alternatively, you can board the SGR, which takes about 4 hours.
Most business and leisure travelers to Mombasa opt for domestic flights from JKIA (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi), which take about one hour. Besides Masai Mara National Reserve, Mombasa is Kenya’s most popular tourist destination for local and international travelers.
The city’s perfect blend of Arabia, India, Africa, and its rich culture can be intoxicating. If you want to spark a conversation with us (the locals), just smile and say “Jambo or Habari yako,” both of which are Swahili greetings that equate to “How are you doing.”
The visitor will respond by saying ‘Sijambo or Muzuri Sana respectively,” meaning (I am fine) – the locals get excited when a tourist greets them in their language. It’s the best way to broach a conversation.
