About Mombasa

Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads, Airports, Climate & National Monuments in Mombasa County

Geography of Mombasa County

The Indian Ocean and its healthful shoreline are arguably the most prominent features of Mombasa County, Kenya’s smallest county. Mombasa covers a land area of just 229 km2, with 65 km2 of water mass; 200 nautical miles seawards. Mombasa County has about 300 hectares of natural forest cover and it hosts three salient mangrove forests managed by Kenya Forests Service.  Generally speaking, the landscape of Mombasa County can be categorized into three: 1. The coastal plain, covering parts of South Coast and the Island; 2. The hilly areas that rise gently from 45 ms to 132 ms asl in the western parts of the county and parts of Changamwe and the North Coast areas; 3. The Indian Ocean and the shoreline.

Land Use in Mombasa County

Mombasa County has many land uses; for instance, there is a commercial centre, various residential areas where people live, two harbours, industrial area and so on. Each separate land use and function tends to concentrate in a particular part of the city and this is true, not only of Mombasa, but of all towns. Old Town is located near the old Mosque and Fort Jesus, as illustrated earlier. In the southern part of the island there is a residential area for the richer class in society. It is also the location of State House and Mombasa Golf Club. Immediately to the west of Fort Jesus is the administrative area. The centre of the island is covered by a close network of roads that serve the main residential and commercial areas. In the north-east and the mainland are many residential area and satisfactory resorts, but the houses here are spread about the suburbia areas of Nyali and Bamburi.  

Highlights in Mombasa County

Owing to its unique geography and history, Mombasa County is a very popular and marketed touring destination in Kenya. There are no less than 200 registered hotels and lodges in Mombasa County with a capacity of about 8000 beds with an average annually occupancy of 64%.  Mombasa is also the unofficial capital of the Coast Region of Kenya, serving as a jumping-off place for much of the coast.

Population in Mombasa County

The average population density for Mombasa County based on the 2009 national census was 6,131 people per km2, estimated to rise to 6,646 people per km2 by 2017. This translates to a total population of about 1,051,825 up from 939,370 in 2009. The densely populated areas in Mombasa County are Nyali, Changamwe and Mvita, thanks to the developed infrastructure and access to employment opportunities. The youthful population (between 24 to 35 years) comprises 41% of the total populace and accounts for approximately 61% of Mombasa’s work force. 

Airports in Mombasa County

Mombasa County is served by Moi International Airport, Kenya’s second busiest airport, with numerous flights from Nairobi, Kisumu, Eldoret, Malindi, Ukunda and Lamu. Some international airlines increasing in number land directly at Mombasa.

Roads in Mombasa County

Mombasa County has a total of 257 km of bitumen roads, 129 km of gravel roads and 91 km of earth type, all-weather roads. Despite a good road coverage, the roads in and around the city were designed for low traffic capacity resulting in congestion during peak hours, but adequate plan to build new bypasses and routes that decongest its traffic are underway. Still, most drivers are courteous.

Climate in Mombasa County

May is generally the wettest month, followed by April and June. These months from the season of the Long Rains; this rain is brought by the early part of the south-east Monsoon. As the northern summer begins, a low pressure system builds up over north-west India. Eventually, this becomes strong enough to draw in winds from south of the equator. It is these winds, on their way to India, which bring rainfall to Mombasa at this time. Near the end of the year there’s another wet season, known as the Short Rains, because it only fills the months of October and November. These rains are brought by the early north-east Monsoon, which comes from India, and is on its way towards southern Africa. Mombasa’s average monthly temperatures are always high rarely falling below 24oC. The annual range of temperature is low, 4oC. The reason for this is because Mombasa is so near the equator, the sun is always high in the sky, giving hot weather with no cool season. 

National Monuments in Mombasa County

  1. Bwana Tamu
  2. Kisauni Bell Tower
  3. Mbaraki Pillar
  4. Old Law Courts
  5. Old Town Mombasa
  6. Mama Ngina Drive
  7. Leven House
  8. Mombasa Golf Club
  9. Trumpet Metal
  10. Trumpet Ivory
  11. Old Watch Towers
  12. Jumaa Mosque
  13. Luziwa
  14. Riadha Uwani
  15. Bwana Shali Patani
  16. Pillar Tomb
  17. Fort Jesus
  18. Sante de Tanna Wreck
  19. Ras Mtandanda Mosque
  20. Castle Hotel
  21. Holy Ghost Cathedral
  22. St. Emmanuel Church
  23. Babu Motors
  24. Kilindini House
  25. Ivory House
  26. Issar Thawar House
  27. Mombasa Dispensary
  28. Central Police Station
  29. District Officer’s Office
  30. Anglican Cathedral
  31. Mackinnon Market
  32. Alidina Visram School
  33. Gridlay’s Bank
  34. National Bank, Mombasa
  35. Shekh Mwinyime House

Well-famous for its rich Swahili culture, stunning beaches, and vibrant nightlife – acclaimed as one of the top destinations in Kenya – Mombasa County is home to Mombasa City, Kenya’s second-largest city and a primary port town that has been a key trade center for centuries. Mombasa County is more than just beaches—it’s a cultural melting pot with history, adventure, and guaranteed coastal vibes.

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80 Destinations in Mombasa County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north then east - with the aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:

Arab Rifle's Monument, Buli Monument, Fort Jesus Curio Shop, Camel Joint, Old Town Mombasa, Fort Jesus Museum I World Heritage Site, Mombasa Butterfly House, Santo Antonio de Tanna, Swahili Cultural Center, Sanaa Gallery, Old Port Mombasa, Leven House I Steps, Forodhani Restaurant, The Mandhry Mosque, Burhani Mosque, Tulia Backpackers, Bahdala Mosque, Mazrui Cemetery, Old Law Courts, Treasury Square, Africa Hotel, Kizingo BBQ, St. Joseph's Fort, Ras Serani Lighthouse, Kizingo War Camp, Mombasa Golf Club, Mama Ngina Waterfront Park, Shelly Beach, The Likoni Floating Bridge, Mbaraki Creek, Mombasa Yatch Club, Mbaraki Pillar, The Mombasa Mbaraki Cemetery, The Little Theatre Club, Kilindini Harbour, The Mombasa Memorial Church, The Holy Ghost Catholic Cathedral, Lord Shiva Temple, The Old Mombasa Railway Station, Railways Park, Mombasa African Memorial, Mombasa’s Tusks, Fort Makupa, Kibarani Recreation Park, Akamba Handicraft Shop, Manyimbo War Cemetery, Tudor Water Sports Marina, Nyali Bridge, ACK Emmanuel, The Kengeleni Monument, Bahari Beach Resort, Tamarind Dhow Cruise, Krapf Memorial Heritage Park, Kenyatta Public Beach, Bombolulu Workshop, Haller Park, Mombasa Butterfly Pavilion, Bamburi Rifle Range, Mombasa Go-Kart, Suli Suli Fishing, Nguuni Nature Sanctuary, Mamba Village, Nyali Golf & Country Club, Wild Waters, Nyali Shopping Mall, Mombasa Marine Park I Reserve, Ngomongo Village, Shimo la Tewa Site, The Moorings, La Marina Restaurant

Know More About Mombasa County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - with the aid of a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.01?

Mombasa County can be split into 3 zones: 1. Coastal plain, covering parts the Island; 2. The hilly areas rising gently from 45 ms to 132 ms asl in the west; and 3. The Indian Ocean and the shoreline.

What’s The Air Like In Mombasa?

May is generally the wettest month, then April and June. Average temperatures are always high, rarely falling below 24oC across the year.

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