Kizingo Camp

Unusual Attractions in Mombasa

Camp Kizingo at Ras Serani: Military Base

The area roughly delineated by State House Mombasa and Mombasa Golf Club, known as Kizingo, was home in the late 1930s and early 1940s to the imperative and intricate military base, Kizingo Camp. On June 28, 1936, the Commanding Royal Engineer, Michael Biggs, took over the responsibility for construction work of Kizingo Camp. This included the construction of: two 6-inch guns in open concrete emplacements with ammunition embrasures, an underground magazine between the guns, two 36-inch high current density searchlights in concrete emplacements, an engine room, a three-storey reinforced concrete building, a Port Signal Station, and, on the domestic side, barracks (initially for 75 African askaris) and for the families of half of them, plus, an Officer’s Mess, Sergeant’s Mess, staff quarter, stores, administrative buildings as well as a sewage plant.

Most of the construction work was carried out by direct employment; the skilled work by Indian artisans (fundis). The hard manual labour, like the digging of trenches and chambers in the coral rock, was done by prisoners from the jail at Fort Jesus. “On December 21st, 1936, a successful gun test took place with a full load. The completion of the magazine, however, took longer. The last structure, completed in February of 1937, was the command post with its two main interconnected compartments for control of the guns and searchlights, with the big 9 inch Barr & Stroud rangefinder placed on the roof” – Hans-Martin Sommer.

In September 1939 war was declared and around Mombasa new activities began to protect the harbour and city. By September 1940, the probability of aggression increased with the signing of Tripartite Pact in Berlin between Germany, Italy and Japan. The Japanese entered the war in December 1941, and fears of an attack mounted steadily after Burma and Singapore were lost and Ceylon became the next target for the enemy. From there the East African coast was not far.

The main strategic concept was to defeat any Japanese fleet advancing against the East African coast through sea and air attacks initiated by the Royal Navy fleet based in Mombasa. Much of this was met by requisitioning public buildings and hotels like the Manor and today’s Castle Royal. The Royal Engineers again took the main responsibility for most of the renovation work and they were supported by groups of Air Force (Air Branch of the Royal Navy and South African Air Force) who were developing a big new airfield on the mainland close to Port Reitz, today’s Moi International Airport. The two guns near the light house, installed in 1937, were replaced by three modern 6-inch guns in power-operated turrets and with much greater range. Along Azania, a huge amount of defence work was installed.

Various harbour defences of smaller guns and searchlights covered both Kilindini Harbour and Old Port, and were linked to underwater submarine detection loops installed and operated by the British Royal Navy. South African Army dispatched about 500 men from an Anti-Aircraft Brigade to Mombasa in May of 1940. This 1st Unit was deployed in and around Mombasa at Nyali Bridge, Makupa Causeway, Port Reitz Aerodrome and the golf course. Each of these sections had two 3-inch anti-aircraft guns. The rest of the group arrived in June, and by month’s end, on the very verge of the war, no less than 27 posts in and around Mombasa were manned. After the Royal Navy code-breakers at Bletchley Park, UK, cracked the German Enigma Code, more efforts were made to decipher the Japanese codes.

In April 1942, following a Japanese attack on Colombo, most of the Royal Navy code-breakers in Ceylon moved to Mombasa. The Mombasa code-breakers, based at Ras Serani, enjoyed their first big success by helping to interpret the vital Japanese JN4O code. This and subsequent breakthroughs led to the Japanese trade marine suffering 90% losses by August 1945, victim to Allied submarines and bombers alerted to their presence. Despite the many efforts to keep the Japanese fleet away from the East African coast, Japanese submarines and aircraft targeted Kilindini a few times. Still and all, Japanese submarines and planes never attacked Kilindini. Likewise, no shot was fired on the Japanese from Azania Drive.

In May of 1945, the war in Europe was over and in September 1945 the Japanese officially surrendered. The defence of the East African coast was not solely in Mombasa’s hands. Installations had also been built in Tanganyika at Manza, Tanga and Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar. All guns were fired after fitting for testing purposes only. It is reported that after the notice of the armistice the joy of the gun crews was so great that they loaded all the guns and fired. And fell silent forever!

Until about 1950, the cannons were still guarded by the King’s African Rifles and probably scrapped shortly afterwards. The ammunition was dumped 1.6 km off Mombasa’s coast. In 1960 divers recovered a portion of the explosives from the seaway and disposed of them. “Nearly all the defence buildings are today in a sad state. Only one site in Mombasa is still in use – and that is only as a public toilet.

Around Kenya are a selection of natural landmarks, cultural shrines, architectural oddities, and technological installations that offer incredible, almost surreal experiences that can make you feel as if you’ve stepped into another world. Hauntingly beautiful to some, eerie sights for others, and still, for others, down right strange, these site provide unique experiences for adventurous travelers.

Index of Unusual Attractions Around Kenya



Baringo County - Olduka (Mogotio) Valley, Busia County - The Alupe Leprosy Centre, Elgeyo Marakwet County - Kipteberr, Isiolo County - Magado Crater, Magado Cave Dwellings, Nantudu Spire Rock, Merti Catholic Church, Buffalo Springs, Harr Girrissa, Kericho County - Van Wicker's Cave, The Kipkelion Monastery, Kilifi County - Hell's Kitchen, Luigi Broglio Space Centre, Ngomeni Shipwreck, Kwale County - Three Sisters Caves, Mrima Hills Rare Earth Mine, Laikipia County - Sirmon & Nyariginu Confluence, Lamu County - The Lamu Donkey Sanctuary, Machakos County - Komarock Shrine, Kituluni Magical Hill, Makueni County - Kenze Gorges, Virgin Mary Shrine, Emali Trig, Holy Nzaui Rock, Mandera County - Marehan Sandstone, Marsabit County - Chalbi Desert, Meru County - Mystical Lake Nkunga, The Giant Footprints, Mombasa County - Kizingo, Mbaraki Pillar, Muranga County - Muranga Gorges, Nakuru County - Longonot Earth Station, Menegai, The Djinn House, Diana Caldwell's Shrine, Nandi County - Sheu Morobi Cliffs, Kopere Rocks, Nyandarua County - The Kinangop Step, Wanjohi Happy Valley, Dragon's Teeth, Nyeri County - Italian Memorial Church & Somali Wall, Taita Taveta County - The Taita Skull Caves, Shetani Lava, Yatta Springs, Nyiri Taru Desert, Crystal Caves at Lake Chala, Salaita (Slaughter) Hill, Haunted Sniper's Tree, Turkana County - Kapedo Falls, Lake Alablab, The Turkana Boy Monument, Samburu County - Samburu Singing Wells, Ngurunit Pools & Slides, Mystical Emuruangogolak, Vihiga County - Wagevere Rock, Nganyi Rainmakers Forest, Wajir County - Shaletey Caves

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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A Guide to Mombasa County

A Summa Digest of Mombasa

About Mombasa Way Back When

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.