INFORMATION ABOUT NAIROBI & MOMBASA

NAIROBI

Nairobi has grown from a small railroad town to a large cosmopolitan city with a population approaching two million. Much is to be seen in and around the capital. The National Museum has numerous exhibits of outstanding interest, including a number of the late Dr. L.S.B. Leakey's great finds, a collection of original artifacts from Kenyan tribes and a superb collection of mounted birds. Adjacent to the Museum is the Snake Park and the Aviary.The Railway Museum is a must for visitors interested in the country's history as well as Karen Blixen Museum and the AFEW Centre.

MOMBASA

With at history reaching back thousands of years, the heart of the coastal belt is the ancient port of Mombasa. Centered on an Island flanked on two sides by a natural and picturesque harbour, Mombasa Island has been a centre for traders since the Assyrians began to explore Africa's immense coast in about 3000B.C. Certainly, Arab trading dhows have called here regularly for over 2000 years.Situated on the island of Mombasa is the majestic Portuguese Fort Jesus, overlooking the entrance to the old harbour, it must be the heart of the Coast's historical heritage. You can wander through the quaint narrow streets of the Old Town, past beautiful carved doors and balconies, mosques, shops and street vendors selling anything from antiques to Arab coffee. In the old port you might see Arab dhows carrying their wares that have sailed from Arabia on the monsoon winds.Along the Coast there are fascinating and mysterious remains of the great historical interest. Of note are the Jumba and Gedi ruins along north coast. Three National Marine Parks will open up a new world of exotic beauty and a visit to Wasini Island ought not to be missed.The Indian Ocean provides some of the world's finest fishing and several fishing clubs will provide boats and fishing tackle. Finally, no visit to the coast would be complete without a romantic cruise by Dhow.