Begin with pickup at your Mombasa accommodations, then travel to Fort Jesus, a UNESCO-listed, 16th-century Portuguese fort. Visit a series of exhibits inside the fort, which is also Mombasa’s oldest museum, following the history of local people, the Swahili language, and the sultans. Continue into Mombasa’s old town, where diverse historical architecture tells the story of the Africans, Arabs, Asians, Portuguese, and British who have shared the city for hundreds of years. Take in the elephant trunk monument, a poignant reminder of the now-illegal ivory trade that flourished in Mombasa. Pass the atmospheric fish market, where local fishermen display each day’s catch, and take time to sample local dishes in the market (own expense)—visiting the market with the guide is a perfect way to learn about Mombasa specialties.
