AAMS09 City Tour, Tamarind Lunch and Haller Park – Full Day

This tour encompasses the many interesting places of Mombasa. Your drive takes you to Akamba Handicraft Centre, where you may buy souvenirs direct from the traditional Akamba wood carvers. Then back to the island and a visit to the Hindu temple including a short talk on their belief as you take in the sights. After this you proceed to the huge and famous Tusks over Moi Avenue erected in 1952 in honour of Queen Elizabeth II first visit to Kenya.

The rest of the morning includes, a drive on Mama Ngina Drive to see the giant baobab forest that has lived for about 1000 years, Fort Jesus, the historic fortress built by the Portuguese to ward off attacks from the Arabs and a short walk through the Old Town giving you a chance to wind through the maze of twisting alleyways and photograph the ornately carved doors and overhanging balconies. This ancient and impressive maze of architectural wonder will bring you to the Old Dhow Harbour, which is still occasionally used by Dhows from Arabia and India.

A visit to the Market is recommended for spices at bargain prices. After which you head for Tamarind and descend the jetty to board the Arab dhow moored opposite the Old Town and motor slowly towards the Old Harbour and Fort Jesus sipping something cool…

Lunch is prepared by the Tamarind chefs and served whilst the dhow is at anchor in the tranquil waters of Tudor Creek. The Tamarind is well known for its excellent cuisine and particularly its seafood specialties, although charcoal grilled fillet steak and vegetarian dishes are also available.

Reaching the turning point, you start your journey back. At approx 1500hrs you depart Tamarind and transfer to Haller Park passing a crocodile farm along the way. Haller Park is world famous - from a wasteland to paradise, the story of Haller Park is the miracle of turning a barren, lunar-type landscape into an ecologically sustainable wonder. Over the past three decades, quarries that were previously excavated for cement production have now been transformed into a variety of recreational facilities including forests / nature trails and game sanctuaries, and crocodile and fish farms. Here a land once lifeless, now thrives with abundant wildlife and is home to, amongst other animals, hippo, antelope, birds, reptiles, snakes, giant tortoises, crocodiles and giraffe.

As dusk approaches you drive back to your hotel.