When planning for a Safari in Kenya, you may want to take a few days to rest at some of Kenya’s gorgeous white sandy beaches. Mombasa, Kenya’s biggest coastal town is the most popular with tourists. One question you may have asked yourself though, is : Is Mombasa Safe For Tourists?
Mombasa is safe for tourists since security is tightened around tourist hotels and in addition to this, the hotels and resorts take the safety of their guests really seriously. However, even with the best security, you still need to use your common sense to stay safe as a tourist. In this post, I will outline some tips that will help you to stay safe as a tourist in Mombasa Kenya.
10 Tips to Stay Safe in Mombasa
1. Avoid public crowds
Crowded places are not the best place for a tourist in Mombasa. Crowds attract pickpockets and in the unlikely event of a mishap like a fire being in a crowded place places you in greater danger than if you were alone.
If you do find yourself in a crowded place, keep alert of your surroundings and pockets!
2. Leave fancy jewelry back home.
It is no secret that jewelry -especially expensive ones-tend to draw attention to us. Hence to avoid any instances of being mugged, generally avoid wearing your 2, 3 or 4 figure dollar jewel piece in broad daylight. (Or even packing it for the trip in the first place. )
It is also wise not to display your gadgets -phones, tablets, camera as you may run the risk of being stolen from or even extortion for money by locals.
3. Keep your wits about you
Curiosity can be expensive. A cost you wouldn’t want to incur, hence just stick to the plan. Don’t wander too far off, don’t leave without letting people know of your where-about and carry identification details with you-your ID or passport will do just fine.
It would also be of best interest to avoid places where demonstrations are taking places especially during the election time since tensions are usually high.
In addition to this, make sure that you are aware of your surroundings and take note of anything that seems suspicious. Staying alert is one of the best ways of staying safe.
4. Avoid lonely beaches
Beaches may seem a great place to relax as you meet new people. Yet, some beaches are filled with beach boys and girls who loiter around the beach in the name of being tourists yet are out to steal from you in actual sense. Should you decide to use public beaches, don’t go there by yourself. Keep the company of a trusted local but generally, avoid them when there is close to nobody else around.
5. Use a Safety bag in towns
When up and about in the town, it is safe for you to carry with you a money pouch worn beneath your clothes to store extra cash , your cards as well as any medication you may need. This would ensure that in case of any run-in with trouble you are sorted without making it look too obvious.
6. Avoid late nights and early mornings
The late nights with the wind rushing by to cool the days heat may seem like a brilliant idea but you also should avoid doing this while by yourself. Instead, you could take a late-night or early-morning drive with a trusted taxi. Ensure to know the price of the taxi upfront though!
7. Know the hotspots and avoid them
You run the risk of being in danger in places like Kisauni and Mshomoroni due to the high drug abuse rate which tends to lead to youth being involved in crime-it is therefore wise to avoid the Old town of Mombasa.
8. Avoid driving yourself
Even when you have a licence to drive on Kenyan Roads, it is still ill-advised for you to drive yourself. For starters, road conditions are poorly maintained with potholes. Most Kenyan vehicles, especially in public transport, are often driven at excessive speeds as well.
Yet, if it is a must that you actually drive yourself, drive with your doors locked and windows closed just to maintain your own security. Do not also leave the car unattended with valuables inside.
9. Have a backup credit card
You probably will be walking around the city with cash but should anything happen -say an instance of theft or you run into trouble it is safe to have a card that could come in handy. It is, however, advisable to leave it safely locked in your hotel room instead of carrying with you at all times.
And remember! Be careful when withdrawing your money via the ATM.
10. Put your stuff where you can see it.
Have all your valuables within your line of sight and if possible, keep them in one bag to void losing them.
Some Useful Contacts
If you encounter any trouble during your stay in Mombasa, the contacts below might be useful
- Area police-they are the closest help you can get in case of danger. The toll lines for the Mombasa Office is +254 41 2311401
- Your embassy-always make sure to inform them of the trouble you are in
Mombasa is a remarkable place to visit -to enjoy the food and the scenery and the people. And we hope that these tips will go a long way in ensuring that your stay in Mombasa is as seamless and enjoyable as it can be.
A Final Word
As you prepare for your trip to Africa, I would like to recommend a few products that would help make your life easier.
- Shoes: I recommend that you check the Keen Hiking shoes. I have written an extensive article on the best shoes for an African safari and this shoe checks all the boxes for things you should look for when choosing a shoe for Africa. (Check out the Keen Hiking Shoes on Amazon)
- Camera: If you are not big on photography, I would not advise you to buy a brand new camera for your African Adventure. Good cameras can be expensive and buying a camera you will not use is not a good use of your limited budget. I advise that you rent a camera instead and Lens Rentals have a great Safari Camera Kit perfect for someone traveling to Africa. If you are thinking of getting into photography, then you can invest in a new camera but before you do, check out my pick for the best Safari Camera for a Beginner like Me
- Information About Africa: I have created a YouTube channel that focuses on things about traveling to Africa that only Africans can tell you about. Check out the channel for insights about African culture and things you can do as a traveler to optimize your trip. You should also visit TripAdvisor forum posts (Here is the Kenya Forum) and ask questions about your particular situation. There are a lot of people who are happy to help you out.
- Choosing a Safari Company: I have written an extensive article on how to choose a safari Company. You can. Check it out before starting the process of searching for a safari company.
- Consulting Session: If you have any questions you would like to ask me about Kenya, I would invite you to contact me for a 30-minute consultation session where I will share my knowledge about East Africa and share experiences that will help you make your trip easier. Reach out to me on email – antonynjoro@gmail.com
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