Have you ever had a trip that felt cursed from the start, but ended up being the best time ever?
Our Mombasa expedition almost flopped before it even began. We left Nakuru before sunrise with one goal: catch the 3:00 PM SGR train in Nairobi. But between brutal traffic in Westlands and CBD, we arrived just in time to hear the train’s final horn blast.
But in Mombasa, nobody stays sad for long. Here’s how we saved our trip.
The Long Way Round
Missing the train didn’t mean going home. We squeezed into a shuttle at the terminus and braced for an exhausting night on the road. Between massive traffic jams and a much-needed pit stop at Mtito Andei for snacks, we finally rolled into Mombasa at 4:00 AM.
Exhausted doesn’t even cover it, but the moment we checked into Kwamby Ocean Paradise in Nyali and saw the Indian Ocean, all that stress just melted away.
Coastal Bliss & Sea Creatures
Day two was about checking off the classic Mombasa experiences:
- Mama Ngina Beach: We spent a hot afternoon here watching massive cargo ships glide past. It’s a literal reflection of the sky on the water.
- Mamba Village: We saw every reptile imaginable, from baby crocodiles to massive tortoises. Pro tip: if you’re squeamish about snakes, maybe stay behind the camera!
- Pirates Beach: We took a glass-bottom boat out to see the marine life and even held a sea urchin before releasing it back into the deep.
A Personal Milestone
The highlight for me? Swimming in the Indian Ocean without a floater for the first time. Huge shoutout to Katana, the lifeguard who helped me conquer that fear. There’s nothing like the freedom of the ocean and the speed of a jet ski to make you feel alive.
The Lesson Learned
We spent our final hours at Kingston Beach, soaking in the breeze with drinks in hand. When it was time to head back to the SGR terminus, we didn’t take any chances. We arrived at 7:30 AM for a 10:00 AM train.
Some lessons you only need to learn once.
The Mombasa trip was tough, beautiful, and absolutely unforgiving because of the heat, but it’s a journey that stays with you. If you’re planning a trip, leave early—and then leave a little earlier.
Relive the adventure here: https://youtu.be/BGhBgzKTo94
