“When I’m in Kenya there are days that are less hectic than others, but I’m always busy. I’m being more careful at the moment because of the situation with COVID, but I still saw the kids in the orphanage that I support, I didn’t want to let them down. I want to reach as many people as I can. I want to spread awareness. There’s a part of me where, if I love something, I want the world to know about it.
“We were working, too we were even shooting on Boxing Day! We shot during the day, we shot at night, but the atmosphere on set with Carlos and Luis and Jawara was so fun, so easy there was always a boombox somewhere close by playing music that it just felt like we were taking pictures on vacation. I think that’s something you can see: in how at ease I am; in the style of Luis’ photography; in the way, Carlos has styled me, and in the fun, Jawara had with the hair. We got to be a bit flamboyant, and it didn’t really feel like work, to be honest, it just felt like dressing up!
“It was just very real, very organic. And I felt proud, humbled, and happy to be part of a shoot with young creatives that are all my skin color, and that I’m getting to work with them after so many years of being in the fashion industry. It’s very rare that this has happened to me. Luis is the third photographer of color I’ve worked with in my whole career in fashion.
“When you see these images, I hope you see that Kenya is beautiful, that Africa is beautiful. I think people now are going to really open their minds and start to understand that real beauty is in Africa. There are so many gems, so many hidden secrets. I’ve been coming here since 1994 and I’m still discovering things.
“At the end of 2020, my main reflections were on the need for us to move upward and forward. We have to rise to every challenge and walk through it. And we will get through it. 2021 is going to be a great year, we’ve just got a few more bumps to get through first. Nothing disappears overnight, but we just need to get through this first quarter. After that, I believe that this is going to be an amazing year.
“Actually, I don’t just believe it will be; I feel it will be.”
Credits
Photography: Luis Alberto Rodriguez Fashion director: Carlos Nazario
Hair Jawara at Art Partner using Dyson. Make-up by: Bimpe Onakoya and Naomi Campbell. Styling assistance Raymond Gee, Christine Nicholson, Cari Pacheco, and Jennifer De La Cruz. Hair assistance: Matt Benns. Casting director: Samuel Ellis Scheinman for DMCASTING. Post-production: Michael Moser. Model Naomi Campbell at Models1.
The Most Romantic Places In Kenya Every Couple In Love Should Visit Are you in love? Exploring the world is a fantastic thing! And traveling with the person you love is the best way to take a break from your everyday life, and rediscover your passion.
Romantic getaway dinner and vacation’s doesn’t always have to be in western courtiers in places like Bora Bora, French Polynesia, Ubud, Bali, Paris, Cinque Terre, Italy, Tupai Atoll Kauai, Hawaii, Kyoto, Japan, The Maldives, Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany, Santorini, Greece .
Surprise your loved one with a romantic getaway this Valentine’s Day in Kenya. Have the time of your life at Kenya’s most romantic vacation destinations from North coast South coast, central to Western Kenya from lovable cottages to deluxe beach resorts private villas and experience the all-inclusive facilities such as unique cuisine, butler service, spa treatment, boot ride, scuba diving and infinity pools, candlelit dinner and private beach.
We have selected our favorite places for romantic getaways on Valentine’s Day for you. The surroundings are ideal for a perfect romance, long conversation, cosiness and relaxation.
1. Mfangano Island Camp
Mfangano Island is a small island, populated by local fishermen and this wonderful intimate lodge – you can reach it by private charter from the Masai Mara or from Nairobi. Mfangano encompasses rustic island luxury, and offers a true insight into the variety Kenya offers, it makes a great combination with a safari camp or beach holiday, and is truly unique in style and location.
There is 24 hour power, and an open sitting room with a bar and dining room decorated in ethnic style. Fishing is a highlight here, and Mfangano can provide all of the equipment there is also bird watching, walking trails, boat rides and traditional excursions in a ‘long boat’, visits to nearby Luo villages and school are also included in the price.
Location: Lake Victoria, Southern Kenya No of rooms: 6 rondavels Style: Island luxury in Africa’s largest lake thatched rooms with private verandah overlooking Lake Victoria Highlights: Culture, fishing, utter privacy, truly wild environment Dining: Eaten together or separate
2. Saruni Rhino
This extremely secluded and very intimate camp within the Sera Conservancy of the Samburu in Northern Kenya, is one of the most boutique and rustic chic camps you will visit.
There are only 3 rooms within this camp. Banda one is the largest suite which can sleep up to 4 people – perfect for families or groups of friends. There is a large outside communal space and the only thing you will share is the bathroom. Banda two is the smaller and original Kauro Banda. with a natural stone outside shower and running water. There is a spacious sandy terrace out on the front of the Banda over looking the ‘lugga’ (dried up river bed). Finally Banda number 3 is the perfect accommodation for families. Two en suite rooms with their own bathrooms and flushing loos. Like the other two Bandas, this Banda has a large veranda with stunning views of the ‘lugga’ which is often frequented by wandering elephants, plenty of plains game and an array of birdlife.
Each room has stunning views of the river bed – or ‘lugga’ – and the overall location of this camp is incredible for elephant and rhino viewing. On occasion you will be sitting with gin and tonic in hand in your room, or by the pool with your own personal sighting of these magnificent animals.
Location: Samburu, Sera Community Conservancy, Northern Kenya No of rooms: 3 rooms Style: Rustic boutique chic! Highlights: Game drives in Samburu and Sere Conservancy, meeting the Samburu tribe, swimming pool, massages, wonderful hosting – PLUS tracking the endangered black rhino on foot. Dining: Flexible dining options, but usually three course meals served in main area, although private dinners in room, and bush dinners are also available What’s the difference: The most hilarious charming Samburu staff and guides in Kenya. Wonderful infinity pool, rustic chic luxurious room with views of the river bed, fabulous elephant and cat experiences in Samburu National Park.
3. Elsa’s Kopje
Elsa’s Kopje (named after Elsa the lioness) has long been famed as one of Kenya’s most luxurious retreats, with sweeping views over the buffalo and elephant filled savannah, an infinity pool, and exquisite food, it certainly lives up to its reputation.
The lodge is almost invisible to the eye as you approach, it is built into Mughwango Hill and only naturally sourced materials were used. Elsa’s was built above the site of George Adamson’s original campsite, and Elsa the lionesses grave is not far away. Each private cottage is enormous, with large verandahs, spacious bathrooms, and plenty of space for afternoon siestas and wildlife viewing from your room.
Elsa’s Private House is ideal for families or those guests after a little more luxury, with two bedrooms, a comfy main sitting and dining room, and a private garden and pool – you will also have an expert guide who will privately guide you throughout.
Elsa’s Honeymoon suite is the ultimate in romance, with three levels and breathtaking views, the perfect cottage to while away your days after an exciting morning of game viewing.
Activities at Elsa’s include day and night game drives, bush walks, bush meals and sundowners, cultural visits, day excursions to the Tana River, line fishing, swimming and massages.
Elsa’s Kopje works hard to preserve and promote community conservation, working closely with the Tharaka people, based near the southern boundary of the park – the lodge buys their handcrafts, promotes dancing performances which revenue money for the tribe, and finances the building of local schools through clients donations and from the lodge, Elsa’s Kopje also buy fresh produce off the farmers and employs a number of staff from the local Kanjoo community.
Location: Meru National Park, Northern Kenya No of rooms: 6 cottages, 3 honeymoon suite, 1 two bedroom cottage, 1 private house (2 bedrooms) Style: Luxury cottages with sweeping views Highlights: Remote wilderness, exceptional guiding, good food, George and Joy Adamson Dining: Eat at separate tables under the stars or in the cosy dining and sitting area What’s the difference: Views over Meru National Park with excellent game viewing and museum dedicated to Elsa the Lion from Born Free, and George Adamson. The Luxury Safari Company Award for: Closest Lodge to the site of most of George Adamsons work.
4. Nairobi Tented Camp
The first and only tented camp inside Nairobi National Park – Deep within a riverine forest minutes from Jomo Kenyatta Airport, Wilson Airport and Nairobi City is a true wilderness experience. Visitors can arrive into Kenya and get ‘straight under canvas’ within 30 minutes of leaving the airport. Nairobi Tented Camp is an authentic tented camp in the heart of Nairobi National Park.
It is the first accommodation of any sort to be allowed in this unique safari destination. It is also the first tented accommodation in Nairobi. There isn’t anywhere else in the world like it; a wilderness escape where you can savour the thrill of camping in the heart of thick bushland right on the doorstep of Nairobi.
With sweeping plains on one side and Nairobi city on the other, Nairobi National Park is a wildlife haven unlike any other, with guaranteed sightings of rhino a reason in itself to visit, and Nairobi Tented Camp offers guests the opportunity to really get to know this unique destination and its wildlife.
International visitors will leave Jomo Kenyatta airport and within ten minutes start their wildlife encounter, with the last 20 minutes of their short half an hour journey filled with the excitement of their first game drive in Kenya.
Location: Nairobi National Park, Kenya No of rooms: small bush camp Style: Comfortable and rustic bush camp Highlights: The only camp in Nairobi National Park, fun and friendly atmosphere Dining: In the mess area
5. The Majlis
The Majlis is a small luxury beach hotel which looks directly at Peponis across the channel. Beautiful beaches and views combine to make this hotel tranquil and idyllic. The hotel is decorated with the true Italian flare of its owner, and is heart breakingly beautiful. The 25 suites are divided between three villas, all directly on the beach, with huge verandahs overlooking the white sand and azure water of the Indian Ocean.
From the Majlis you can do everything, but a visit to Shela or Lamu town is a must, and making the most of the lodge’s exceptional restaurant is a definite.
From the Majlis, one can also do the most fantastic dhow safari. The relaxing and luxurious dhow will sail you towards the Tana River Delta, here you will be collected by a guide from Tana Delta Dune Lodge, a luxurious boutique lodge (one of Kenya’s hidden jewels) – here you can spend the day, or even a night, enjoying delicious food, a friendly atmosphere, the sheer feeling of wilderness, and you might spot a few crocodiles and hippos while you’re there – before returning by dhow back to The Majlis.
Location: Manda Island, Northern Kenya Coast No of rooms: 25 suites Style: Colonial settlers residence, set in the beautiful Shela town Highlights: Peponis bar, the food, people watching from your sunbed or lunch, Shela Beach Dining: Flexible dining options
6. Manda Bay
Manda Bay is a small boutique hotel famous for it’s private location and fabulous hosting and atmosphere. All of the bandas are on the beach, and Manda’s atmosphere is that of barefoot luxury and utter freedom to be yourself and relax. The buildings are in keeping with the local style, and built out of natural materials.
There is a central dining room, with furniture crafted out of Lamu antiques, the large bar and sitting room are on the waterfront, and the game room encompasses a fresh water swimming pool. Manda Bay can also offer beach and bush experiences, as well as a huge array of water sports, for those more active, although to relax here is to truly unwind.
Location: Manda Island, Northern Kenya Coast No of rooms: 16 Style: Luxury beach bandas, with private beach Highlights: Family atmosphere, fun hosting Dining: Flexible dining options What’s the difference: Romantic, breezy and remote – this lodge is totally unique and offers every water sport and activity under the sun, of which our favourite was the sunset dhow cruise with bitings, just magical. The Luxury Safari Company Award for: Best beach lodge in Lamu.
7. Water Lovers
Water Lovers is a small and charming boutique hotel which feels small and intimate, with a beautiful view of the Indian Ocean. The turtle shaped infinity pool is inviting during the hot days, and there is plenty of space for all guests to be totally private and exclusive. Each cottage has a private ocean view verandah, and cuisine is exotic and delicious. Each cottage has air conditioning, fans, mosquito nets and a mobile and sim card to use for the duration of your stay. The interiors are Swahili in style, and bright and welcoming.
Water Lovers can organise kite surfing, snorkelling, big game fishing, tennis, and much more, as well as organising personal functions such as weddings, functions and events.
Location: Diani, South Kenya Coast No of rooms: 6 cottages, 1 family cottage suitable for four Style: Boutique hotel right on the beach Highlights: Private bit of beach in front of the hotel Dining: Eat separately by the sea, or the candlelit pool What’s the difference: Small intimate and owner run this little gem offers a fantastic spa, wonderfully friendly staff and a little piece of paradise for those wanting understated luxury and privacy. The Luxury Safari Company Award for: Best small beach lodge in Africa.
8. Desert Rose
Desert Rose is the only luxury lodge situated in the far North of Kenya, overlooking the semi-arid wilderness. Desert Rose is eco friendly and culturally integrated with the Samburu people, a wonderfully charismatic tribe. The main lounge and pool area has been hand crafted to blend with the indigenous gardens, and landscaped to enhance the dramatic views one gets from the lodge.
All of the en-suite bathrooms are open air, and each cottage is designed around natural features. All food is home cooked and home produced. Activities here include camel safaris, wood workshops, fishing on Lake Turkana, staying overnight in a houseboat on Lake Turkana.
There are also journeys by road, either north to Lake Turkana for fishing and an adventure into this rugged part of the world or towards the Ndoto Mountains for some wild rock climbing.
Location: Lake Turkana, Northern Kenya No of rooms: 5 Style: Remote desert lodge Highlights: Desert, Lake Turkana, true unexplored untouched wilderness Dining: Eat together in the open dining room What’s the difference: It doesn’t get more remote than this – enjoy walking through uncharted territory from one of the most remote lodges in Kenya. The Luxury Safari Company Award for: Most remote location.
9. Ol Malo House
Ol Malo House is a new addition to this beautiful game sanctuary and offers guests complete and utter privacy, with all the benefits of the numerous activities offered at Ol Malo, all of which can be done with your own private guides and trackers.
Built on the rock out of olive wood, with thatched roof and hand crafted furniture, with the hub of the house being a beautiful sitting and dining room complete with open fireplaces. Off this are three double bedrooms, and a further three double cottages create plenty of space for twelve guests to stay together in complete and utter privacy. The infinity pool is sure to draw all the family, and the verandah is perfect to survey those wide-open vistas, and ideal for al fresco dining.
Location: Privately owned game sanctuary, Laikipia, Northern Kenya No of rooms: 6 bedroom house Style: Luxury private house Highlights: Samburu people, conservation and flexibility in activities, private guide and meals Dining: Meals eaten in your private house
10. Tawi Lodge
Tawi Lodge is located on a private conservancy of 6,000 acres, just five minutes from Amboseli National Park, and is a successful new addition to the luxury lodge circuit in Kenya. The lodge is an eco-friendly operation which takes maximum care of the environment and it’s people. Each cottage has it’s own wooden decked verandah with views of Kilimanjaro, which can also be seen from your enormous bathtub. Tawi cottages also have fireplaces and butlers.
The style of the lodge is peace and tranquility, from the comfort of some seriously luxurious cottages, from which you can enjoy a sundowner or drink whilst watching elephant amble along the foothills of Kilimanjaro. Relax before dinner by the campfire or at the bush bar, and take in the nightsounds and stars.
Enjoy exciting game drives or relax by the pool after a massage – night game drives are also a must.
Location: Amboseli National Park, Southern Kenya No of rooms: 12 Style: Cottages with views of Kilimanjaro Highlights: Elephant viewing, swimming pool Dining: Eat together or separately, bush meals
The December holidays are a prime opportunity for the family to come together and enjoy quality time here is a list of 10 fantastic places you can visit this Christmas and enjoy yourself and your family
The paramount question for this Christmas holiday is where to spend time together as a family. To do a safari or to get a tan? To lounge on the white sandy beaches or to dine under the starry skies?
To gaze at the horizon of the turquoise waters or to stare at the endless green savannah plains?
Kenya offers a myriad of choices with lots of stories for your kids to write about in their essays in January. So, bush or beach destination for the Christmas holidays?
Whether you choose to be adventurous in Samburu or laze on Watamu beach
Below are a random selection of a place to spend time with your family during Christmas festive season,
1. Rhino River Camp
Rhino River Camp, an unusual, exclusive, and up-market lodge located in extraordinary Meru National Park, Kenya, where the legend of Elsa the lioness began. Your perfect base to explore the complete wilderness of Meru Park and its amazing wildlife, with our Rhino Sanctuary Gate, to meet one of the rarest and endangered animals on earth.
Situated in 80 acres of privately owned wilderness, our lodge offers the chance to connect with nature and to delight the senses in unspoiled bush and forest.
Whether it’s watching the classic African wildlife, indulging in a therapeutic massage, going on a bush hike or simply soaking up the savannah sun with a drink in the evening, Rhino River Camp offers endless opportunities for adventure and the perfect space for relaxation.
The Rhino Sanctuary section of Meru Park is just on our doorstep! So, whenever you feel like leaving the comfort of the Camp to see the Big Five (and more), you are able to do that within a few minutes.
Naivasha Kongoni Lodge offers guests the ultimate in personal comfort, luxury and innovative business and leisure facilities,
Located 27km from the turn-off to Moi South Lake Road is Naivasha Kongoni Lodge. This private getaway is as rare and impressive as the name after which it is named (Kongoni is the Swahili name for Hartebeest). Crafted from simple bush stone, local acacia, Leleshwa, and Olive woods with a beautiful thatched Makuti roof.
The Lodge overlooks Lake Oleidon and Lake Naivasha, only a few minutes away from Hell’s gate national Park, secluded on 30 acres of private land, it is close to Crescent Island Game Sanctuary, 30 to 40 minutes away from the Great Rift Valley Golf course and 20 minutes away from Mt. Longonot National Park.
Named for the intense geothermal activity within its boundaries, the Hell’s Gate National Park is a remarkable quarter of the Great Rift Valley. Spectacular scenery including the towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, stark rock towers, scrub clad volcanoes and belching plumes of geothermal steam make it one of the most atmospheric Parks in Africa.
Hell’s Gate is an ideal venue for a day trip from Nairobi where, in addition to the bio-diversity that includes raptors, visitors can enjoy mountain biking, rock climbing and a natural spa.
The place is famous for :
African buffalo, zebra, eland, hartebeest, Thomson’s gazelle and baboons are common. The park is also home to klipspringer antelope and Chandler’s mountain reedbuck
Prolific birdlife – there are over 100 species of birds in the park, including vultures, Verreaux’s Eagles, augur buzzard and swifts.
Lake Bogoria in Kenya is one of the lesser celebrated of the Rift Valley lakes but it provides as much beauty and inspiration as any of the other dramatic lakes in the region.
Such is the importance of Lake Bogoria that it has been declared a Ramsar Site and the Lake Bogoria National Reserve has been a protected area since the early 1970’s. With a depth of about 10 meters, the lake is relatively shallow and is approximately 34 km long by 3.5 km wide.
Lake Bogoria is a saline, alkaline lake and lies just south of Lake Baringo. With it’s ideal conditions it is home to one of the world’s largest populations of lesser flamingoes. Due to the lake’s alkalinity, blue-green algae grows well, this in turn feeds the flamingoes.
At times the number of flamingoes feeding in the lake may be as many as two million – creating a wonderful undulating blaze of pink as the flamingoes go about their feeding. This scene of brilliant pink flamingoes by the millions is only found in the Rift Valley Lakes of Kenya, and so is not replicated anywhere else in the world, due to the very specific environment needed by the birds.
Aside from the flamingoes, there are many other birds and animals to see at Lake Bogoria such as buffalo, zebra, baboon, warthog, caracal, spotted hyena, impala, and dik dik.
Maasai Mara (Masai Mara) is situated in south-west Kenya and is one of Africa’s greatest wildlife reserves. Together with the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, it forms Africa’s most diverse, incredible, and most spectacular eco-systems and possibly the world’s top safari big game viewing eco-system.
Maasai Mara National Reserve stretches 1,510 sq km (580 sq miles) and raises 1,500-2,170 meters above sea level. Add the conservancies and the area is at least twice the size. It hosts over 95 species of mammals and over 570 recorded species of birds. This is the world cup of wildlife, and together with the Serengeti National Park, there is no better place to witness the Best wildlife viewing in the world!.
It’s about 270 km from the capital Nairobi City and takes about 4-5 hours by road or 40-45 minutes by flight. The road is great for the most part. there is a section from Narok town to Sekenani Gate that is a dirt road but fairly good. The other road through Lemek and Aitong town is not good at all and very bumpy.
With the wildebeest migration in JULY – OCTOBER, this is the best time to see this incredible movement of animals. Although it is not guaranteed that the wildebeest get to Maasai Mara, it has yet to let us down. Also, December to February is a great time as it is dryer and good for the Big Cats.
NOTE: The Maasai Mara is an all year round destination with the big cats, and all the big game still in the Maasai Mara Ecosystem.
Solio Lodge is located on a private wildlife sanctuary, tucked in the valley between the lofty slopes of Mount Kenya and the peaks of the Aberdare Mountains, directly north of Nairobi.
This intimate and luxurious lodge opened in August 2010 and remains the only guest accommodation on the incredible 45,000-acre Solio Game Reserve. The Solio Reserve is internationally recognized as the most successful private rhino breeding reserve in Kenya and visitors will find that sightings of up to 40 rhinoceros at a time are not uncommon.
The wildlife experience here is intense and exclusive with 19,000 acres of conservancy surrounded by 45,000 acres of ranch and just one lodge, Solio Lodge, in the middle of it. Solio Lodge can be booked directly with The Safari Collection, as part of a bespoke itinerary that we can create for you or through your local agent or tour operator.
The Nairobi Safari Walk is an eye-opener to Kenya’s Parks and Reserves. It offers you an opportunity to learn what you expect to see across the country. Introductory talks on Kenya’s parks and reserves can be arranged for you by the naturalists.
You will have a taste of Kenya’s rich Animal collection including the rare bongo, white rhino, albino zebra, a collection of cats, antelopes, and primates. NSW is also home to a collection of about 150 species of local trees. Get to learn their varied traditional uses too.
Situated 7km south of the city of Nairobi lies the Nairobi Safari Walk, Kenya’s new conservation based recreation facility. The combination of skilled and creative landscape design, unique wildlife species, and detailed interpretation render the facility supremacy in tourism and conservation education.
Malindi Marine Park was established in 1986. The reserve is enveloped by beautiful sand seashores that extend from the edge of Watamu to the Vasco da Gama Pillar. The park is located south of Malindi town extending to Mida creek. It neighbors the Gede ruins and Arabuko Sokoke forest.
The park is endowed with magnificent resources such as fringing reefs, coral, seagrass, mangroves, mudflats, high fish diversity, marine mammals, turtles, and shorebirds.
From swimming with zebrafish to windsurfing, this beautiful slice of Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline provides the perfect getaway. The park is endowed with magnificent resources such as fringing reefs, coral gardens in the lagoons, seagrass beds, mangroves, mudflats, marine mammals, turtles, and various species of shorebirds. Visitors can also enjoy glass-bottom boat rides, snorkeling, camping, and beach walks in this veritable paradise.
The fringing reef is close to shore and exposed during low tide, but drops gradually to a seagrass bed that descends precipitously to the deep Barracuda Channel.
Visitors can enjoy diving, snorkeling, skiing, deep-sea fishing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing.
Nestled along the sand dunes of Shela Beach, The Fort has been hailed as a monument to Omani architectural ingenuity. Built-in 2001, the landmark is the epitome of privacy and seclusion. Its unique architecture occupies an unrivaled position overlooking the Indian Ocean on the deserted 14 kilometer beach.
Peaceful and tranquil in its setting, surrounded by natural dunes and breezy casuarinas, The Fort is an elegant and unique sanctuary offering privacy combined with personalized hospitality. Extremely private and secure, this oasis is just a ten-minute walk along the beach to Shela Village.
The Fort is constructed of local coral stone and is enclosed by an imposing 50-foot high sandstone wall. The Omani style heavy wooden entrance doors, decorated with iron studs, open onto the main floor of the property, where large arches surround the central courtyard. The living area, lower dining area, and lounge look onto the aesthetic pool and the beautiful garden.
From the upstairs formal dining area, guests can enjoy spectacular views of the Indian Ocean as traditional dhows sail by and donkeys and camels cruise the beach. Peering out at the pristine Shela Beach one is reminded that time here has stopped.
The Fort comes with a full staff to take care of all of your needs and desires. We can arrange day excursions to Lamu Town, neighboring islands, as well as fishing, snorkeling, and sailing trips.
The World Heritage Committee inscribed Fort Jesus on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001
Located in Mombasa, in the coastal region of Kenya, the Fort Jesus was built by the Portuguese between 1593 and 1596, to guard the old port of Mombasa, and served as a place of safety and security for the Portuguese living on the East Coast; it had hostile interested parties who used to live in Mombasa, such as the Omani Arabs, who attacked the fort 1696 1698. Fort Jesus is one of the most outstanding and well-preserved examples of 16th-century Portuguese military fortification and a landmark in the history of this type of construction.
Fort Jesus also served as barracks for the Portuguese soldiers between 1837 and 1895. When it fell under British rule in 1895, the fort was converted to a prison. On display at Fort Jesus, is a collection of preserved items over the years, dating back to the 14th and 19th century, that was used by Portuguese and Omani Arabs. Some of these items include an ancient Portuguese chair, Persian chest, drums, plates, and gourds.
Outside the fort is a unique display of neatly arranged canons (superior weapons in the olden times) that were used to destroy enemies.
This is a perfect spot to indulge in history.
Spectacular Sound and Light Show
For those who want to learn more about the struggle for Fort Jesus, the Fort plays host to a spectacular sound and light show three nights each week. Visitors are welcomed into the Fort by guards in flowing robes brandishing flaming torches. They are led to a specially designed and choreographed show that uses lights, sound effects, and costumed actors to bring to life the long and turbulent history of the Fort.
At the end of the show, a candlelit dinner is served in the open courtyard of the Fort, under the stars.
This wonderfully atmospheric night out is the perfect way to end the day and learn more about the history of Mombasa.
The sound and light show can be combined with a sunset dhow cruise on Mombasa harbor.
