10 Best Things to Do in Mombasa with Kids
WildWaters Local Guide — 2026
In this guide
Wild Waters Kenya — Mombasa's Largest Waterpark
If you are planning a family day out in Mombasa, Wild Waters Kenya is the natural first choice. Located on Links Road in Nyali, the park features 15 water activities including dark tunnel slides (Midnight Cascade), the Simba Swirl flume bowl, the Multilane and Harakiri high-speed slides, a large lazy river, and a dedicated Tiny Tots Island with shallow water and an interactive play station for younger children. The park is well staffed, with trained slide attendants at every water activity, and has an on-site food court serving Swahili, Indian, and continental food alongside a full bar.
Wild Waters works for every age group in the family — toddlers have their own zone, primary-age kids can tackle the intermediate slides, and adults have the lazy river to decompress between the thrill rides. Branded floaters are included free with admission for use on the lazy river. Free on-site parking is available.
Haller Park — Giraffes, Hippos & Giant Tortoises
Haller Park is one of the most remarkable conservation stories in Kenya. What was once a barren limestone quarry owned by Bamburi Cement was transformed from the 1970s onwards into a thriving wildlife sanctuary by Swiss agronomist Dr René Haller — and became the first recipient of the UNEP Global 500 Roll of Honour for its ecological restoration. Today it is home to giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, giant tortoises, elands, monkeys, and over 180 bird species, all in forest trails that feel nothing like a zoo.
The real highlight for kids is the afternoon feeding programme: giraffe feeding at 3 PM, hippo feeding at 4 PM, and crocodile feeding at 4:30 PM. Standing on the elevated giraffe platform and hand-feeding these animals is genuinely unforgettable. Allow at least 2–3 hours to walk the trails and catch the feedings.
Mamba Village Centre — East Africa's Largest Crocodile Farm
Just a short distance from Wild Waters on Links Road, Mamba Village is home to over 10,000 Nile crocodiles — including Big Daddy, reputedly the oldest crocodile at the farm. Older children in particular find this place completely captivating. The visit starts with an educational video on reptile conservation before a guided walk through the crocodile enclosures, a snake park, ostrich pen, and botanical gardens. There is also a lake where families can hire paddle boats.
The daily crocodile feeding show is the centrepiece and draws a crowd — arrive in time to get a good viewing spot. Mamba Village also has the Croco Villa Restaurant, where the adventurous can try crocodile steak alongside more conventional menu options.
Nyali Beach — Calm Waters & White Sand
Nyali Beach is one of the most popular family beaches on the Kenyan coast, and for good reason. The reef offshore keeps the waves gentle and the water clear — ideal for young children who want to splash around without worrying about strong surf. The white sand is clean, the beach is lined with palm trees, and there are several beachside restaurants and snack stands within easy reach.
It is also a great base for water sports if you have older children — local operators offer snorkelling, kayaking, and glass-bottom boat rides along the reef. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to visit to avoid the midday heat.
Mama Ngina Waterfront Park — Sea Views & Open Space
Mama Ngina Waterfront is a well-maintained public park running along the southern tip of Mombasa Island, overlooking the Kilindini Channel and the Indian Ocean. The long palm-tree walkway from Likoni Ferry to Mombasa Golf Club is perfect for families — kids can run freely on the lawns, ride bikes or roller skates along the paved paths, and enjoy open-air restaurants that line the waterfront.
It is one of the most relaxed free activities in Mombasa and works especially well as a sundowner spot — the views of the channel at dusk are genuinely beautiful. Occasional pop-up entertainment, face-painting, and bouncy castles appear on weekends during school holidays.
Fort Jesus Museum — UNESCO World Heritage Site
Built by the Portuguese between 1593 and 1596, Fort Jesus is Mombasa's most iconic landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For older children and teens in particular, the fort is a genuinely engaging history experience — the thick walls are covered in graffiti from European, Arabic, and Swahili cultures over four centuries, and the museum inside tells the story of colonisation, trade, and conflict on the East African coast in vivid detail.
Younger children enjoy climbing the ramparts and exploring the passages. The views of the Old Port and the Indian Ocean from the fort walls are excellent for photos. Book a guide at the entrance for the full experience — the stories they tell bring the place to life in a way the signs alone cannot.
Nguuni Nature Sanctuary — Giraffes & Game Drives
A quieter alternative to Haller Park, Nguuni Nature Sanctuary sits on the Nguu Tatu Hills about 10 minutes from Bamburi and is home to giraffes, elands, ostriches, antelope, and oryx. The sanctuary is set in a beautiful hilltop environment with panoramic views of the coast, making it one of the most scenic wildlife spots in the Mombasa area.
Game drives are available, and the sanctuary is particularly popular for sundowner visits — watching giraffes silhouetted against a coastal sunset is one of those Mombasa experiences that stays with you. It is less crowded than Haller Park and has a more intimate feel that younger children in particular appreciate.
Mombasa Go-Kart — Racing, Paintball & Mini Golf
If you have older children or teenagers, Mombasa Go-Kart is worth building into your itinerary. The circuit has speed governors on all karts so even small children can participate safely, and the track has enough twists and turns to keep things genuinely exciting. Beyond karting, the venue offers paintball, a zip-line and zip-coaster, mini golf, and a large sports screen in the bar area.
Families are welcome to bring their own birthday cake (a policy worth noting if you are combining a birthday outing with a day at Wild Waters nearby), and the on-site restaurant serves pizza, chicken, and casual food. It is a particularly good option for mixed-age groups where teenagers need something with a bit more adrenaline.
Bamburi Beach — Camel Rides & Calm Waters
Bamburi Beach is consistently rated one of the best family beaches on the north coast. The waters are calm and clear, the sand is soft, and the beach is lined with palm trees. Camel rides along the shore are a perennial favourite with children, and local water sports operators offer snorkelling, kayaking, and glass-bottom boat trips at reasonable rates.
The beach is conveniently close to Haller Park, making it natural to combine both in a single day trip — wildlife in the afternoon then a swim and a meal on the beach as the sun goes down.
Mombasa Old Town — Carved Doors & Swahili Culture
Mombasa Old Town is a living piece of history — narrow alleyways, elaborately carved wooden doorways, Swahili and Arabic architecture layered over four centuries of trade and culture. A walking tour through Old Town (guides are available at the Fort Jesus entrance) is genuinely engaging even for children who are not usually interested in history, particularly when the guide explains the stories behind the individual doors and the merchants who built them.
Stop at one of the local snack stands along the way for bhajias, mahamri, or fresh coconut water — these small food moments are often what children remember most vividly about a Mombasa trip. The Mandhry Mosque and the Old Law Courts are worth a detour. Keep the visit to the cooler morning hours and bring hats and water.
Ready to start with the best on the list?
Wild Waters Kenya is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 AM to 6 PM. Resident admission from KSh 1,700 per person. Children under 2 enter free. Free on-site parking. Food courts on site.
See tickets & pricing → Get directions →Frequently Asked Questions
Wild Waters Kenya in Nyali is consistently rated the top family activity in Mombasa. With 15 water slides, a lazy river, a dedicated kids pool, and a Tiny Tots Island for younger children, it offers a complete full-day experience for all ages. Children under 2 are admitted free of charge.
Absolutely. Wild Waters has a dedicated Tiny Tots Island with shallow water and an interactive water play station designed specifically for younger children. The area is clearly defined and supervised by trained slide attendants. Children under 2 years of age are admitted free of charge.
Mombasa has excellent wildlife for families. Haller Park in Bamburi has giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, giant tortoises, and over 180 bird species with daily feeding sessions. Mamba Village in Nyali is East Africa's largest crocodile farm and also has snakes, ostriches, and botanical gardens. Nguuni Nature Sanctuary offers game drives and sundowner experiences.
Several of the best activities in Mombasa are free or very low cost. Nyali Beach and Bamburi Beach are free to access. Mama Ngina Waterfront Park has free entry and is a lovely open space for families. A self-guided walk through Mombasa Old Town is also free. Fort Jesus charges a small entry fee but offers a guided tour that is excellent value.
Wild Waters is located on Links Road, Nyali, next to Mamba Village and across from Nyali Golf Club. By public transport, board a matatu heading towards Nyali from Town, Lights Stage, or City Mall Stage and ask to be dropped at Wild Waters. By car or tuk-tuk, follow Links Road into Nyali and look for the Wild Waters signage on the left. Full directions here.
Absolutely. A popular combination is Wild Waters in the morning (opens 10 AM) followed by Mamba Village in the early afternoon — both are on Links Road in Nyali, less than 2 km apart. For a full-day Nyali loop, add Nyali Beach for a sunset swim. Haller Park and Bamburi Beach are a natural pairing on the north coast. Give yourself a full day for Fort Jesus and Old Town together.
Have a question about visiting Wild Waters Kenya? Email us on info@wildwaterskenya.com or call 0726 337000.
