We’re back travelling the globe, and for the first time in 11 years, I travelled to a new part of Africa – East Africa. The African continent will always be my favourite place to explore and so my anticipation for this trip was very high. Unlike my previous travels I was with my Barbie, which made the trip more amazing.
Barbie and Ken
Why Mombasa?
I’ve had a fascination with East and North Africa for the last five years, only because I’ve never been to these two regions in Africa. West and Southern Africa – I have repeatedly collected all the passport stamps and vibes. I needed something new. Luckily, East Africa got the draw and was first on the list. This was dictated by two reasons – (1) visa free travel to Kenya and (2) a desire for coastal vibes. Barbie and I settled on Mombasa as Mombasa offers more variety of activities and choice, and most importantly ease of travel. We split our time between Mombasa and Diani, mostly staying in Diani to experience Africa’s third best beach – only behind Camps Bay Beach (South Africa) and Anze Lazio (Seychelles).
It was a tricky time to be in Kenya due to the Kenya Finance Bill protests that erupted on 18 June and are ongoing in a subdued manner. Mombasa was significantly safer than Nairobi (thank God), and our travel dates of 11 – 14 July was a potentially safe period to avoid the worst of the protest action.
Travelling to Mombasa
So there were three main things to sort out for the trip: (1) Visa, (2) Flight tickets, and (3) Airbnb accommodation.
Visa was very simple to execute as Kenya offers visa free 90-day business or tourism travel for all foreign nationals. This is more accurately referred to as the electronic travel authorisation (eTA application). Finding the right visa agency nearly became a pain but was simplified thanks to Ethiopia Airlines. In the end we didn’t need a visa agency, the eTA applications took all of fifteen minutes and cost ZAR 0. This was impressive, but more impressive was the eTAs approved in just 30 minutes. Okay, Kenya!!
Welcome to Moi International Airport, Mombasa
Finding the right travel dates and connecting flights to maximise our time in Mombasa was a hassle. I connected through Addis Ababa (Ethiopia Airlines) while Barbie connected through Nairobi (Kenya Airways) arriving three hours earlier than me.
| Barbie (Kenya Airways) | Ken (Ethiopia Airlines) | |
| Flight 1 (11 July 2024) | 0115 SAST, four hour flight | 0325 AST, three hour flight |
| Flight 2 | 0800 EAT, one hour flight | 0920 EAT, two hour flight |
| Flight 3 (14 July 2024) | 1645 EAT | 1850 EAT |
| Flight 4 | 2100 EAT | 2235 EAT |
We initially booked hotel accommodation by Bamburi beach in Mombasa but cancelled once we figured out Diani was the place to be. This was an inspired choice as our villa in Diani gave premium baecation – it was peaceful, private, and in proximity (ten minute walk) to Diani beach.
Reuniting with Barbie
I literally run into Barbie’s arms when I cleared immigration and customs. It all seemed worth it, hugging and kissing Barbie. This was a special moment for us – our first baecation and it was in motion.
Our driver Jackson took us through Mombasa, giving us history tidbits on Mombasa island, Kenya’s capital switch from Mombasa to Nairobi, and popular tourist locations in Mombasa. I laughed – being called a tourist on African soil is a strange concept, but it was accurate. The ferry crossing from Mombasa Island to mainland Mombasa slowed things down, giving Barbie and I a chance to breathe and soak in the moment. Barbie and Ken were really in Mombasa. Amazing!
The one-hour drive to Diani was mostly countryside, spotted with smaller towns such as Tiwi. Once we arrived in Ukunda, we stopped at the shops to stock up on grocery, alcohol, and flu medication supplies, eliminating any reason to deviate from the itinerary.
Check in was smooth, we got to unpacking and planning our itinerary for the next three days. Thursday night was relaxed – Ken and Barbie catching up over dinner, listening to smooth jams, Salty Squid beachfront with a bottle of bubbly, lots of laughter, just easy vibes…
Friday at Mombasa Market
Friday morning was wet and rainy. The plan was Mombasa market and that wasn’t going to change. We booked our taxi and off we went. It was a gloomy drive into Mombasa. Initially this looked like a bad decision but it was genius actually – touring old town Mombasa in the heat and humidity would have sucked
The actual bad decision was wearing cream colours and navigating through the mud and puddles of old town. Luckily I managed to keep it clean. We were guided on tour by Peter Tolle, who wonderfully narrated Mombasa’s history and took every opportunity to immerse us in Mombasa’s street culture.
Back to Diani and it was dinner at Ali Barbours cave restaurant – located in a 120,000 year old cave that took al fresco (open air) dining to another level. Mombasa island ferry crossing was chaotic, making us late for our 830pm reservation. Had we arrived later than the fifteen-minute grace period, our reservation would have been cancelled. Back to the moment, Ali Barbours was very classy, Barbie and Ken looked the part and we fetched premium baecation vibes.
Saturday at the beach
Saturday morning comes and it’s yet another rainy morning. Today was meant to be full of beach vibes so we were really worried. But again, we forced the issue. We picked our best beach wear, stepped out of the villa like bombshells on Love Island and confidently walked to the beach. It had stopped raining, all we needed were clear skies.
And wow, we got it. Amazing luck! Within two minutes on the beach we were recruited for a boat cruise. Of course Barbie and Ken said yes. Before then we patrolled the beachfront taking bombshell-level photos. The boat cruise was equally rewarding – rooftop sunbathing, sunkissed skin, conversations with the crew, sipping smuggled alcohol…
Back to dry land and it was time to rest. It was our last evening in Diani so catching serious party vibes was the last item on our itinerary. Diani, let’s go! First stop, Manyatta at 1130pm. Total total disco vibes. This is where you come to get lit anytime of the night. DJ was turnt, crowd was fully locked in and the drinks were flowing. All requirements to have the time of your life were present.
But we couldn’t stay long, there was another location to discover. Full Moon! We heard so much about Full Moon and we were eager to check it out. We got to Full Moon at 1am and it was mega. VIP section was balling, DJ had the dance floor on fire, and Afrobeats and Amapiano had the crowd buzzing – groovy chaos if you ask me. Full Moon was living up to the hype. Barbie and Ken didn’t waste time. We got right into fetching party vibes and vibing to Afro and Piano. It was absolutely amazing.
Barbie spent the rest of the night on the dance floor. I kicked it in VIP, sipping slow and vibing to lyrics. We got home at 630am
Sunday at last last
Sunday was a day for tears, sweet nothings, and last views of Diani. I don’t need to say much else.
Final reflections
Mombasa was a fantastic destination to visit. It has a complex and fascinating history, filled with welcoming and hardworking people. Specifically, Diani was exquisite and full of simple, explosive experiences. Mombasa is worth the visit, it should definitely go onto your travel list.
Here’s a rundown of the total budget:
| ZAR currency | USD currency | |
| Visa | ZAR 0 | USD 0 |
| Flight tickets | ZAR 27,000 | USD 1,500 |
| Accommodation | ZAR 7,800 | USD 435 |
| Transportation | ZAR 3,335 | USD 185 |
| Groceries | ZAR 1,000 | USD 55 |
| Restaurant | ZAR 5,500 | USD 305 |
| Activities | ZAR 3,800 | USD 211 |
| Alcohol | ZAR 800 | USD 45 |
| Additional | ZAR 1,000 | USD 55 |
| Total | ~ZAR 50,000 per couple | ~USD 2,780 per couple |
What’s next for Barbie and Ken?? Well we’re not sure at the moment. There’s a lot of change happening in life. What we will say is, Chefchaouen can give romance so maybe North Africa will be seeing us soon.
Follow me on social media and stay tuned to discover and live new destinations with Barbie and Ken.
