Mombasa

Mombasa is the second largest city in Kenya, lying on the Indian Ocean. The town is mainly occupied by the Muslim Mijikenda/Swahili people. Over the centuries there have been many immigrants and traders who settled in Mombasa, particularly from Persia and the Middle East and Indian sub-continent who came mainly as traders and skilled craftsmen. After being controlled by Portugal and Britain, Mombasa was part of the state of Zanzibar until 1963 when it was ceded to be incorporated into the newly independent state of Kenya.

The following Shore Excursions are available for this port on this cruise, and may be reserved beginning 180 days before the cruise begins.

Ngomongo Villages Eco-Cultural Experience
Tour Code: MOM-014
Duration: 3 hours
Retail Value: $129.00
Price: Free

This tour is geared toward those wishing to gain an insight into how the various coastal tribes in Kenya live.

Once, only the arid, sun-baked and rocky base of a former limestone mine, Ngomongo Villages is today a well-known and sustainable eco-cultural tourist village. The floor of this quarry was barely five feet above the slightly salty water table until Dr. Frederick Gikandi, a local medical doctor started single-handedly reclaiming the quarry by planting 4 acres of eighty different indigenous trees. This was later followed by his planting the much easier to grow casuarina trees. To raise awareness of the importance of tree planting, the public was invited to join in the reclamation process.

This exceptional quarry now features nine diverse rural Kenya villagers, each with a niche of forest that displays his true "culture" and "rural home replica". Among the things they display are huts, utensils, gardens and the crops they grow in their specific rural area. The gardens were made by clearing patches of the new forest, loosening the coral and then putting a 4" soil and manure cover over which various unique tribal crops are cultivated. The land, which was once a lifeless wasteland, now has a rich diversity of life.

You will begin your tour at the pier and head north toward the villages where upon arrival, you will be welcomed and then split into smaller groups before commencing your guided tour. Take this opportunity to meet the Kikuyu, El-molo, Turkana, Maasai, Pokot, Mijikenda, Kalenjin, Kamba, Taita and Luo people and perhaps try your hand at their cultural activities, such as archery, rafting and dancing. Your guide will point out to you all the different cultures as you are led throughout the villages.

Following this one-of-a-kind experience, you will make your way to the main arena/restaurant area where you will be treated to a thirst-quenching drink before re-boarding your coach for the transfer back to the pier.

Please note: This tour includes approximately 90 minutes of moderate walking over unpaved and at times, rugged terrain. The tour is not available to guests who utilize a wheelchair and is not recommended for those guests with mobility concerns. Conservative, light weight clothing, comfortable, flat walking shoes, sun caps, sunglasses and sunscreen are suggested.

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Terms & Conditions:

Free Unlimited Shore Excursions are for full fare guests only, capacity controlled and subject to availability. Requested excursions may not be available at time of booking. Supplement will apply on Regent Choice excursions (indicated by the above) and excludes Private Arrangements and all Adventures Ashore programs. In order to ensure quality guides and sufficient transportation, we must provide the tour operator with passenger counts at least 36 hours in advance. Therefore no refunds will be given within 36 hours of tour departure for cancellations or no-shows. Please pay special attention to scheduling and tour lengths when booking your shore excursions. In many cases, it is not possible to participate in more than one tour per day in a given port. Tours operate rain or shine. Tours require minimum participation levels to operate so please sign up as early as possible. Tours may be cancelled if minimum participation levels are not met. Prices, Itineraries and General Information shore excursion prices are subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases or currency fluctuations. Please consult the Destination Services Desk onboard for information. During local or national holidays, access to certain facilities (such as museums or archaeological sites) may be limited or denied. In such instances, adjustments will be made to minimize inconvenience to guests. Some tours have limited availability. Tours are generally available for reserving 180 days prior to the beginning of a cruise. Please sign up early to avoid disappointment. Regent Seven Seas Cruises reserves the right to require guests to complete a liability waiver for select shore excursions. For more information, please visit the Destination Services Desk onboard.