Jumba La Mtwana Travel Guide: Top Sights in Kenya, Tours & Travel

⁰

Jumba La Mtwana- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Historical & Cultural; Kenya; 5 Reviews

+3 Photos

Suggested Duration: 2 hours

Jumba la Mtwana, located in Kilifi along the Kenyan coast, is an intriguing archaeological site featuring the remains of a 14th-century Swahili settlement. Approximately 15 kilometers north of Mombasa, the site includes four mosques, a tomb, and several houses such as the House of the Cylinder and the Great Mosque. The village, which was primarily inhabited by Muslims, offers insight into the coastal Swahili culture. Excavations in 1972 by James Kirkman revealed that the town was likely chosen for its fresh water supply, cooling breezes, and secure location. Despite its abandonment in the early 15th century, Jumba la Mtwana remains a significant historical landmark and was declared a National Monument in 1982.

Operators offering tours in Kenya

Attractions in Mombasa

Diani Beach

Fort Jesus

4.4

Haller Park

4.2

Nyali Beach

4.8

Mamba Village Centre

4.4

Mombasa Marine

Shimba Hills

Old Town

Reviews of Jumba La Mtwana

Tony Mwati

5
Reviewed: 2024-10-01

Located in Shanzu Mtwapa,this historical site is one to behold, the ruins and extensive learning you get to learn about different trees and how they are used by the community just explains why we are told that learning never stops. The entrance fee is 100 kshs per adult and 50 kshs per child for Kenyan citizens which is paid via ecitizen. After walking around the ruins you can walk to the beach and enjoy the views. They also have a restaurant,Moonsoon restaurant that you can drink or eat something during your visit here.
Gabi Fuerst

5
Reviewed: 2024-07-27

We visited the jumba ruins in mtwapa and for me was it very interesting coz i like the history and archaeology . Many thanks to the tour guide Kevin. He gave us very clear infos about the swahili history at coast in kenya and showed us all the places on that ruins I was very pleased. Its very important to watch that area with the old trees and the wonderful beach.
ambale sharon

4
Reviewed: 2024-07-11

Perfect place for nature and beach lovers though the beach is not so clean.Entrance fee is affordable but kindly download e-citizen because all payments are made through the app and it can give you a hard time starting the process from scratch.I enjoyed the visit😊
CLAIRÉ.A. MURUNGA

5
Reviewed: 2024-04-24

History is a huge part of who we are as a country. And Kenya has it all, loved learning more about the 1300 AD people to what is now our culture! Their ways of life that lead us to the civilization we have today. I have many pictures of this place but I'll let you all learn about it when you visit. Leads you straight into the beach PS: The lady at the entrance was such a sweetheart
Diana Charo

4
Reviewed: 2023-08-23

I had never heard of this place before 😆😆😆 so, after it was mentioned to me, I decided to visit so that I could stop being the only one in Mombasa who had never been there ....lol 😂 The reception was lovely though the payment process was long. You have to pay for you to enter the place, it's affordable 😉. There is a guide person who will be taking you round the place and giving you more information about things at the place. It's a good place to have a picnic because there is also a beach which you can access once you've paid the entrance fee. Good and amazing place to take pictures if you have a camera or a good phone 🤣🤣. The place is big with just remains of houses where others are labelled while others aren't. The place is historical because even the trees at that place look way older than I am or will be in the next 20 years 😁. There are dustbins around places so that the place can always be clean at all times, like no disposing of dirt around. Next time I'll be visiting the place with a lot of my friends and show them around and take cool pictures . N/B - The beach should be cleaned though, it was very dirty when I was there.