Fort Jesus In Mombasa Gets Tourism Boost Through Butterflies

THE Fort Jesus and Old Town in Mombasa is set to have an additional attraction that may bring in up to 70,000 tourists annually, once a butterfly exhibit is opened at the monument. The National Museums of Kenya's Mombasa butterfly exhibit project manager Antony Githitho the project, which is collaboration between the USAID and the NMK, will soon be open to the public at the Fort Jesus grounds.

"It is designed to provide an additional attraction for visitors and locals in Mombasa and will also showcase the rich and varied biodiversity of the coast region.’ The official said the project, which has so far cost Sh45 million was started in 2005. It is anticipated that the facility will be a popular venue and meet its objectives of enhancing conservation awareness and supporting livelihoods.

"These are already essential destinations for tourists and visitors to Mombasa which the exhibit will supplement with a 'nature' experience. However, it will not only showcase coastal biological treasures but also their value and links to local communities." The building will be completed and inaugurated this month but work on it will continue and the exhibit is expected to open to the public in the second half of 2012, according to the NMK official.

"The exhibit is located in the Research Institute of Swahili Studies of Eastern Africa, Swahili Cultural Center compound behind the historic fort and next to Mombasa Hospital but will be approached mainly from the fort," he added. The project will include a butterfly flight cage with biodiversity conservation story boards and a gift shop. Live butterflies will be released into flight cage for visitors to admire and enjoy.

"The butterflies will be produced by local coastal communities. The gift shop will specialize in cultural and natural products from conservation areas and Mombasa Old Town. In addition to the butterfly house, the grounds have been landscaped for increased enjoyment of this scenic spot. There is an amphitheater for outdoor performances and meetings with attractive views of Tudor Channel and the open sea," he said.