What are the Mombasa Butterfly House opening hours?

Daily 8:30am to 5:30pm (reported). Busiest: Weekends and cruise-ship days.

What is the best time to visit Mombasa Butterfly House?

Morning, before the fort gets busy. It is busiest Weekends and cruise-ship days.

How do you get to Mombasa Butterfly House?

About 10 minutes from the centre of Mombasa Island. Ride-hailing: Taxi or ride-hail to Fort Jesus; walk in from the main gate. Public transport: Matatu to Mombasa town, then a short walk to Old Town Inside the Fort Jesus grounds on Nkrumah Road, Mombasa Old Town.

Mombasa Butterfly House in Mombasa Old Town (Fort Jesus), Mombasa: Tickets, Hours and Family Guide

Animals and wildlife in Mombasa Old Town (Fort Jesus), Mombasa

Photo: Auto-generated feature card

A small butterfly house inside the Fort Jesus grounds in Old Town Mombasa, with live butterflies in a planted enclosure and signs on their life cycle.

📍 Location

Mombasa Butterfly House, Fort Jesus grounds, Nkrumah Road, Mombasa Old Town, Mombasa Old Town (Fort Jesus), Mombasa

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What is Mombasa Butterfly House?

The Mombasa Butterfly House sits within the Fort Jesus grounds in Mombasa Old Town, a short walk from the fort's main gate. Inside a netted, planted enclosure, live butterflies fly among flowering shrubs, with pupae and displays explaining their life cycle.

It is a small, quiet attraction that takes under an hour and pairs naturally with the fort and the Old Town. Entry is charged separately from the fort unless you buy the combined ticket.

The house keeps live coastal butterflies in a planted enclosure and presents them as a conservation and education attraction.

Family cost snapshot: KES 300 for 2 resident adults + 2 resident childrenResident adults KES 100 each. Resident children KES 50 each. Non-resident families pay KES 1,500 for the same group (500 × 2 adults + 250 × 2 children). Food, activities and rentals are extra.

Mombasa Butterfly House ticket prices 2026

Visitor type	Adult	Child
Kenya / East African resident	KES 100	KES 50
Non-resident	KES 500	KES 250

Citizen adult about KSh 100 and child about KSh 50; residents about KSh 200 and KSh 100; non-residents about KSh 500 and KSh 250. A combined Fort Jesus and Butterfly House ticket is KSh 650 adult and KSh 400 child under 2026 National Museums rates.

Family cost calculator

Estimate your total visit cost in seconds. Set your family size, choose your residency status and add optional extras. The calculator uses the same rates shown above.

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Residency status

Kenya / East African resident Non-resident

AdultsAdult rate

ChildrenChild rate

Total

Estimates only, based on the rates above. Extras vary.

💡 Money-saving tips for families

Combined ticket Fort Jesus plus Butterfly House costs less than two separate tickets | eCitizen

Is it right for your child's age?

Age group	Verdict	What to expect
0-2 years	Okay	Short visit in a carrier \| 3-5 years

Key details

Address: Mombasa Butterfly House, Fort Jesus grounds, Nkrumah Road, Mombasa Old Town, Mombasa
Opening hours: Daily 8:30am to 5:30pm (reported)
How long to plan: 30 to 45 minutes
Suitable ages: All ages
Phone: +254 795 885 294

What to expect when you visit

Walk through the netted enclosure slowly and look for butterflies on flowers and fruit feeders. Staff are usually on hand to point out pupae and emerging adults.

The house is small, so 30 to 45 minutes is enough. Combine it with the fort to make a half day.

Family essentials

Safety notes: Paths inside the enclosure can be narrow and the ground uneven. Keep children from opening nets or handling butterflies, and watch for steps in the fort grounds.

Tickets and costs

Free entry rules: No
Extra costs (activities, rentals, food): Combined Fort Jesus ticket, guide

Plan your visit

Best time to visit: Morning, before the fort gets busy
Busiest times: Weekends and cruise-ship days
How to get there: Inside the Fort Jesus grounds on Nkrumah Road, Mombasa Old Town.
By car: About 10 minutes from the centre of Mombasa Island
Uber / Bolt estimate: Taxi or ride-hail to Fort Jesus; walk in from the main gate
Public transport: Matatu to Mombasa town, then a short walk to Old Town
Combine with: Fort Jesus | Kibarani Recreation Park
What to bring: Water | Camera | Sun hat | Cash or card for tickets

What to pack

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Family day bag checklist

Water Camera Sun hat Cash or card for tickets

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Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to visit Mombasa Butterfly House?: Kenya and East African resident adults pay KES 100 and resident children pay KES 50. Non-resident adults pay KES 500 and non-resident children pay KES 250. Citizen adult about KSh 100 and child about KSh 50; residents about KSh 200 and KSh 100; non-residents about KSh 500 and KSh 250. A combined Fort Jesus and Butterfly House ticket is KSh 650 adult and KSh 400 child under 2026 National Museums rates.
What are the Mombasa Butterfly House opening hours?: Daily 8:30am to 5:30pm (reported). Busiest: Weekends and cruise-ship days.
How long do you need at Mombasa Butterfly House?: Plan for 30 to 45 minutes.
What is the best time to visit Mombasa Butterfly House?: Morning, before the fort gets busy. It is busiest Weekends and cruise-ship days.
How do you get to Mombasa Butterfly House?: About 10 minutes from the centre of Mombasa Island. Ride-hailing: Taxi or ride-hail to Fort Jesus; walk in from the main gate. Public transport: Matatu to Mombasa town, then a short walk to Old Town Inside the Fort Jesus grounds on Nkrumah Road, Mombasa Old Town.