PHOTO OR SELFIE TAKING AT THE FAMOUS MOMBASA ELEPHANT TUSKS

Have you ever looked for a breathtaking background in the city to commemorate your vacation? The giant elephant tusks on Moi Avenue in Mombasa will catch your eye. These elephant tusks in Swahili are known as ‘pembe za ndovu.’ These tusks are among the most famous historical monuments in Mombasa. The thrill of being in this city is to take a picture or a selfie with these tusks. The tusks were built using thin metal sheets in 1952 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to the coastal town. First, they were made of would and were to be later removed once the Queen’s visit was over, but it was shelved. Then, in 1956, Princess Margaret visited the coastal city, and the Mombasa Municipal Council decided to revamp the elephant tusks using aluminum and white paint, making them more pleasing to the eye and water-resistant. Their fame increased when US Marines volunteered to paint them whenever they visited the coastal town. Later, they became an essential symbol of traveling agencies who began linking their activities to these tusks.

Next to these elephant tusks is the Uhuru Gardens, where tourists and locals flock to relax and enjoy nature. The most common activity around these tusks is photography, as there is no other way to tell someone you visited Mombasa without taking a photo with the tusks. It is free to view the monument as it is located on the street, with the roads passing under the tusks; therefore, it is very hard not to catch them. They are essentially located on the road leading tourists into the town; therefore, they symbolize welcome to visitors. Please do not deny yourself a chance to take a memorable photo with these tusks, as you also form part of its history. Therefore, take a trip to Mombasa and get a vibrant experience with these tusks.