Bagamoyo

Overview

Bagamoyo is located to the north of Dar es Salaam, the business capital of Tanzania. Found in the late 18th century, the ancient slave harbor was recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in order to preserve and maintain the colonial era’s magnificent Gothic and Afro-Arabic architectures. Bagamoyo deserves to be remembered in world history for its historic value as an entry point for Arab and European missionaries, explorers, and traders in East and Central Africa.

Where to go in Bagamoyo?

Bagamoyo Town: Also known as Stone Town (Mji Mkongwe) among the locals, the Bagamoyo Town is well worth exploring. The site boasts a long history of the ancient buildings which were constructed during the German colonial era. The German boma, for example, was built in 1897, and Liku House, which served as the German administrative headquarters.

Other interesting features found in Bagamoyo Town

Bagamoyo Port
The old slave market
German custom house (built in 1895) along the beach
The first multiracial school which dates from the late 19^thcentury
Situated further south is the Old Fort which dates back from the mid-19^th century.

Activities and Excutions in Bagamoyo?

The Kaole Ruins

Situated on the southeast of Bagamoyo District, are the Kaole ruins featuring the remains of a 13^th-century mosque which is believed to be one of the oldest both in Tanzania and East African region.

The mosque is said to have been built before Bagamoyo had assumed any significance and when the Sultan of Kilwa held sway over coastal trade.

Other interesting features of the Kaole Ruins

Old coral stone ruins (dating to a period between the 13^th and 16^th century).
30 tombs built from coral stones
A museum (exposing some artifacts from the ruins)

Caravan Serai Museum

The museum is found within the Bagamoyo district. It’s about 75 kilometers northwest from the commercial capital city of Dar es Salaam and bordering the Indian Ocean on the west side.

The museum features a very significant history of slave trade and other valuable commodities such as ivory during the colonial era. It was a special area where slaves would reach before transported to Zanzibar Island which was even the biggest slave market in all East Africa.

Special features found in Caravan Museum

Remains of archeological research of 2002
Slave trade and Ivory history
Slave sculpture
Well with natural water
Culture of the coastal indigenous

Activities at the Caravan Museum

Learn the history of slave trade and ivory
Photography
Documentaries
Conduct archeological research

Other places to visit in Bagamoyo

The Catholic Museum: dates from the 1868 establishment of freedom village.
College of Arts: featuring the annual Bagamoyo Arts Festival held in September or October