Bagamoyo

This town was once a most important trading port along the East African Coast and a German East Africa Capital. Bagamoyo is home to many ethnic groups, including the Wakwere, Wazaramo and Wazigua. Different cultures including people of Arab descent coexist in Bagamoyo making the town a peaceful and friendly place for visitors from all over the world.

The town of Bagamoyo was one of the most important trading ports on the East African coast and the penultimate stop of slave and ivory caravans travelling on foot from Lake Tanganyika on their way to Zanzibar. Missionaries active in abolishing the slave trade made Bagamoyo, whose name means ‘bury my heart’ in Kiswahili, a centre for their activities.

Bagamoyo is a quiet village with a few German colonial buildings still standing. In the past, the town of Bagamoyo was one of the most important trading ports on the entire East African coast. Its port was the penultimate stop of slave and ivory caravans that travelled on foot all the way from Lake Tanganyika. Once the caravans reached Bagamoyo, the slaves and ivory were shipped by dhow to Zanzibar, where they were then dispatched all over the world. These days, Bagamoyo is a centre of dhow building in the region and along the Tanzanian Coast.

THE HISTORICAL TOWN OF BAGAMOYO OFFERS THESE TOURS;

Bagamoyo Stone Town tour: (day tour) Visit the German Colonial Administrative block, Art market, Old post office, 1st Tanzania Primary School, Old Mosques, Hanging tower, Caravan Serai Museum and the fish market. On your walk along the Indian Ocean beach visit a centre for dhow sailboat building and get to know how local people builds boats.

Kaole Ruins tour (2 ~ 3 hrs) Kaole village formally known as ‘Pumbuji’ is one of the oldest villages that immigrants from Arabic countries choose as they landed on East Africa’s coast. The village has ruins dating back to 13th Century. It is in this village where Sultan of Oman preferred to settle and construct administrative and military headquarters.

Crocodiles farm tour: (2 ~ 4 hrs) Visit a crocodile farm and learn how these wild predators are kept. Get to know their social behaviors, growth, live capture techniques, feeding/hunting techniques and local uses of various products.

Visits to Caravan Serai Museum (1 ~ 2 hrs) This is where caravan parties assembled and stocked up before trekking to the interior.

Visits to Catholic Old Church & Museum (2 ~ 3 hrs) Visit the Old tower of the first Catholic Church in East Africa, one of the Oldest Baobab tree, Cemeteries (Catholic, German and Indian), Dr. Livingstone tower, Old Fathers’ house and the Cross at the beach. Explore the museum with information about the slave trade, missionaries, life of the people and some collections of artifacts of the indigenous tribes

Visit Old German Fort (Ngome kongwe) (2 ~ 3 hrs) The Old Fort in Bagamoyo, Tanzania is one of the historic building built by an Arab trader; Abdallah Sulleiman, during the 1860s. By then, it was a stand-alone two-storey building in Bagamoyo and continue to be used as a residential house until the 1880s.

Visit Old German Boma (1 ~ 2 hrs) The Old Boma in Bagamoyo, situated along the central coast of Tanzania, was built by the Germans in 1895. The BOMA served as administrative headquarters for German East Africa until 1919.

The Von Wissman Tower: The Von Wissman Tower of Bagamoyo with 26.9 Square meter, was erected by Major Von Wissmann, a German East African Commander in 1889. It was a strategic point to control Slavery and Slave trade from the interior of Tanganyika. This was an implementation of the Berlin Conference (1884 - 1885) through which it was agreed that all colonies should stop Slave trade in their Areas of influence.

Fishing with Local Fisherman: (1 ~ 4 hrs) Come and join a team of experienced village fishermen for a fishing experience. Do your best to fish what will be prepared for you during your lunch or dinner.

Mapopo Island: (2 ~ 5 hrs) Take an evening or Morning boat tour to Mapopo Island where thousands of bats have inhabited the island. Get to know the bat’s life and ecological importance of these flying mammals.

Ruvu River Cruising: (2 ~ 3 hrs) Take a boat ride to explore crocodiles, hippos and various birds along the Ruvu River that flows from the Uluguru Mountains and some parts of Southern Highlands of Tanzania. Get to know how locals fish in the rivers and various used of river water.

Mwakambuni Coral reef: On your marine experience explore Mwambakuni coral reef and listen to stories about local peoples beliefs on coral reefs and its uses

Visit to College of Arts: Located about 500m southeast of Bagamoyo along the road to Dar es Salaam is this renowned theatre and arts college, home of the national dance company. When school is in session there are occasional performances, and it’s usually possible to arrange drumming or dancing lessons. Get an Opportunity to visit the art market, artists at work and learn how to do sculpture, fine art and Makonde Carving.

Others: Mangrove forest tour

Fish with local fishermen

Marine tours

Bagamoyo Biking tours

Visit to the Old port

Fish Market tour

Visit Art market

Traditional Swahili Massage

Hair braiding

Cultural celebrations and events

Swahili traditional weddings

Swahili music performances and Traditional dances

Swahili music band entertainments

Swahili traditional games