Bagamoyo Historic City Tanzania, Africa
It is a historic coastal town and capital of Bagamoyo District in the Pwani Region of Tanzania. Much of the settlement was founded at the end of the 18th century, though it is an extension of a much older (8th century) Swahili settlement, Kaole. It was chosen as the capital of German East Africa by the German colonial administration., It became one of the most important trading ports for the Germans along the East African coast and the west of the Indian Ocean in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Bagamoyo lies 75 kilometers (47 miles) north of Dar-es-Salaam on the coast of the Zanzibar Channel, across from the island of Zanzibar. The town hosts Bagamoyo Historic Town, a National Historic Site of Tanzania.
Bagamoyo Historic City
Bagamoyo is home to world-class historical sites and is one of UNESCO’s world heritage sites. Its rich cultural heritage is waiting to be explored.
This town was once the 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 worldwide.
The town of Bagamoyo was one of the most important trading ports on the East African coast and the penultimate stop of enslaved persons and ivory caravans traveling on foot from Lake Tanganyika to Zanzibar. Missionaries active in abolishing the slave trade made Bagamoyo, whose name means ‘bury my heart’ in Kiswahili, a center 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 enslaved persons and ivory caravans that traveled on foot from Lake Tanganyika. Once the caravans reached Bagamoyo, the enslaved people and ivory were shipped by dhow to Zanzibar, where they were then dispatched all over the world. These days, Bagamoyo is a center of dhow building in the region and along the Tanzanian Coast.
Bagamoyo Offers The Following Tours
• Bagamoyo Stone Town tour
• Bagamoyo Biking tours
• Kaole ruins tour
• Crocodiles farm tour
• Visits to Caravan Serai Museum
• Visits to the Catholic Old ChuMuseumMuseum
• Mangrove forest tour
• Fish with local fishermen
• Marine tours
• Visit Ngome kong
• Visit to the Old port
• Fish market tour
• The white sand beach
• Explore Coral reef
• Visit Slave prison
• 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
Overviews
Bagamoyo Catholic Church & Museum tour
You will visit the Old tower of the first Catholic Church in East Africa, one of the Oldest Baobab trees, Cemeteries (Catholic, German, and Indian), Dr. Livingstone tower, the Old Fathers’ house, and the Cross at the beach. ExplorMuseummuseum has information about the slave trade, missionaries, the people’s lives, and some collections of artifacts of the indigenous tribes.
Mwambakuni coral reef tour (1-3 hours)
During your marine experience, explore the Mwambakuni coral reef and listen to stories about local people’s beliefs about coral reefs and their uses.
Crocodile Farm Tour (2-5 hours)
Visit a crocodile farm and learn how these wild predators are kept. You will learn about their social behaviors, growth, live capture techniques, feeding/hunting techniques, and local uses of various products.
Mapopo Island Tour (2-5 hours)
Take an evening or morning boat tour to Mapopo Island, where thousands of bats inhabit the island. Learn about the bats’ lives and the ecological importance of these flying mammals.
Ruvu River cruising (2-3 hours)
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 the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. Get to know how locals fish in the rivers and various uses of river water.
Fishing with local fishermen Experience (1-2 hours)
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 lunch or dinner.
Learn how to prepare traditional Swahili food.
Participate in cooking Swahili dishes with local Swahili Mamas of Kaole village.
Visit Bagamoyo College of Arts (1-2 hours)
The Bagamoyo College of Arts (“Chuo cha Sanaa”) is an internationally famous arts college in Tanzania. It teaches traditional Tanzanian painting, sculpture, drama, dancing, and drumming. The college organizes monthly cultural events, and people are freely invited to participate.
Local Home visits (1-2 hours)
Visit a local home to learn how coastal communities live. Listen to stories and share your time with local people by engaging in various home chores/daily activities.
Getting there
Bagamoyo is located 75 kms North of Dar-es-salaam, 1-1.5 hours drive.
