Bagamoyo
Bagamoyo, Once The Terminus Of The East African Slave And Ivory Caravan Route And The German Colonial Capital, With The Caravan Serai, The Old Fort, The Old Boma And Catholic Mission Museum, And The 13th Century Kaole Ruins. On UNESCO'S Tentative List. The Bagamoyo Arts College And A Festival Of Arts Are Held Here. · Bagamoyo, Pwani
Bagamoyo is a small Swahili port town on the Indian Ocean about 75 km north of Dar es Salaam. The name comes from bwaga moyo, 'lay down your heart', and it was the end of the caravan road where ivory and enslaved people were walked to the coast and shipped to Zanzibar. The old town keeps a caravan serai, an Omani fort, German colonial offices and the 1868 Catholic mission, where Livingstone's body rested in 1874. The Kaole ruins, 13th-14th century Swahili mosques and tombs, lie just south. It is on UNESCO's tentative list. The honest picture: this is a HALF-DAY HISTORY TRIP from Dar es Salaam, not a reason to cross the country. Many buildings are crumbling, the beaches are only average, and the road is busy. Another coastal town would be a fair swap if you only want sand. Go for the story, the dhow harbour and the arts college. Plan roughly four to five hours on the ground, enough for the main sights, bring cash, dress modestly, and carry water, because shade is scarce and the sun is strong by late morning. Go with an open mind.
Historic Swahili port town on the Indian Ocean coast about 75 km north of Dar es Salaam, with the old town, the Caravan Serai and the Kaole ruins, Bagamoyo, Pwani, Tanzania
The old town streets are open all day and free to walk. Museums and the Kaole ruins keep daytime hours and may CLOSE for lunch or on public holidays. The fish market is busiest at dawn. During Ramadan some food stalls are CLOSED by day. Confirm times locally.