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TOURS IN BAGAMOYO

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AUTHENTIC TOURS & PERSONALIZED EXCURSIONS AROUND BAGAMOYO WITH AFRICANMECCA

History left its mark on Bagamoyo long before the 18th century. If you go sightsee the Nunge Salt Fields, you will learn that close to these sites is the Mkandini, where Sassania-Islamic pottery from the 9th century was unearthed. And salt, being a valuable commodity contributed to the importance of Bagamoyo. One of the best places to visit is the Kaole Ruins at the south of the town; here, you will see traces of the Mongol invasion of 1256.

There are two mosques, the Northern and the Southern and cemeteries with tombs and pillars. In no other location outside Eastern Africa will you see cemeteries sited next to Muslim places of prayer. Also at this archaeological interest site, you will see the vestiges of a stone structure where Chinese pottery, ceramic beads and other items have been found indicating Bagamoyo’s ties with ancient Asian civilization.

One of the things to do is to walk through the Makaburini Mwana Makuka Cemetery where you will find evidence that the affluent Muslim African clans from other local areas were also among the first native emigrants into Bagamoyo. Some of the tombs have legible dates of 1793 and 1813 while others have a structure around them pointing to the possibility that the people buried here might have been religiously revered or otherwise significant.

A. S. Mahrabi who built the Old Fort in Bagamoyo, also built the Old Arab Tea House (must see local attractions), probably even before the beginning of the 19th century (read more on when is the best time to go to Bagamoyo). Originally erected to house a shop and a guesthouse, the building was also used as a hospital. A sprawling structure with many rooms, the Germans continued to use it as a hospital, but the British converted it into a bank and used the upper floor as their offices.

Today, it has been restored and is used by the local administration of Bagamoyo. India Street also dubbed by the Germans as “Kaiserstrasse” has many historical structures located on it. Visit the street and you will see the first Post and Telegraph Bureau in East Africa. Also on this street, is the Boma, considered being among the most significant structures in East Africa. It was first built in 1895-97 as an official base and residence for the German Colonial Governor. Having several rooms, it has been changed by its different owners and natural elements but has now been restored by the government of Tanzania.

The Liku House is yet another good point of interest structure on India Street sited close to the Public Garden. Constructed by an Asian trader, it was later used by the Germans for their offices and homes. Do take the time on your Bagamoyo excursion to visit the Public Garden also. Stretching from the Boma to the beach, it was known for its sports arenas and flower beds (read more on where to stay in Bagamoyo with AfricanMecca).

You will find vestiges of the slave trade at many locations in Bagamoyo. The Customs House is sited close to the harbour, and since it has a stone walkway leading from the seaside into the main hall, it may be safe to assume that slaves were once walked to the dhows for loading. The Customs House finds mention in the records of Richard Burton, who talks about the Indian Chief of Customs in 1857.

Local lore has it that slaves were auctioned off under a tree in the Old Market and an underground tunnel lead from here to the beach through which slaves were walked after being blindfolded, to be seated in the dhows. The present day Old Market was actually built by the Germans in place of the ancient one. The Caravan Serai served as a base for caravans traveling to and carrying cargo from the interiors of Africa, and at the time, there were large courtyards with pens to house animals and other structures for porters.

Historical records also show that there were camps where slaves were kept. Today, it houses a tourist information center office and the Antiquities Office of Bagamoyo. Everywhere you look you will see strong traces of the colonial past of Bagamoyo. For example, you can tour the German Colonial Cemetery and the German Block House. It was built by Major Wissman during the freedom struggle led by Bushiri in 1889 as a defence post for the western entrance to the town.

In all, Wissman built five such towers to defend Bagamoyo. In memory of Bushiri and his followers who were hanged to death by the Germans, a monument has been erected in the vicinity of the Badeco Beach Hotel called the Hanging Place. Then, there are also the Bagamoyo District Hospital and the Mwambao Primary School financially donated by philanthropic Sewa Haji, both constructed during the colonial era and now renovated so that they are fully functional.

If you are a connoisseur of seafood, you might want to trip out to the Fish Market of Bagamoyo where the catch of the day is auctioned off every day after the fishing dhows return. You might also find that some of the catch is cooked and eaten right there but not recommended for non-native stomachs.
WHERE TO STAY IN BAGAMOYO
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WHERE TO STAY IN BAGAMOYO

We recommend the distinct Lazy Lagoon Lodge, located on a small island off Bagamoyo, for a discerning barefoot private island experience. Spend your days relaxing, kayaking, swimming, sunbathing.

GUIDE ON BAGAMOYO
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GUIDE ON BAGAMOYO

Visit Bagamoyo for a cultural, historic and beach tour and you will be struck by the serenity of this town having experienced a brutal past. Time seems to have passed it and left it untouched but hurt.

BEST TIME TO VISIT BAGAMOYO
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BEST TIME TO VISIT BAGAMOYO

The months of June through October are a great time to visit because this is the dry season. At this time, the skies are clear and the waters of the sea are a stunning deep blue with contrasting azure.

AFRICANMECCA REVIEWS

What are our Customers saying about us? READ MORE REVIEWSfive star africanmecca safaris reviews

  • I really cannot say enough good things about AfricanMecca- they made my holiday stress free and it really was a week spent in paradise. I will use them again for my travels to this region. Raza and his team were absolutely amazing!
    Dr. Jennifer Byrne - James Madison University - Virginia, United States
  • Thanks for a fantastic holiday. It was in a great location and only took me 45 seconds to walk from my room to the beach. The bar has amazing views across the ocean. Thanks again for this fabulous introduction to East Africa.
    Riazat Butt - Journalism Services, The Guardian - London, United Kingdom
  • Loretta and I had a great time on our honeymoon. Simiton, your safari guide in Tanzania was awesome! He was very professional, very accommodating and very knowledgeable. We are already talking about our next trip to Africa!
    Loretta and Danny Haag - California, United States
  • Not a day has passed that we have not been overwhelmed by what we experienced, and by how fantastic our vacation was. It was truly magical. The pristine white beach not more than forty feet from our lovely room, the Indian Ocean sublime.
    Jamie Davis & Liudmila Kondakova - California, United States
  • First off, we had the most amazing time ever and wanted to thank you very much. Tanzania proved without a doubt to meet all of our expectations. Every detail was thought of on our trip by AfricanMecca and were are all flawless.
    Marcy Burton & Ryan Kerr - Ontario, Canada
  • AfricanMecca's professionalism and care understands that what distinguishes Africa is its authenticity, the land, people and wildlife who do not share our world of fashion and fanfare that distinguish so many travel companies today.
    Cyril Christo & Marie Wilkinson, Conservation Photographers, Authors & Wildlife Documentary Producers - USA
  • We wanted to thank you for the great amount of care you put into helping us with our travel planning for Africa. We were very much in your hands. Many thanks again, Raza for all your care, attention, advice and professionalism.
    Lorraine Beach and Marilyn Jolly - Marrickville, Australia

EAST AFRICA SAFARI & BEACH BOOKING TRIP IDEA FOR BAGAMOYO IN EASTERN TANZANIA

When beach vacationing in Bagamoyo, we recommend experiencing some of the surrounding Bagamoyo attractions and cultural activities after your Northern Tanzania safari to Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti (wildebeest migration).

You may optionally extend out to offbeat parks in Southern and Western Tanzania such as Nyerere (Selous), Ruaha or Katavi ending with a chimpanzee trekking safari at Gombe or Mahale by the relaxing Lake Tanganyika.

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