Day Trip To Bagamoyo From Dar Es Salaam ..historical town

Bagamoyo, (which means “Lay down your heart”) lies 75kms north of Dar es Salaam. It was the most important trading center of the east central coast of Africa in the late 19th century. Bagamoyo’s history has been influenced by Indian and Arab traders, by the German colonial government and by Christian missionaries. The town has recently been designated as Tanzania’s seventh world heritage site.

Depart early in the morning heading to Bagamoyo Town, north of Dar es Salaam for a visit to the historical buildings, a slave port, Coral Mosques at Kaole, graves and other things dated to the 13th century, the old ferry at the great Wami River, reminders of the slave trade: Shackle rings, Stone pens Lunch at Paradise Local Restaurant, then return to Dar late afternoon.

Places to visit:

Kaole ruins:The oldest ruins of an Islamic mosque in the region, stemming from the 13th century, a few km south of Bagamoyo near Kaole, possibly the oldest mosque on mainland of East Africa at all.

The Bagamoyo Church: It was was built in 1868 and considered to be the first church in East Coast of Africa. Cemetery where the early missionaries were buried and a small shrine which was built by freed slaves in 1876 are all seen. “We are told that between 1934 and 1991, 35 Dutch priests worked here The last of this long line of priests from the Netherlands was Father Frits Versteijnen who stayed in Bagamoyo for 30 years and started the first museum in the old Fathers’€™ House in March 1968.

The second Fathers House in Bagamoyo, constructed close to the Mother of all Churches in East Africa, has also fallen victim to the corrosive effects of the coast regions relentlessly humid climate. Its ground floor was built in 1873, the first floor in 1877 and the second floor in 1903.

Boma: Built in 1895-1897 as residence and offices for the German colonial governor. In 1998 the roof collapsed and pulled the balcony down during the El Nino rains. The building is up to now fascinating but highly in danger.

Chuo cha Sanaa. (College of Arts): Is the only major arts college in the Tanzania, teaching various fields: dancing, music, drama and painting. It is situated along the Kaole road, close to Kaole ruins. During the weekends student give free performances allowing visitors to acquaint themselves with traditional dances. It is also possible to learn to play various local music instruments with the college, but this has to be arranged and negotiated in advance.

Bagamoyo Museum: It is a small museum, which displays Bagamoyo history in relation to its contact with foreigners. It has old photographs, documents and relics from slave trade. On the same compound there is a small chapel know as Anglican church of Holly Cross. The church is famous for being a place where the remains of David Livingstone were laid before taken to Zanzibar en route to Westminster abbey for burial.

After all these tours you will go for a local lunch and then go spend few hours on the beach and later drive back to Dar es salaam