Remnants of a spectacular history give Tanzania’s
mainland coast an appeal far greater than just sun, sand
and sea. More than 800 kms of coastline, from Tanga in
the north to Mtwara in the south, consist of
palm-fringed, white sandy beaches looking out over the
warm, sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean which offer
unlimited scope for big game fishing, scuba-diving,
snorkelling and other varieties of water sports.
But insufficient attention is often paid to the vast
array of other natural and cultural resources. In
addition to the beach resorts to both the north and
south of Dar es Salaam, there are a number of other
major tourist attractions. Ancient Bagamoyo, a former
capital city, and the nearby Kaole Ruins; historical
Mafia island; the history, culture and natural beauty of
Pangani; Saadani National Park and the World Heritage
sites of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara. Areas scheduled
for development include the Mnazi Bay area of Mtwara and
the Rufiji River delta.
BAGAMOYO
Some 70 km north of Dar es Salaam, on the coast opposite
the southern tip of Zanzibar, Bagamoyo is the former
capital of German East Africa and is yet another of
Tanzania’s eight UNESCO World Heritage sites. Possessing
a good, natural harbour ideal for sailing vessels and
dhows, it was once the centre of the notorious slave
trade.
Its name is derived from the word Bwagomoyo, which means
“Here I throw down my heart,” reflecting the desperation
and despair of the ‘broken hearted’ captives whose
voyage into the unknown began here. The present police
station, near the beachfront, was the first stone
building in Bagamayo. Originally an Arab residence it
was at one time the old prison where slaves were herded
through underground tunnels to waiting dhows.
The city was also the starting point for the first
European explorers on their way to search for the source
of the Nile. In fact Livingstone, Stanley, Burton and
Speke all passed through here.
Livingstone’s body was laid to rest here before being
taken first to Zanzibar and then to England. The Mission
has a museum with a wonderful collection of photographs
and mementoes relating to Livingstone and to the German
colonial times.
A house where Henry Morton Stanley once lived a century
ago can be seen in solitary splendour near the beach.
DAR ES SALAAM
Dar es Salaam boasts one of the finest natural harbours
in the world, and while it has become a bustling port
and economic centre, it remains a place of fascination,
with many reminders of its colourful past.
Dhows still ply its waters. Dug-outs, filled with fish,
bob by the harbourside.The city also displays the many
influences of its history. There’s an Asian district,
with its specialty shops, tea rooms, restaurants and
Hindu temples, while the German colonisation has left
behind a Bavarian-style railway station, the Roman
Catholic St. Joseph’s Cathedral and the Lutheran Azania
Front Church.
The flower-filled parks like the peaceful Botanical
Gardens- treelined streets and Gymkhana Club, are
evidence of British occupation.
The Nyerere Cultural Centre, a self-supporting
handicraft scheme, is well worth a visit. Here over 100
young artists can be seen at work producing various
works including paintings, carvings, batiks, pottery and
weavings.
Enjoy the hustle and bustle of the Kariakoo Market were
fish, fruit, vegetables, traditional medicines, herbs
and livestock are traded. The maze of stalls and shops
in the bazaar that surrounds the market, are also worth
exploring.
JANGWANI BEACH
A lovely beach, less than 30 minutes drive from Dar es
Salaam, with a number excellent hotels and restaurants.
An ideal venue for all forms of water sports, the
setting-off point for day trips to Mbudya Island; and
home to the Water World Amusement Park.
KAOLE
About five kilometres to the south of Bagamayo, at Kaole,
are the ruins of a once prosperous Arab town, which was
forced into decline by the arrival of the Portuguese in
the 15th century. The ruins, dating back to the 12th
century include two mosques, one with a well and over 20
tombs. All the buildings, including a house, were built
in carved coral stone blocks. The new part of Kaole is a
fishing and farming village.
KILWA
A group of three former settlements – Kilwa Kivinje and
Kilwa Masoko on the mainland and the offshore island of
Kilwa Kisiwani.
Kilwa was originally established as a centre for the
gold trade. Now a World Heritage site, it is home to
some of the most spectacular ruins on the East African
coast. Kilwa Kisiwani and the nearby Songo Mnara Islands
contain numerous ruins many dating back to the 13th
century.
MAFIA ISLAND
A 20 minute flight south of Dar es Salaam, Mafia Island
was Tanzania’s first Marine Park. It is one of the most
exciting diving and fishing areas in the world and is
home to some four hundred species of fish and five
species of turtle.
Sports fisherman flock here for the superb catches, many
of them great fighters, which include barracuda, marlin,
sailfish and tuna. The main season is from September to
March although fishing is possible all year round within
the reef and channel.
Divers will see a veritable kaleidoscope of reef
dwellers among the fifty types of coral. These include
butterfly fish, clown fish, lion fish and rainbow fish
while, in deeper waters, they will come across groupers,
rays and sharks. The rare dugong breeds in the Mafia
Channel while the green and hawksbill turtle nest on the
smaller islands.
MIKANDANI
The starting point for Livingstone’s final journey,
Mikandani is a small town, close to Mtwara, on
Tanzania’s southernmost coast. The Mnazi Bay Marine
Reserve is nearby as is the Ruvuma River, the border
with Mozambique and home to hippos, crocodile and a
myriad of bird-life.
PANGANI
Situated on the coast two hours north of Saadani
National Park, and a further two hours from Amani Nature
Reserve, this is a delightful village with its mosque,
ancient Arab buildings and a six km palmfringed sandy
bay.
The birthplace of Tanzania’s sisal industry, and once
the major port for the export of slaves and ivory,
visitors can snorkel at Maziwe Island Marine Reserve,
try deepsea fishing, or visit beautiful Ushongo Beach
some 16 km south of the village.
RAS KUTANI
Ras Kutani is a lovely resort to the south of Dar es
Salaam.
RUVUMA RIVER
The river, which forms Tanzania’s border with
Mozambique, is home to hippos, crocodile and, with Mnazi
Bay, forms one of the country’s new marine sanctuaries.
SAADANI NATIONAL PARK
Now a National Park, and enlarged to over 1,000sq km,
Tanzania’s only coastal park is situated on the shores
of the Indian Ocean, north of Dar es Salaam and Bagamoyo.
TANGA
The country’s second, and major northern port, Tanga is
close to the Amanai Nature Reserve, the Amboni Caves -
the most extensive limestone caves in East Africa, and
the Mkomazi Game Reserve.
