Discover Pwani: Bagamoyo’s history and culture

When looking for a hotel in Pwani, it helps to have a clear idea of the focus of your trip. Bagamoyo’s historic buildings and sightseeing stops sit alongside subjects such as art, dance and dhow boatbuilding; farther afield in the region, Saadani’s natural and trading history adds another dimension.

Bagamoyo: Buildings and history

The Old Boma was built by the Germans in 1895. A historical account reports that the Old Fort was used as a residence until the 1880s. The Von Wissman Tower was built in 1889 by Major Von Wissmann, a German commander in East Africa. These accounts emphasize different details: for the Old Boma and the tower, the focus is on the year they were built; for the Old Fort, it is on its use as a residence. This makes it possible to distinguish the buildings by their construction history and documented use.

Sightseeing stops in Stone Town

The German Colonial Administrative Block, the art market and the Old Post Office are listed as stops on a sightseeing tour of Bagamoyo’s Stone Town. Other stops include a school described as Tanzania’s first primary school, the Hanging Tower and the Caravan Serai Museum. The names offer different points of interest for a visit, from the market and post office to the tower and museum. Check current access arrangements before visiting.

Art, dance and dhow boatbuilding

The College of Arts is described as a theatre and arts college and the home of the national dance company. Performances are occasionally held during term time; drum or dance lessons can usually be arranged. If you are interested, check in advance when the school is in session, performance dates and whether lessons can be arranged.

Local boatbuilding is another cultural point of interest. A walk along the Indian Ocean beach in Bagamoyo offers the opportunity to visit a center where dhow sailing boats are built and learn about local boatbuilding. It is worth confirming dates and access in advance for performances, lessons and visits.

Further afield in the region: Saadani

The beaches of Saadani National Park are among the last major nesting grounds for green sea turtles on mainland Tanzania. Madete Beach is home to one of the most significant nesting populations of this species. The details refer to different locations: the statement about nesting grounds applies to the park’s beaches, while the particularly significant nesting population is associated with Madete Beach.

The history of the fishing village of Saadani is also part of this wider regional picture. The village lies within the protected area; ruins bear witness to its heyday as an important trading port in the 19th century. In the Saadani area, natural history and the history of trade sit side by side.

Tanzania in the broader context

The coastline of Tanzania, the wider travel destination, stretches for more than 804 kilometres. It includes Unguja and Pemba, which together form Zanzibar, as well as Mafia Island. The country’s trading history also goes back a long way: Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara were Swahili trading towns. Their prosperity, especially from the 13th to the 16th century, was based on controlling Indian Ocean trade with Arabia, India and China. This national perspective places Bagamoyo’s local history in a broader historical and geographical context.

Discover more destinations: Bagamoyo, Chole, Kwangwazi, Kilindoni, Logeloge, Bagamoyo, Nyakisiku, Kigongoni, Zombe, Utende, Kwa Mhinda

For the broader travel overview: Tanzania.