Bagamoyo is a small coastal town about 70 km north of Dar es Salaam. In the 19th century it was the end of the great caravan route from Lake Tanganyika, where ivory and enslaved people were brought to the coast. Today it is a quiet town of old buildings, a fishing beach and artists’ studios.
History
- Kaole ruins: about 5 km south, the remains of mosques and tombs from around the 13th century show the long history of Swahili trade on this coast.
- The caravan town: from the 1800s, caravans arrived here after months on the road. The name is often explained as “lay down your heart”, though its origin is debated.
- German rule: Bagamoyo was the first capital of German East Africa, before the capital moved to Dar es Salaam in 1891.
- Explorers: Burton, Speke, Stanley and others started their journeys here. David Livingstone’s body rested in the mission church tower in 1874 on its way to London.
What to see
- The Catholic Mission, founded in 1868, with a museum on the slave trade and the region’s history.
- The old German Boma and customs house.
- The Old Fort, the oldest building in town.
- The fish market and dhows on the beach.
- The Bagamoyo College of Arts, Tanzania’s main arts school.
- The Kaole ruins.
Visiting
Bagamoyo is a day trip from Dar es Salaam, or an overnight stop on the way north to Saadani National Park. Allow half a day for the town and Kaole with a local guide. Read about birding in Bagamoyo.
Respect
Much of Bagamoyo’s history is painful. Visit the slave trade sites with the same respect you would at a memorial. Read Stone Town for the other end of the story.
Frequently asked questions
It was the coastal end of the caravan route from the interior and the first capital of German East Africa.
About 70 km, one and a half to two hours by road.
Remains of mosques and tombs from around the 13th century, south of Bagamoyo.
