Bagamoyo, a centre for dhow sailboat building, is located 80km north of Dar es Salaam and just opposite Zanzibar Island. It has played various historical roles in Tanzania. Apart from being a slave and ivory port, it was the capital of German East Africa from 1887 to 1891 and the site of the the first major uprising against the colonial government in 1888. Explorers such as Burton, Speke, Grant, Livingstone and Stanley all passed through this town.

The name Bagamoyo is derived from 'bwaga moyo' meaning 'throw down your heart' in Kiswahili which was an expression of despair from those who were captured as slaves and were uncertain of their future. Interesting historical sites include Bomani, formerly the German Colonial administration headquarters and now a memorial site for the first German East Afican capital, Chuo cha Sanaa, the only major arts college in Tanzania, Bagamoyo Museum which displays the town's history and has old photographs, documents and relics from slave trade and Ruvu River Delta which can only be reached by boat and is an ornithological paradise with lots of bird species, hippos and reptiles.

Accommodation in Bagamoyo

Images of Bagamoyo