Kilwa
Kilwa is a World Heritage Site and has
the best preserved ancient Swahili buildings in Tanzania. This area was
developed in the 12th to the 15th Century and became the greatest
trading port along the East African coast. This ancient settlement was
once hailed as ‘one of the most beautiful of cities’.
Kilwa is of great historical interests
and scenic beauty. The town of Kilwa as such is divided into three
different towns - Kilwa Kivinje, Kilwa Masoko and Kilwa Kisiwani. Kilwa
Masoko is the most developed town and the regional hub. A colourful
market is held daily on the square at Kilwa Masoko. Men in white robes
and women in black buibuis gather under the mango trees to barter fresh
produce and a variety of goods; whilst Kilwa Kivinje and Kilwa Kisiwani
have spectacular historical attractions.
Kilwa Kisiwani is an island reached by
dhow and has an amazingly well preserved collection of ruins. On arrival
as you sail from the mainland the most striking sight is the old Omani
Fort, which is built on the foundations of an old Portuguese fort. The
Big Mosque dates from the 12th Century and was once the largest mosque
in East Africa. The Sultans palace is located directly south of the
mosque and contains four graves. The small mosque dates from the 15th
Century is still in use today. The large complex of walls in the west of
the island is called "Makutani" and contains a palace from the 18th
Century, another Sultanas palace, and a mosque from the 15th Century.
All the way to the east of the island there are the ground walls of the
"Husuni Kubwa", once the largest building in tropical Africa.
Local guides give tours of the ruins and
dhows can be arranged from the small jetty on the mainland. The site is
quite spread out and you can easily spend a whole day walking around
all the ruins.
Kilwa Kivinje was an ancient Arabian
slave and ivory trading town, where caravans departed for expeditions to
the interior. When the Germans assumed control at the end of the 19th
Century, the colonial government built a fort and extended the town.
Today you can still find a Market Hall, the Fort, and two pillars
commemorating the one for the dead of the Maji Maji War.
The Mnazi Bay-Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park
is a collection of diverse habitats ranging from mangroves along the
estuary mouth to mudflats to coral reefs and white sands. There is good
diving available here and coast line is just idyllic.
The river estuaries and large mangrove
swamps provide a perfect habitat for a wide variety of birds. These
areas are used for feeding and breeding of waterfowls. Some of the more
common birds to be found include: Sandpipers, Herons, African Storks,
Fish Eagle, Kingfishers, Oyster Catchers and Hawks. Fruit bats can also
be found feeding and roosting around Kilwa; with Hippos and crocodiles
to add to the adventure as they also live close to where the rivers
enter the mangrove swamps.
Fishing behind the reefs and in the bay
make for an excellent big game fish opportunity; maybe the best along
the East African Coast is found here.
