We sailed to the tiny island of Songo Mnara, about 8km south of Kilwa Kisiwani, for about one and a half hours. It contains ruins at its northern end – including a palace, several mosques and numerous houses built from coral and mortar – that are believed to date from the 14th and 15th centuries. They are considered in some respects to be more significant architecturally than those at Kilwa Kisiwani, with one of the most complete town layouts along the coast.
Its prosperity stemmed from controlling trade routes with Arabia, India, and China, facilitating the exchange of goods such as gold, ivory, textiles, and porcelain. Today, the remarkably well-preserved ruins are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside Kilwa Kisiwani, offering a valuable glimpse into the complex history of Swahili culture and its deep connections to the broader Indian Ocean world.
The only way to visit Songo Mnara is with a chartered boat (100,000 TZS for both islands, full day) and a guide (30,000 TZS) from the Kilwa Islands Tour Guides Association. The permit cost was 70,800 TZS, and it could only be paid online. We should not forget to mention that this time, it was our first professional guide in East Africa, who was well-prepared for the job and had all the necessary information. Contact Athumani Abdallah Limonga (+255 784 808 250), and for sure, he will be happy to get more clients in these difficult times.
Parking location – Kilwa Masoko: 8.928782S 39.512533E (🚻,💦,🅿️5,000 TZS)