Zanzibar Slave Routes Tour: The Original Walking Tour

Once upon a time, Stone Town was the hub to one of the world’s last open slave markets, and one of the biggest slave markets in the world; the Swahili Coast presided over by Arab traders was active until it was shut down by the British in 1873. The slaves were shipped here in dhows from the mainland, crammed so tightly that many fell ill and died or were thrown overboard.

Uncover the ancient slavery past on this tour as this excursion begins at the Dhow Harbour in Malindi, where slave ships brought their human cargo from Bagamoyo to Zanzibar. Then discover Livingstone’s House and House of Tippu Tip, explore the home of the notorious Arab slave trader and then on to the Anglican Church built at the old slave market.

A short drive to Mbweni will bring you to Mbweni ruins, formerly a school for freed slave girls. Explore Mangapwani slave caves. Walk through the caves, which stored hundreds of slaves kept waiting for the monsoons and the arrival of the dhows to be exiled away from home.