Strolling through Bagamoyo’s narrow, unpaved streets takes you back to the mid-19th century, when the town was one of the most important settlements along the East African coast and the terminus of the trade caravan route linking Lake Tanganyika with the sea.
Slaves, ivory, salt and copra were unloaded here before being shipped to Zanzibar Island and elsewhere, and many European explorers, including Richard Burton, Henry Morton Stanley and David Livingstone, began and ended their trips here.
In 1868 French missionaries established Freedom Village at Bagamoyo as a shelter for ransomed slaves, and for the remainder of the century the town served as a way station for missionaries travelling from Zanzibar Island to the interior.
How to get to Bagamoyo
Airlines to Dar es salaam
Many airlines have flights to Dar es Salaam International Airport (See below). From the airport to Bagamoyo it is roughly 1 – 2 hours drive by car, depending on the time of day and the traffic. Moyo Mmoja Guesthouse can arrange for a pick-up at the airport at a fixed price. Other means of transportation is regular Taxi (prices depends on negotiation), or regular daladala – local minibuses.
Private Transfer to Bagmoyo from Dar es salaam
We can help arrange for transport from Dar es Salaam. We do not have our own car service but if given a notice well in advance we can help you to arrange transport from Dar airport, harbour or Ubungu bus terminal. The trip is secure, the driver knows where to go and the price is more or less the same as regular Taxi.
Dala dala to Bagmoyo ( The Cheapest Option )
The daladala are of course the cheapest option and you can get to Bagamoyo for US$ 2 – 3 in travel expenses, but it might take you several hours especially in rush hours. This way of traveling all the way to Bagamoyo is not advisable for others that the very well experienced traveler with time to spare and wide awake after the hours on the airplane.
On the other hand traveling with the daladala to and from Bagamoyo and in Dar es Salaam after being «culturally acclimatised» is a good way to experience a part of real Tanzanian life up close. In Dar it is seldom any problems but be aware that the daladalas drive rather fast on the road to and from Bagamoyo and accidents do occur from time to time.
If choosing to travel with the daladala you will have to ask around by the main road outside the airport (or at the harbor for ferries arriving from Zanzibar or at Ubungo buss station) to find out from where the busses for Bagamoyo (or more likely Tegeta/Bunjo B. first and then Bagamoyo) go nowadays and – while hoping you understood the directions correctly – try out the advice. Most people will be happy to help you, but keep in mind that most people will not likely be updated on the valid information for the way to Bagamoyo.
Going to Bagamoyo by Boat
You can charter and connect between Bagamoyo and Zanzibar easily through None or motorized dhows to Zanzibar Island and take around four hours with a good wind.
Foreigners are discouraged from taking these, however, and you’ll need to register first with the immigration officer in the old customs building, which is also the departure point.
Departure times vary, and are often around 1am, arriving at Zanzibar Island sometime the next morning if all goes well. There is no regular dhow traffic to Saadani or Pangani.
Car & Motorcycle
Best time to visit Bagamoyo
The best time to visit is between the months of June through October because this is the dry season when rainfall is almost non-existent. At this time, the skies are clear and the waters of the sea are a stunning sapphire blue with contrasting azure.
The annual highlight is the Bagamoyo Arts Festival, usually held around late September or October.
Destinations in and around Bagamoyo
Tanzania online Travel resource | wonders are everywhere .....
