Mangapwani Coral Cave tour from Stone Town

Highlights

• Explore various indigenous trees
• Learn about Zanzibar's dark history in the slave trade
• Discover where the slaves were hidden before their shipping

All about the trip

Mangapwani Slave Chambers built by Mohammed Bin Nassor Al-Alwi around 1880 from the cave and connected to the seaside 2 km away, the area is surrounded by varieties of indigenous trees such as breadfruit, rambutans, and scent shrubs. It was an important transit point for the captured slaves to be sold to the outside world at the time of the abolishment of slavery in 1873 especially in the Middle East. Between 1880-1905, the slave chamber was being used as a place of concealment of the human cargo pending their disposal. It was utilized as the hideout by the Arabs for their human cargo ready for shipment.

The Slave Trade in Zanzibar - historical background

Mangapwani (meaning 'Arab shore') lies on the coast, about 20 km north of Zanzibar Town. The Coral Cave is a deep natural cavern in the coralline rock with a narrow entrance and a pool of freshwater at its lowest point. Water was probably collected from here by early inhabitants of this part of the island but at some time in the past vegetation grew across the entrance and the exact position of the cavern was forgotten.

Later, the area became the property of a wealthy Arab landowner called Hamed Salim el Hathy who had many slaves working on his plantations. During this time, the cavern was rediscovered by a young boy searching for a lost goat. Local people were able to use the water again, and Hamed Salim arranged for his slaves to collect the water regularly for his own use. It has been suggested by historians that the cave may have been used as a hiding place for slaves after the trade was officially abolished in 1873.

The Mangapwani Slave Chamber is a few kilometers further up the coast from the Coral Cave. Although sometimes called the Slave Cave, it is a square-shaped cell that has been cut out of the coralline rock, with a roof on top. It was originally built for storing slaves, and its construction is attributed to one Mohammed bin Nassor Al-Alwi, an important slave trader. Boats from the mainland would unload their human cargo on the nearby beach, and the slaves would be kept here before being taken to Zanzibar Town for resale, or to plantations on the island. It is thought that sometime after 1873, when Sultan Barghash signed the Anglo–Zanzibari treaty which officially abolished the slave trade, the cave was used as a place to hide slaves, as an illicit trade continued for many years.

What is included in the price

• Experienced professional tour guide
• Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in private car
• Entrances fees
• Bottled water
• Transport waiting charge
• All taxes, fuel surcharges, and service fees

What is not included in the price

• Medical insurance if needed
• Gratuities for tour guide
• International and domestic flights
• Visa fee (50 USD / 100 USD for American or Irish Passport holders – to be paid upon arrival)
• Airport/departure tax
• Personal expenses

Instructions

Leave your valuables at the hotel, if possible.

Not wheelchair accessible.

Not recommended for participants with heart complaints or other serious medical conditions.

Bookings can only be accepted for persons under 15 years of age when accompanied by an adult who will be responsible for them.

The duration of transfers are approximate, from 15 minutes to 1,5 hour, the exact duration will depend on the time of day, the location where you are, and traffic conditions.

COVID-19 CLEAN AND SAFE

All vehicles are disinfected regularly after each ride. We have established set protocols that we follow to make sure all of these high touch areas are disinfected in every vehicle. An emergency plan has been designed which can be followed in case of an outbreak. In the event that a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19, we have action plans ready to implement. Medical support is available if required. Not all destinations have the same resources, so we anticipate the needs of our customers should they become ill.

General staff training is in place regarding new protocols to prevent the spread of Covid19.

This training is in various stages:

Initial: containing basic information about the illness, personal hygiene, the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and departmental procedures.

Follow-up: reinforces the basic points and any improvements made. Plus, follows up employees’ concerns and needs.

This activity is organised by Safanta Tours and Travel comp., Chukwani street, P.O.BOX 3651, Urban/West Region, Zanzibar, Tanzania, +255 778 856 362, info@safantatours.co.tz.