

Kilwa Masoko – beach and history

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its influence on the birth of Swahili culture, what is now a fishing village was, a thousand years ago, occupied by Arabs. They minted gold and sold spices, jewellery and slaves, whilst holding licentious parties under the light of the moon.


Ibn Battuta,Kilwa Kisiwani Visitor – Muslim Scholar and Traveler, 1330

The Kilwa ruins are a must for any visitor to Kilwa and are a great help in understanding the Kilwa people and ancient Kilwa itself.

The history of ancient Kilwa and the Kilwa people:

In around Eight Hundred AD the Shirazi Arabs travelled by dhow from modern-day Iraq, when Europe was still embroiled in the dark ages. Within a few years these entrepreneurs amassed an unimaginable fortune by trading in gold mined deep in the African interior; modern day Sofala in Zimbabwe.

Soon the island became a commercial centre for the Islamic world and beyond; trading in items ranging from Persian earthenware to Chinese porcelain.Mosques, a market place and an ostentatious palace were built. These can all be seen today in various states of ruin as well as the thousand-year-old resting place of the Sultan and his family. Over the centuries Kisiwani’s fortunes fluctuated with changing gold-prices and the arrival of the Portuguese Vasca da Gama in 1502 heralded its decline and the Portuguese eventually built the crenulated gereza-fort which greets you at the harbour.

The city once again grew and became more important due to its connection with Zanzibar during the slave trade.

Songo Mnara, a neighbouring small island close to Kisiwani was a Swahili stone town which was inaugurated in the early 19th century. Its comparatively short history compared to its more illustrious neighbour of Kilwa Kisiwani has allowed archaeologists to examine early Swahili houses within a specific time period.

Both islands have been found to be cradles of the Swahili culture and were the starting points of the Islamization of the east coast of Africa.

Both islands were jointly awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1981

You will travel over to Kisiwani in a traditional dhow and will be shown round the island by a local, English speaking guide. These trips can be extended to include the Ruins of Songo Mnara

Kilwa Beach Lodge

We are are able to arrange special packages with Kilwa Beach Lodge

Situated on a former coconut plantation by Masoko Pwani Beach, Kilwa Beach Lodge offers private beach access, deep-sea fishing, snorkelling and hippo-watching trips. There is also a restaurant and bar on site.

The rooms are all located along the beach and feature eco-friendly, local materials. Some rooms also have a balcony or patio with outdoor seating. The private bathrooms all come with a shower.

Guests can enjoy seafood at Upepo Pwani Restaurant and a variety of drinks at Babu’s Bar. Banquet and conference facilities are also available.