The Caravan Serai Slave Trade Museum — Attraction in Pwani Region

The Caravan Serai in Bagamoyo is one of the most haunting and necessary places I’ve visited in Tanzania. This structure — once a resting point for slave caravans — now stands as a silent witness to a dark era in East African history.

Built during the 19th century, it served as a holding center for enslaved people brought from the interior before they were taken to the coast and shipped across the Indian Ocean. Standing in that space, you can still feel the heaviness of what it represented: loss, displacement, and unimaginable suffering.

The building itself is weathered, yet solid — its simple walls and narrow passages make it easy to imagine how hundreds of people might have been packed inside under brutal conditions. It’s not polished or curated like a modern museum, and that rawness is what makes it powerful. You’re not just visiting a historical site — you’re stepping into the memory of a global injustice.

What struck me most was how Bagamoyo got its name, meaning “Lay Down Your Heart” — a chilling reminder that many people taken here never saw their homes again. This wasn’t just a transit stop; it was a final point of hope for many.

If you care about truth, justice, and healing, the Caravan Serai is a place you should not miss. Go with reverence. Go...

Is the place that deal with all Tourism concerns like Historical tour, planning safari, cultural tour, beach fire, sand bar boat and snorkeling, Boma tour, special Interest Tourism, Cooking local food, painting class, food and Beverage. Is the place where you can create your memory and remains with...

The entry fee is about 10 Euro and since a guide is included it's absolutely worth it!! Robert, the guide, has a profound knowledge about the local history and many more things. He also offeres tours in Daressalam and to pick you up from the airport in Daressalam. His number is +255...