Kilwa Kisiwani (Tanzania): UNESCO ruins, boat from Kilwa Masoko, prices and visit (2026)
Kilwa Kisiwani is a small island off Kilwa Masoko, in southern Tanzania, covered with the ruins of a great medieval Swahili port listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site together with Songo Mnara: great mosque, Husuni Kubwa palace, fort. You reach it only by boat, with a guide from the local association; the dhow crossing takes about 20 minutes. According to Lonely Planet (old rates, to confirm), the guided visit of the island starts at about 40 dollars per person, all included; the island and Songo Mnara together cost about 148 dollars for one person or 247 dollars for two. Allow half a day to a day.
Highlights
The ruins on the island
The remains of the Swahili town, coral mosque and palace ruins, between baobabs and sea.
The palace and the fort
Husuni Kubwa is reached with the tide: you sometimes land directly in shallow water, bring shorts according to one traveller. The fort is later.
Songo Mnara
A second island with more Swahili ruins, visited in the full package.
Practical info
Tips
- Choose between: the Kilwa Kisiwani visit alone (the cheapest, about 40 dollars per person according to Lonely Planet), the package with Songo Mnara (more complete, about 148 dollars), or an organised stay. GetYourGuide does not offer a stand-alone day: the 5-day Selous (Nyerere) and Kilwa trip from Dar es Salaam costs from about 1,400 dollars (4.8 according to the page, small group). You can also negotiate a boat at the quay, in the order of 10,000 to 15,000 shillings according to Wikivoyage (old rate); the guide remains compulsory according to Lonely Planet. Bring water and a hat: the island has no shade. For Zanzibar, see Stone Town and Nyerere from Zanzibar.
How to get there
Kilwa Masoko is in the south of the country, very far from Dar es Salaam by road; we did not check bus times. From Zanzibar, go through Dar es Salaam. Then boat from the Kilwa Masoko quay.
Opening hours
Nearby
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