Caravan Serai
The resting place for caravans that had journeyed a thousand miles inland to the coast; today it is a museum telling the story of the caravan routes.
The serai is a courtyard-style building. In the 19th century, caravans set out from around Lake Tanganyika and, after months on foot, reached Bagamoyo, where they rested and traded. The building has been restored as a small museum that presents the routes of the central caravan trade and the history of the ivory and slave trades. Outside stands a sculpture of an enslaved person carrying ivory, which is deeply sobering. Located near the entrance to the Old Town, it makes a good starting point for a visit. Entry is included in the combined ticket.
Opening hours
About 08:00–16:30
Nearby sights
- Bagamoyo Stone Town
- German Boma
- Old Fort
- Bagamoyo Fish Market
- TaSUBa (Bagamoyo Arts and Cultural Institute)
- Bagamoyo Beach
- Holy Ghost Catholic Mission & Museum
- Kaole Ruins