Songo Mnara
The 14th- to 16th-century stone town ruins on a small island south of Kilwa, with a complete layout of palaces and mosques
Songo Mnara is on a small island south of Kilwa Kisiwani. It is a Swahili stone town dating from the 14th to 16th centuries and, like Kilwa Kisiwani, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ruins include a palace, several mosques, dozens of houses, and a cemetery. The city layout is more complete than Kilwa’s, and there are fewer visitors, so it feels quiet and peaceful. Getting there from Kilwa Masoko takes about 1 to 1.5 hours by motorboat, or longer by dhow. Trips depend on the tides. You usually need a separate ticket, a boat hire, and a guide. Plan for at least half a day.
Opening hours
Daytime only (guide required; depends on tides)
Nearby sights
- Husuni Kubwa
- Small Domed Mosque
- Mavuji River Mangroves
- Great Mosque of Kilwa
- Gereza Fort
- Makutani Palace
- Jimbizi Beach
- Kilwa Masoko Market & Harbour