Saadani is located in what historically a very important coastal strip. To the North is Pangani where many believe the ancient trading site of Rhapta, referred to in Ptolemy’s ‘Geography’, was sited. It became important again as the main terminus for slave caravans heading to Lake Victoria in the 19th century. Bagamoyo, to the South, became the most important town in what is now Tanzania at the same time, with 50,000 slaves shipped annually to Zanzibar through the 1850’s.

Saadani itself began to figure as an important trading post, appearing on maps from the early 19th century. In 1888 the German takeover of the region was instigated by Carl Peters, who developed a protectorate from Tanga to Dar es Salaam.

Echoes of the past vibrate around the ancient ruins mingling with the vibrancy of local life. Our tour includes visits to the local school, cemetries, mosque and church and much much more.....we ask only a $5 donation to the village per person.