AMBONI CAVES TANZANIA
Tanzania is a beautiful country with a vast variety of places to visit and adventures to experience and one of its more off the beaten path and cool destinations are the Amboni caves.
These cave system is a natural wonder and home to legends and spiritual beliefs and they are located in some surroundings of breathtaking beauty.
If you are visiting Tanzania mainland Amboni caves are one of the places you should not miss.
I visited the Amboni caves while staying in Tanga town and have put this guide together with a video and some photos of my time there to help you prepare for your visit.
TIP: This is the best tour for visiting the Amboni caves from Tanga city. It includes a guided visit to the caves and to the nearby healing Galanos sulphur hot springs.
ABOUT AMBONI CAVES
The Amboni caves are the biggest limestone cavern system in East Africa. The caves extend in an area of 234 km² and they were formed around 150 million years ago during the Jurasic age. The caves are a place of study for geologists where cues about the geological processes that formed them can be seen.
The caves were originally submerged under the waters around 20 million years ago and they used gto stretch over and area of 200 Km. There are now a labyrinth of interconnected chambers, from which one of them is open to guided exploration.
The caves had been for a long time a place of worship for the local communities, such as the Segeju, Sambaa, Bondei and Digo people. There are myriad of bats living in the caves ( check my video ) and spirits are believed to inhabit the caves.
In 1892, Amboni Limited, a company owning sisal plantations in the region, acquired the caves, pushing the British colonial government to designate the area as a conservation zone in 1922.
The exact of the caves discovery remains uncertain but some historical accounts suggest that various indigenous groups frequent these caves for prayers.
Since Tanganyika’s independence in 1961, the caves passed to be part of the Department of Antiquities, and a tourist attraction where nature and culture merge in one space.
Within the caves’ depths, chambers like the most famous, “Mzimu wa Mabuvu” are sacred places where believers seek solace, healing and fertility.
AMBONI CAVES TANZANIA VIDEO
Find here a video of my visit to the Amboni caves in Tanzania. The video contains visit to three of the caves, the sacred chamber and some cave crab and lots of bats.
MY EXPERIENCE VISITING THE AMBONI CAVES
I visited the Amboni caves during my first visit to Tanga, in Tanzania. I got there with a private tout that combined a visit to the caves and to the Galanos hot springs.
I really enjoyed my visit and the caves are located in an area with lush green forest and some monkeys and even crocodiles, although I was not able to film them so you will not see them in the video.
I really enjoyed the caves and my guide was really nice and made my visit a very funny experience.
AMBONI CAVES LOCATION
The Amboni Caves are located 8,8 Km North of Tanga city on the Tanga Mombasa road.
HOW TO GET TO AMBONI CAVES IN TANZANIA
The only way to the Amboni caves is by tour. You could use Tuk Tuk but in order to do that you need to speak Swahili and pay the Tuk Tuk a huge fee for the waiting time so the best way to go there on an organized tour.
HOW TO BOOK A TOUR TO THE AMBONI CAVES
Find here a description of the best tours to the Amboni caves. You can just book the tour by clicking the link.
- Cycling to Amboni caves and Sulphur Hot Springs: This whole day tour will bring you from Tanga city center by bike through its rich buildings and historical landmarks. The tour includes a visit to the caves and some cultural activities in the Kiomobi village and a visit to the Galanos sulphur hot springs, located in a landscape of breathtaking beauty.
- Amboni caves tour ( 4- 5 hours): This half day tour offers guided visit to the caves where you will listen to the different narrated stories about the system and you will also have some time to visit the natural forest around, including monkeys and birds. A visit to the nearbt Kiomobi village and some local activities are included in this tour.
- Amboni caves from Dar es Salaam: If you are staying in Dar Es Salaam and you just would like to come to Tanga for a visit to the caves this tow days tour is the best option for you.
- Amboni caves, sulphur hot springs and Amani reserve: These 3 days, 2 nights tour is perfect if you also would like to visit the nearby Amani Nature reserve in the East Usambara mountains, a hot biodiversity spot with splendid nature and stunning hiking trails.
OTHER ACTIVITIES TO DO AROUND THE AMBONI CAVES
The most popular activities to do around the Amboni caves are:
- Kiomoni village: This little village close to the caves is ideal for visitors having a cultural immersion and tasting some local coconut wine
- Galanos sulphur hot springs: These hot springs are a sacred place for locals where they go to heal from ailments and get rid of bad omens. The sulphur in the springs comes from some underwater deposits with minerals.
- Amani nature reserve: The Amani nature reserve is a hot biodiversity spot with one of the worlds highest rates of endemism. The reserve is part of the East Usambara Mountains, a top world hiking destination.
- Ushongo beach: This hidden gem in Tanzania is only located 72 Km from the caves. If you want to enjoy the beach you might consider taking a day off in Ushongo after your visit to the caves.
WHAT TO PACK TO VISIT THE AMBONI CAVES
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip for navigating the cave terrain.
- Light clothing suitable for warm and humid conditions.
- Water bottle to stay hydrated during the tour.
- A flashlight or headlamp for exploring the darker sections of the caves.
- Camera or smartphone for capturing the stunning cave formations.
- Snacks to keep your energy up during the visit.
- Insect repellent to ward off mosquitoes and other bugs.
- Sunscreen and a hat for protection if you plan to explore the surrounding area.
- Cash for entrance fees and any souvenirs you may wish to purchase.
- A small backpack or bag to carry your belongings comfortably.
WHAT ARE THE AMBONI CAVES FAMOUS FOR?
The Amboni caves in Tanzania are famous for their geological significance and historical importance. They are the biggest limestone caves in East Africa. There are many local legends and rituals associated with the caves and they hold a lot of cultural and historical significance.
The caves present an intricate network of passages and stalagmites and stalactites where visitors can get lost.
ARE THE AMBONI CAVES WORTH VISITING?
Yes, the Amboni caves are really worth a visit and I really recommend at least a combined visit to the Amboni caves and the Galanos sulphur hotsprings as I did in one day.
You will see some pretty awesome natural structures and bats and will learn about the local spiritual traditions.
This location has remained until now an off the beaten path location in Tanzania and you will be able to enjoy it in a quiet and relaxed environment.
RECAP
Tanzania is famous as the land of some of the best safari locations in the world but there are lot of hidden gems in the country and the Amboni caves are one of those locations.
Get off the beaten path and get to known the Tanzanian local culture and its natural wonders and people.
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