Amboni Caves Travel Guide: Top Sights in Tanzania, Tours & Travel

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Amboni Caves- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Natural Scenery; Tanzania; 5 Reviews

Suggested Duration: 2 hours

The Amboni Caves in northeastern Tanzania, just 8 km north of Tanga City in Kiomoni village, form the most extensive limestone cave network in East Africa—stretching for approximately 755 m across ten chambers over about 234 km² and dating back to the Jurassic period some 150 million years ago. Shaped over millennia by acidic rain and subsurface water erosion, these underground halls feature dramatic stalactites and stalagmites along with uniquely sculpted formations resembling creatures, maps and iconic landmarks. As a site deeply woven into local belief systems, one chamber known as "Mzimu wa Mabuvu" continues to serve as a sacred spot for offerings and rituals honoring ancestral spirits called Mizimu by communities such as the Segeju, Sambaa, Bondei, and Digo. The caves were officially gazetted as a conservation area in 1922, later managed by the Department of Antiquities from 1963 onward.

Operators offering tours in Tanzania

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Maziwe Island

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4.4

Reviews of Amboni Caves

David Kimwele

5
Reviewed: 2024-07-26

The depth of information and the tour experience was wonderful. I'm very grateful to my tour guide. A plaque in honor of the Independence heroes the caves are named after would be useful.
Gideon Apponsah

5
Reviewed: 2024-06-01

This is a must-visit. I've returned from there, and it is magnificent. I underestimated the size and dimensions of the cave system. It is huuuge,....enough to get lost within it. The tour guide was excellent. He provided adequate information, and his storytelling skills made the tour enjoy. As an adult non-resident, I paid TSH23,600, about USD10.
Athman “Maboga” Mohammed

4
Reviewed: 2024-01-30

A spectacular site of limestone caves. There are a total of 7 caves but only two are accessible, one is just two minutes tour but the main cave harbours wonderful sights and of course thousands of bats, have a cap on....wort a visit for anyone visiting Tanga
Abdeali Alibhai

4
Reviewed: 2024-01-05

It was amazing. Great tour guide who took us through the caves. Nice environment too!
Soren Hvidager

3
Reviewed: 2023-07-09

Culturally, geologically and historically interresting, but it’s not so big and is not very tourist friendly/safe (steep steps to climb with nothing to hold on to, 4000 bats living inside the caves and some very low passages where you almost have to crawl). Remember water, because it is very hot and humid inside the caves. Be aware that Google Maps does not show the correct route to the caves - you have to drive entirely into town first and and then go north a bit (10 mins drive)