Exploring the Old Fort of Zanzibar Museum on Tanzania Safaris
The Old Fort of Zanzibar is not just a fortress. It is the oldest building in Stone Town, a silent witness to centuries of violent struggle, shifting empires, and the vibrant rebirth of Swahili culture. On a Tanzania safari, most travellers come to Zanzibar for the white sand beaches of Nungwi or the spice farms of the interior. They walk through Stone Town's narrow alleys, snap a photo of the carved doors, and leave. But the Old Fort, known in Swahili as Ngome Kongwe or simply the Arab Fort, demands more than a quick glance. Completed in 1699 by the Omani Arabs after they brutally expelled the Portuguese, this heavy, brown-stone fortress is a physical testament to the island's turbulent history . On a Tanzania safari, standing under its crenelated battlements, you are standing where the fate of the Indian Ocean trade routes was decided.
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What to See at the Old Fort of Zanzibar on Tanzania Safaris
On a Tanzania safari, the Old Fort is a deceptively simple structure that rewards those who linger. From the outside, it is a massive square of high, ochre-brown walls with pointed merlons (battlements) designed to resist cannon fire . But the real life is inside. The entrance leads you into a vast, open-air courtyard. This space has been transformed into a vibrant cultural center. On a Tanzania safari, you will find a lively market of curio stalls selling Tinga Tinga paintings, intricate wooden carvings, and Maasai beadwork . The air smells of spices and sandalwood. Look for the remnants of earlier buildings embedded in the courtyard floor, including the foundations of a Portuguese church and an older Omani fortification from the 18th century .
The Amphitheatre and Cultural Heartbeat
The most dramatic feature inside the fort is the open-air amphitheatre, added in the 1990s. On a Tanzania safari, this is not a dusty ruin. It is a living, breathing stage. The amphitheatre is the headquarters of the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) and the primary venue for the "Sauti za Busara" (Sounds of Wisdom) music festival. If you are lucky enough to visit in February, you will experience one of the greatest celebrations of African music on the continent. On a Tanzania safari, you can watch traditional Taarab music performances, modern fusion bands, and theatrical plays right here . Even outside of festival season, you will often find local dance troupes practicing or spontaneous drumming circles.
A Timeline of Violence and Empire
To understand Zanzibar, you must understand the Old Fort. On a Tanzania safari, the history of this building is a short history of the island itself. It was built by the Omani Arabs in 1699 specifically to fortify the city against the Portuguese, who had controlled the trade routes for nearly two centuries . After the Omani victory, the fort served as a garrison barracks for the Sultan's troops. In the 19th century, it was used as a prison and even a place of execution . On a Tanzania safari, you can feel the weight of the heavy wooden doors and the thick, oppressive walls. Later, under British colonial rule, the building was converted into a Ladies' Tennis Club, a bizarre and unexpected chapter in its history .
The Old Fort and the Railway
One of the most surprising facts you will learn on a Tanzania safari is the fort's connection to the industrial age. In the early 20th century, the fort was used as a depot for the construction of the Zanzibar railway . This short-lived railway connected Stone Town to the village of Bububu. It was a minor project, but it symbolized the shift from sail to steam and the growing reach of European colonial administration. On a Tanzania safari, looking at the ancient stone walls and imagining a steam locomotive chugging past them is a surreal juxtaposition.
The Heart of the Waterfront
You cannot miss the Old Fort. On a Tanzania safari, it is located on the main seafront of Stone Town, on Mizingani Road. It sits directly next to the House of Wonders (Beit-al-Ajaib), which is currently under restoration, and faces the famous Forodhani Gardens . This location is strategic. It was built here to control access to the harbor. On a Tanzania safari, you can easily combine a visit to the fort with a walk through the gardens, where locals gather every evening to eat Zanzibar pizza and sugar cane juice. The fort is the perfect starting point for a walking tour of Stone Town.
Best Time to Visit the Old Fort of Zanzibar on Tanzania Safaris
The best time for a Tanzania safari to visit the Old Fort is in the late afternoon. The fort opens daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and admission is free . However, the midday sun in Zanzibar is brutal. The stone courtyard holds the heat. By 4:00 PM, the sun is lower, the shadows are longer, and the light is perfect for photography. This is also the time when the curio sellers are most active and the evening crowds start to gather at the nearby Forodhani Gardens. On a Tanzania safari, if you are lucky enough to visit during the Zanzibar International Film Festival in July or the Sauti za Busara festival in February, you will need to book your accommodation months in advance.
How to Get to the Old Fort of Zanzibar on Tanzania Safaris
Getting to the Old Fort is very easy. On a Tanzania safari, you will likely arrive in Zanzibar via the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ). From the airport, it is a 20-minute drive to Stone Town. Once you are in Stone Town, the fort is located on the seafront, at the end of Mizingani Road. It is within easy walking distance from any hotel in Stone Town. Many Stone Town walking tours, such as those offered by Zan Archipelago Tours & Safaris, specifically start at the Old Fort . Your guide will meet you at the entrance. It is a central landmark that is hard to miss.
Where to Stay on Tanzania Safaris near the Old Fort of Zanzibar
On a Tanzania safari, staying in Stone Town is the best way to experience the Old Fort. The "Stone Town" area is walkable and historic. For a luxury experience, the Park Hyatt Zanzibar is a stunning hotel located just a few meters from the fort. The Zanzibar Serena Hotel is another excellent option, built in a traditional Omani style. For mid-range travellers, the Emerson on Hurumzi is a famous boutique hotel with a rooftop restaurant offering incredible views of the fort and the ocean. For budget travellers, there are numerous guesthouses in the Vuga area and along Kenyatta Road.
Why Book with Dav Safaris for Tanzania Safaris
Booking your Tanzania safari with Dav Safaris ensures that your visit to the Old Fort is not just a photo stop, but a deep dive into the complex history of the Swahili coast. Our local guides are experts in the history of the Omani empire, the Portuguese incursions, and the modern cultural revival happening inside the fort's walls. They can explain the architecture, connect the events at the fort to the slave trade, and time your visit to catch a cultural performance. On a Tanzania safari with Dav Safaris, we handle everything, including your flight to Zanzibar, your hotel in Stone Town, and your guided city tour. You just show up with your camera and your curiosity. You focus on the heavy stone walls, the vibrant Tinga Tinga art, and the echoes of the Taarab music. We handle everything else on your Tanzania safari.
