Shimoni Slave Caves Travel Guide: Top Sights in Kenya, Tours & Travel

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Shimoni Slave Caves- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Historical & Cultural; Kenya; 5 Reviews

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Suggested Duration: 2 hours

Shimoni Slave Caves, located near the serene coastal village of Shimoni in Kenya, offer a poignant glimpse into the country's historical struggles during the East African slave trade. These coral caves once served as a holding pen for countless enslaved individuals before their transport to distant lands. The name "Shimoni," meaning "the place of the cave," highlights the site's cultural significance. Visitors can explore narrow passageways and dimly lit chambers that echo stories of both despair and resilience, making it a solemn reminder of humanity's complex history.

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Reviews of Shimoni Slave Cave

Khalfan Abdulsomad

4
Reviewed: 2024-07-23

I liked the place it shows an important and quite scary part of our history.
Eng. Lalai Samuel Ntongai

5
Reviewed: 2024-07-13

A Historical site where slaves from Kenya were being hidden, restrained and tortured. The Caves have an underground way through to the Shimoni beach where slaves were being passed through hidden to the ferrying beach area and were transported to the other continents as Slaves. The tunnel is soo dark inside with Protruding coral reefs rocks which you need to be careful while travelling inside.
Caroline Njeri

5
Reviewed: 2023-11-11

The locals were very friendly and happy to guide us. Also, visit the beach and take a boat to Wasini Island. If you are a history buff, this location is a piece of East Africa History you will be grateful to explore. Also, quite clean.
Daniel Matuku (Latimo)

3
Reviewed: 2023-08-23

A very interesting place. You get to learn of how slaves were being help for 3 weeks by the Oman Arabs as they wait to be taken to the market in Zanzibar. A very friendly neighborhood. Easier accessible. Great initiative by the community, it's a plus for tourism when community is at the front. Very professional and informed your guids
Eliud Ngari

4
Reviewed: 2023-01-04

It takes around 20 minutes depending on how you engage the guide.Our guide was excellent. There are steps to go down but after that the caves have flat floors and are fairly large and dark. Each month, it is likely that a thousand slaves were collected here then transported to the slave market . Evidently there are still chains which were used to tie and punish the slaves who disobey orders .When in Shimoni it's a perfect activity you would not want to miss. However you need another activity as well because this is a short one but worth getting to know the historical injustice to the local by the Arabs.