Shimoni Village & Slave Caves

"There’s a hole in the side of Africa, where the walls will speak if you only listen..."

Roger Whittaker's famous song invokes Shimoni's caves where slaves were held in transit to Zanzibar. Today the slave caves are managed by the community and can be visited with a tour guide for a nominal contribution to the community. The caves stretch for several kilimetres underground, but today only a few hundred metres can be visited.

As a deep-water port, Shimoni was also the headquarters for a large colonial trading firm. You can visit its ruins and the former governor's mansion at the entrance to the village, near the caves.

Life in the village of Shimoni rotates around the fishermen coming and going, the kiosks where the village gets its basic daily supplies and the jetty where dhows and boats ply to the marine park or to and from Wasini Island trading and transporting people.

Very informal and without any real organised structure, it is worth a visit to wander around the village market.

Simple, humble and down to earth, Shimoni is a refreshing African coastal village.

The coastal forest at one time stretched much further and animals would come all the way down to the ocean. The village has grown into the forest, but it still supports a healthy community of Sykes, Vervet and Colobus monkeys. The tree canopy around Shimoni stretches along the coast line and a wander down the forest paths is a worthwhile mini wildlife walk. The local community is very friendly and will welcome you.