The Old Boma at Mikindani is a national monument that is one of the landmarks of Mikindani in southern Tanzania. The 100 year old fort has been beautifully restored into a comfortable hotel with up to date facilities, whilst retaining its original features and charm. It is located on the side of a hill overlooking the Indian Ocean, providing breathtaking views from dawn to dusk.
The spacious guest rooms are furnished with hand-carved beds, Tinga Tinga paintings and other local handicrafts. They are kept cool by high ceilings and thick walls, coupled with ceiling fans, and most have a balcony with a sea or jungle view. Hotel facilities include a large swimming pool surrounded by frangipani and flame trees. There is a pool side bar and the Old Courthouse provides shaded seating. Meals are prepared using locally grown organic produce, herbs and spices, using a variety of coastal African, Arab and Asian flavours.
Mikindani is a fascinating old town with winding streets and an interesting blend of thatched mud houses and coral houses influenced by Arabic architecture. There is some debate over the origins of the name Mikindani. Some say that the town was named after a man from the Makonde tribe who killed the sister of the first immigrants from the Makonde Plateau. An alternative,and more plausible, story is that Mikindani was named for the young palm trees (mikinda) that grow around the town. Mikindani was an important trading centre as far back as the 15th century and David Livingstone quoted it in his diaries as being "the finest port on the coast". Since then its fortunes have fluctuated but it still reflects its multicultural Arabic, African and European history. Mikindani's protected lagoon has made a superb harbour for generations of fishermen and traders, and the Fish Market on the beach is full of activity and colour as fishermen land their catch and people go about the business of buying and selling.The fish market consists of a series of small wooden stalls, in front of which the fishermen pull up in their dhows or canoes, and then empty their haul onto the sand to be inspected.
A wide variety of activities and excursions are available from the Old Boma Hotel these include trips to Mnazi Bay Marine Reserve, guided tours of the town, visits to the fish and spice markets, boat safaris, fishing and snorkelling. You can sail in a traditional dhow across the sheltered waters of Mikindani Bay to Pemba village and beyond. Dhows have been plying the waters of the Indian Ocean for hundreds of years, and this is a unique way to spot wildlife; butterflies flutter in their hundreds over the water, Fish Eagles patrol the outer bay and there have been regular sightings of Humpback Whales and dolphins.
Mikindani is an hour's drive from the Mozambique border. It is easily accessible, as the coastal road from Dar to Mtwara (the nearest major town and regional capital which lies just 6 miles to the south) runs through Mikindani. Mtwara also has its own small airport and port.
Fair Trade / Responsible Travel
The Old Boma at Mikindani is run by UK registered charity Trade Aid, a non profitmaking charitable trust whose aim is to create sustainable employment. Any profits generated by the hotel are used to initiate similar job creating projects in Mikindani. Some of the first ventures include an Organic Market Garden supplying the Boma, a small restaurant and a pharmacy. More than 40 jobs have been created in the Boma.
