Zanzibar: Mangapwani Slave Chambers and Coral Cave Tour

Explore the Mangapwani Slave Chambers and Coral Cave on a guided tour. Learn about the history of the chambers and the Coral Cave, and see the hidden cave rocks steps for the slaves to pass through.
Explore the Mangapwani Slave Chambers, a historical site on Zanzibar Island. Learn about the dark history of the slave trade and the role of the Mangapwani Slave Chambers in this trade.

Visit the Mangapwani Slave Chambers, built by Mohammed Bin Nassor Al-Alwi around 1880 from a cave and connected to the seaside 2 km away. The area is surrounded by varieties of indigenous trees such as breadfruit, rambutans, and scent shrubs.

Learn about the role of the Mangapwani Slave Chambers in the slave trade. It was an important transit point for the captured slaves to be sold to the outside world at the time of the abolishment of slavery in 1873, especially in the Middle East.

Between 1880-1905, the slave chamber was used as a place of concealment of the human cargo pending their disposal. It was utilized as the hideout by the Arabs for their human cargo ready for shipment.

Later, the area became the property of a wealthy Arab landowner called Hamed Salim el Hathy who had many slaves working on his plantations. During this time, the cavern was rediscovered by a young boy searching for a lost goat.

Local people were able to use the water again, and Hamed Salim arranged for his slaves to collect the water regularly for his own use. It has been suggested by historians that the cave may have been used as a hiding place for slaves after the trade was officially abolished in 1873.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.