Amboni Caves Tour from Mount Usambara Hotel Tanga

These fascinating Caves are Tanzania’s most extensive limestone caves, located 8 kilometers north of Tanga region in Kiomoni village along Mombasa-Tanga highway. The caves are believed to have been formed around 150 million years ago during the Jurassic period and cover nearly 234 square kilometers.

The caves area is distinguished by rock-walled gorges, limestone pavements cut by deep fissures and dongas, fields of eroded limestone pillars, and extensive systems of caves and rock shelters opening to the surface within the gorges. There are a total of ten caves altogether and have a number of chambers that are quite dark inside; however, only one is open for guided tours and can be easily accessed in this method.

The Amboni caves, which are home to a large number of bats, were traditionally thought to be home to various spirits and are still used for worship and rituals by the locals. History has it that the caves were originally thought to extend 200 km or more.

Several mythical and awe-inspiring stories surround the caves. The locals believe that the caves possess supernatural formations where supernatural powers known as “Mizimu” are said to have resided since the cave’s formation. There are also sacred chambers for worshiping certain spirits. One of them is called “Mzimu wa Mabuvu.” According to the locals, the powerful spirit can bless them with wealth and lessen their sickness and sufferings