Amboni Caves Tanzania
Located nearly 8 km from Tanga town, Tanzania, the Amboni Caves are the most extensive limestone caves in East Africa. They are located 8 km north of Tanga City in Tanzania, off the Tanga-Mombasa road. The caves were formed about 150 million years ago during the Jurassic age.
It covers an area of 234 km². According to researchers, the area was underwater some 20 million years ago. There are ten caves in total, but only one is used for guided tours.
Amboni Limited, then operating sisal plantations in the Tanga Region, acquired the area in 1892. The company notified the British colonial government about the caves, which, in turn, declared them a conservation area in 1922.
It is not known precisely when the caves were discovered, but reports indicate that ethnic groups such as the Segeju, Sambaa, Bondei, and Digo who lived near the caves used them for prayer. In 1963, the then government of Tanganyika handed over the caves to the Department of Antiquities.
These caves have been the subject of local legends, and numerous awe-inspiring myths have been attributed to them. To the local people, the caves are regarded as supernatural formations where supernatural powers commonly known as “Mizimu” are believed to have been residing since the formation of the cave.
There are chambers considered sacred for worshipping certain spirits. One of them is called “Mzimu wa Mabuvu”. Some believe in a powerful deity who can alleviate their sickness and suffering or increase their fertility.
These limestone caves are formed by a special type of erosion. According to Mturi (1975:18-19), three theories explain the formation of the Amboni Caves. The first theory is known as the vadose process.
According to this theory, rainwater absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and forms a weak carbonic acid, which can dissolve calcium carbonate minerals, from which limestone is formed. When this acidified rainwater seeps through the limestone, it dissolves it, creating cavities and caves.
The second theory is that of phreatic origin. According to this theory, the caves are formed by erosion from the sub-water table. Rainwater containing carbonic acid rapidly seeps through the limestone and reaches the water table before becoming a saturated solution of calcium bicarbonate. At this stage, it can still act as a dissolving agent for calcium carbonate.
The Amboni caves are believed to be the most extensive limestone caves in East Africa, located in Kiomoni village. The caves, a one-and-a-half-kilometre stretch, are a fascinating historical site that was used as hiding places by the locals.
The Amboni caves are among the area’s most popular attractions, having attracted over the years a hundred thousand tourists, both local and foreign.
The caves are very dark inside and potentially lethal. Nearly all tunnels and chambers are accessible to tourists on guided tours.
The Amboni caves are among the area’s most popular attractions and feature vast below-ground halls with towering formations.
Visitors are advised to wear comfortable shoes and bring a pocket-sized camera, as carrying a camera with a large lens is cumbersome when walking through tight squeezes.
Before entering some tight spots, visitors are asked to leave large bags in a designated area to pick up later.
The views of the towering formations in the caves are inspiring. Nearly all of its tunnels and chambers are accessible to tourists on guided tours. Walking through squeezes while taking in views of incredible formations makes the visit well worth it.
The caves hold religious significance for the local people, who pray and make offerings at one of the shrines. For some locals, the caves have long been known as places to worship and pray for various needs.
Chamber one is used for prayers, which many people associate with superstition. Various items are deposited here during prayers, including gifts that local villagers offer to the spirits.
The caves’ upkeep is under the Department of Antiquities in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.
