By Beatus Maganja
The luxury cruise ship Le Bougainville docked today, March 5, 2025, at the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara in Lindi Region, bringing 133 tourists from around the world. This marks its seventh visit since the start of the 2025 tourism season.
The visitors onboard hail from Denmark, Australia, Canada, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Africa, as well as Switzerland, Romania, Germany, Belgium, New Zealand, and Ireland.
Renowned for offering world-class travel experiences, Le Bougainville provides its guests with the opportunity to explore the historical and cultural treasures of Kilwa.
As a UNESCO-listed site, Kilwa holds immense historical significance, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in its rich past while experiencing the unique cultural heritage managed by the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA).
According to site officials, this visit is part of ongoing efforts to promote sustainable tourism in southern Tanzania, ensuring that local communities benefit from the growing influx of visitors.
With Le Bougainville being the seventh cruise ship to arrive this year, the total number of tourists visiting the site in 2025 has now reached 854, with expectations of even greater numbers in the months ahead.
During their stay, tourists explored the ancient ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani, once a thriving trade and administrative center under Arab and Portuguese rule.
They also engaged with local communities, gaining insight into the region’s customs and traditions.
Kilwa Senior Conservator (Malikale) SC Kelvin Stanislaus Fella expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We are thrilled to see Le Bougainville returning again and again, bringing visitors from across the world.
This is a tremendous boost for our tourism sector and a crucial step in positioning Kilwa as a premier international destination."
As one of the world’s leading luxury cruise liners, Le Bougainville offers high-end voyages along East Africa’s coastline.
The trips are organized by Akorn, a renowned global travel company, which is expected to bring even more visitors throughout the 2025 tourism season, further cementing Kilwa’s status as a must-visit historical and cultural landmark.