More than 140 tourists from 13 countries have visited the Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara World Heritage Sites in Kilwa District, Lindi Region, reaffirming the historical coastal town’s growing reputation as a key destination for cultural and heritage tourism.
The group of 147 tourists arrived on October 31, 2025, aboard the luxury cruise ship SH Diana as part of an organised heritage expedition coordinated by Savannah Tours Ltd in partnership with Black Willow Safaris.
The visitors came from France, Australia, Belgium, Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Cyprus, New Zealand, the United States, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.
Senior Conservation Officer Kelvin Stanslaus, who oversees the historic sites under the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA), said the arrival of the cruise ship signals strong progress in cultural tourism, particularly in Tanzania’s southern tourism circuit.
“We are pleased to welcome visitors from across the world to experience the rich and layered history of Kilwa Kisiwani,” he said. “These ruins are a testimony to the region’s importance as a centre of global trade during the medieval period, connecting East Africa with Arabia, Persia, India and beyond.”
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara are renowned for their stone-built mosques, palaces and settlement layouts, which reflect centuries of Swahili civilisation and Indian Ocean trade.
During the visit, tourists toured key archaeological monuments, including the Great Mosque, among the oldest standing mosques on the East African coast, and the Sultan's Palace (Husuni Kubwa), once a symbol of regional authority and maritime wealth.
The visitors were accompanied by heritage conservation guides who provided historical and archaeological interpretation, detailing the architectural design, trade routes and cultural exchanges that shaped Kilwa’s prominence between the 13th and 16th centuries.
Mr Stanslaus noted that increased visibility of Kilwa Kisiwani aligns with ongoing government efforts to diversify Tanzania’s tourism portfolio beyond wildlife and safari-based attractions.
According to TAWA, cruise tourism and cultural heritage travel are expected to grow as the government continues to improve site accessibility, community involvement, and conservation of historical structures.
“This visit forms part of sustained efforts by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to strengthen heritage tourism in coastal and island environments,” Mr Stanslaus said.
Local businesses in Kilwa town also benefited from the visit through transportation services, handicraft sales and hospitality, contributing to the area’s economic gains.