Amboni Caves

The Amboni caves were cut by water into limestone laid down when this coast was under a shallow sea, and they are generally described as the most extensive cave system in East Africa, with around ten chambers open of a much larger network. Guides take visitors through with lamps, pointing out formations that have acquired names, a statue of the Virgin used for offerings, and passages that local tradition holds run for great distances inland. Bats occupy the deeper chambers.

What you actually see

• The main chambers - around ten open chambers of a much larger system.
• The formations - stalactites and columns given names by the guides.
• The shrine - a place of offering inside one of the chambers.
• The bats - colonies occupying the deeper passages.

When to go

June to February; the caves flood in the long rains from March to May and access can close. Mornings are best. Guides are compulsory and arranged at the entrance.

Honest expectations

Lighting is by hand torch and the floors are wet and uneven. Guides are compulsory and their commentary mixes fact with local legend without distinguishing them. Flooding closes the caves for parts of the year.

Nearby

Tanga is south, and Amani is west.