The dhow embarks from Shimoni (meaning 'place of the cave' in Kiswahili), a small fishing village on the mainland. It is worth visiting the caves, reputed to extend some 5 kilometres inland. Access for visitors to this historical site is only possible at the main entrance cavern. The cavern immediately behind it, now only accessible via a hole in the roof of the cave, has a spring of fresh water in it. For centuries, the caves were used "Kayas" (shrines) and also as hiding places where local people would go to avoid attack by marauding tribes, often Masaai. It is almost certain that the caves were used by Arabs in the 18th and 19th centuries as a slave pen, where the slaves were held waiting the arrival of dhows to take them to Zanzibar. There are also a rare species of bat, the Flying Fox, which have made the cave their home.
Shimoni was once the headquarters of the Imperial East Africa Company, long before Kenya became a British colony. Remains of the old headquarters’ building can still be seen, as well as some interesting grave sites dating to the 18th century.
The nominal fee of Kshs 100/= for a 10-15 minute tour of the cave goes towards helping the local community with projects such as and improving the clinics, paying wages for the local primary school teachers and also supporting the orphans in the village. |
