150 years ago, millions of Africans had to bear a cruel fate, slavery.
They were captured by slave hunters, chained together and forced to walk some times hundred of kilometers to be sold for example to planters who used them as cheap labour in their fields. Central and East Africa was one of the main areas where the slave hunters and traders, most of them Arabs made their shady deals.
They caught their victims e.g. in some areas of Zanzibar and Tanzania and escorted them for batter through Mombasa. A cultural safari through parts of Kenyan coast and Ukambani- Makueni, Kitui and Mwingi will reveal the practice of slave trade in East africa. Some very influential individuals like Chief Kivoi of Ukambani really influenced this practice and were used by the westerners in their persuit of this practice.
The Slaves were brought to the coast and from there to the spice island of Zanzibar and many were sold further to the Arab countries, Persia, and India, Mauritania and Reunion. The clove plantations on Zanzibar and the oil-palm groves at Mombasa, developed by Said, needed a large labour force. This need was met by the slave trade.
Controlled from Mombasa and Zanzibar, the trade extended into Africa’s interior as far as Tanzania. Swahili slavers sometimes raided weak Bantu clans, but they generally traded for slaves with the stronger African states.
The cruelty of the slave trade revived European interest in Kenya.
The British consul in Zanzibar took the lead in the anti-slave-trade movement.
By the 1850s, in return for guarantees of continued protection, the sultan had signed treaties limiting the scope of the trade. Finally, in 1873, fearing that the British would support a European takeover of his empire, Said’s son Barghash agreed to abolition.
Officially, the slave trade was forbidden in 1873 under British pressure, but it went on secretly for several years.
Learn more of this on safari.
BACK TO ROOTS TOUR
Day 1
Arrival in Nairobi in time for an evening transfer to Mombasa via first class train service.
Dinner and overnight in the train.
Day 2: Mombasa
Arrival in Mombasa city in time for a city tour of Fort Jesus, Old town and learn about the history of Fort Jesus in time for lunch. Later evening take an excursion of Mombasa by night to learn history of Mombasa.
Dinner and overnight at a Mombasa beach hotel.
Day 3: Malindi
Breakfast and visit the slave caves of Mombasa. After, leave for Malindi in time for lunch. Afternoon, visit the Gedi Ruins and get to learn the history of these ruins.
Dinner and overnight at a hotel.
Day 4: Kibwezi
Breakfast and leave Malindi for Kibwezi through Chief Kivoi route accompanied by a narrator to explain the history of this great chief and how he influenced slave trade with a possible village excursion.
Dinner and overnight in Kibwezi Guest house.
Day 5: Kitui
Breakfast and leave for Kitui through same route the famous chief passed during slave trade. Get to discover some very unique insights about this ancient practice and the final resting place at Mutomo, of the great chief. Visit the famous Nzambani Rock.
Dinner and overnight at Kitui Tourist Inn or similar.
Day 6: Kitui/Mwingi
Breakfast and leave for Mwingi in time for lunch at Mwingi Tourist Resort or similar. After, take an afternoon village cultural visit to learn more about the locals or visit a bee keeping project, in time for dinner and overnight at Mwingi Tourist Inn or similar.
Day 7: Nairobi
Breakfast and leave for Nairobi, with a possibility of going through one of the most important dams in Kenya, the Masinga. Lunch enroute at Matuu Dallas hotel arriving in time for departure flight home.
Price for this safari US$1550. Minimum four people.
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