Shimoni
Encyclopedia
Shimoni is a port
in south eastern Kenya
near to the border with Tanzania
.
This small town is known for its Swahili
ruins and slave cave
s which are the focus of attraction for a community based project which sustains teachers salaries and health causes. In the 1890s it was once the centre of the British colonial power's District and the abolition of the slave trade in this area of Africa. Over time it has developed from a sleepy fishing village to become the main port of clearance for ocean going trade Dhows arriving from as far away as the Arab states of the Persian Gulf
, the island of Zanzibar
and Dar es Salaam
.
In certain seasons, the aromatic smell of cloves permeates the evening calls to prayer in the towns two main mosques.
There is a Deaf school, "Kichakamkwaju Unit for the Deaf" located in about 4km north from Shimoni village. Kichakamkwaju Unit for the Deaf is based on Kichakamkwaju Primary School compound. Both are administered by the Kenya Ministry of Education. A dormitory building and provided eight sewing machines are sponsored by Kenya Kesho, Go See Kenya and Charlie Claw's.
Its tourist attractions include scuba diving areas both within and outside protected marine reserves at Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park. Located in a district with the highest infant mortality of the country, and given the general poverty levels in the area, it is arguable whether the environmental and socio economic inputs from the Kenya Wildlife Service
do justice to the money collected from large numbers of foreign visitors frequently led here. Most are not supervised and thus are environmentally insensitive to delicate corals and reefs and the sensitivity of local communities.
Located on well stocked fishing grounds, the adjacent Pemba Channel has a world wide reputation for sports angling. Many of IGFA Kenya, All Africa and World Records are obtained here.
Lodging choices are Betty's Camp, Shimoni Coral Reef Lodge, Shimoni Gardens Resort and for budget types, Eden Bandas. A little further away is a small no frills gem - Mwazaro Mangrove Lodge. Though all these have shortcomings they don't charge you for them and a traditional Kenya smile is always present.
Wasini Island
lies 2 km across the water channel which divides Wasini from the mainland.
Port
A port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....
in south eastern Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
near to the border with Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
.
This small town is known for its Swahili
Swahili architecture
Swahili architecture is a style of building along the eastern and southeastern coasts of Africa. Though essentially of Arabic or Persian style and origin; archaeological, written, linguistic, and cultural evidence also suggests strong African influence and sustainment. There is evidence of enduring...
ruins and slave cave
Cave
A cave or cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. The term applies to natural cavities some part of which is in total darkness. The word cave also includes smaller spaces like rock shelters, sea caves, and grottos.Speleology is the science of exploration and study...
s which are the focus of attraction for a community based project which sustains teachers salaries and health causes. In the 1890s it was once the centre of the British colonial power's District and the abolition of the slave trade in this area of Africa. Over time it has developed from a sleepy fishing village to become the main port of clearance for ocean going trade Dhows arriving from as far away as the Arab states of the Persian Gulf
Arab states of the Persian Gulf
"Arab states of the Persian Gulf" or "Arab Persian Gulf states" or "Persian Gulf Arab states" or "Arabic Persian Gulf states" or "Arab States of The Gulf", are terms that refer to the six Arab states of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman, bordering the Persian Gulf....
, the island of Zanzibar
Zanzibar
Zanzibar ,Persian: زنگبار, from suffix bār: "coast" and Zangi: "bruin" ; is a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania, in East Africa. It comprises the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of the mainland, and consists of numerous small islands and two large ones: Unguja , and Pemba...
and Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam , formerly Mzizima, is the largest city in Tanzania. It is also the country's richest city and a regionally important economic centre. Dar es Salaam is actually an administrative province within Tanzania, and consists of three local government areas or administrative districts: ...
.
In certain seasons, the aromatic smell of cloves permeates the evening calls to prayer in the towns two main mosques.
There is a Deaf school, "Kichakamkwaju Unit for the Deaf" located in about 4km north from Shimoni village. Kichakamkwaju Unit for the Deaf is based on Kichakamkwaju Primary School compound. Both are administered by the Kenya Ministry of Education. A dormitory building and provided eight sewing machines are sponsored by Kenya Kesho, Go See Kenya and Charlie Claw's.
Its tourist attractions include scuba diving areas both within and outside protected marine reserves at Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park. Located in a district with the highest infant mortality of the country, and given the general poverty levels in the area, it is arguable whether the environmental and socio economic inputs from the Kenya Wildlife Service
Kenya Wildlife Service
The Kenya Wildlife Service, otherwise known by the initialism KWS, is a Kenyan state corporation that was established in 1990 to conserve and manage Kenya’s wildlife...
do justice to the money collected from large numbers of foreign visitors frequently led here. Most are not supervised and thus are environmentally insensitive to delicate corals and reefs and the sensitivity of local communities.
Located on well stocked fishing grounds, the adjacent Pemba Channel has a world wide reputation for sports angling. Many of IGFA Kenya, All Africa and World Records are obtained here.
Lodging choices are Betty's Camp, Shimoni Coral Reef Lodge, Shimoni Gardens Resort and for budget types, Eden Bandas. A little further away is a small no frills gem - Mwazaro Mangrove Lodge. Though all these have shortcomings they don't charge you for them and a traditional Kenya smile is always present.
Wasini Island
Wasini Island
Wasini Island lies off the southern Indian Ocean coast of Kenya next to Shimoni. It is approximately 5 km long and 1 km across. The Island is sparsely populated and undeveloped. There are no cars or roads. A site of early Swahili civilization, this coral island is occupied by the Vumba...
lies 2 km across the water channel which divides Wasini from the mainland.