Kilondoni Attractions

Kilondoni is the main town on Mafia Island with classic Swahili buildings featuring carved doors and a small market. The relaxed atmosphere of Kilondoni has been maintained to keep the feel of the old Swahili coast. The shoreline is a highlight for visitors as they watch the construction of traditional boats. The boats, weighing as much as 100 tons, are built with timbers prepared by hand and the frames are made from naturally v-shaped branches of trees. These huge jahazis are increasingly rare except on the beach at Kilondoni where three or four of these great giants are still in service.

Kilondoni shows evidence of its past connections through the architecture found throughout the town as well as the carved doors, also found throughout the ports on the Indian Ocean.