These fascinating Caves are Tanzania’s most extensive limestone caves, located 8 kilometers north of Tanga region in Kiomoni village along Mombasa-Tanga highway. The caves are believed to have been formed around 150 million years ago during the Jurassic period and cover nearly 234 square kilometers.
Welcome to Amboni Caves
These fascinating Caves are Tanzania's most extensive limestone caves, located 8 kilometers north of Tanga region in Kiomoni village along Mombasa-Tanga highway. The caves are believed to have been formed around 150 million years ago during the Jurassic period and cover nearly 234 square kilometers. The caves area is distinguished by rock-walled gorges, limestone pavements cut by deep fissures and dongas, fields of eroded limestone pillars, and extensive systems of caves and rock shelters opening to the surface within the gorges. There are a total of ten caves altogether and have a number of chambers that are quite dark inside; however, only one is open for guided tours and can be easily accessed in this method.
The Amboni caves are limestone caves found in East Africa and are the most expansive in the region. The caves are situated eight kilometers to the north of Tanga in Tanzania along the Mombasa-Tanga highway. These caves are estimated to have been formed 150 million years ago in the Jurrasic age and span a region of 234 square kilometers. As per researchers, the area was submerged in water about 20 million years ago. There are a total of ten caves although only one is used for tours.
Discovery of the Amboni Caves
In 1892, Amboni Limited, a company that mainly operated sisal plantations in the region procured the area. It alerted the British Colonial administration of the Amboni caves and in 1922, the site was declared a conservation area.
Although the exact time when the Amboni caves were discovered is unknown, reports suggest that the caves were used for prayers by ethnic groups such as the Sambaa, Bondei, Digo, and Segeju who resided near them. The government of Tanganyika consigned the caves to the Department of Antiquities in 1963.
Amboni caves are attributed to several awe-inspiring and mythical stories as well as a number of local legends. The local people regard the caves as supernatural features where divine powers locally referred to as “Mizimu” have resided ever since the caves were formed. Some chambers in the caves are treated as sacred where spirits such as “Mzimu wa Mabuvu” are worshipped. Some of the residents hold the belief that there exists a spirituous deity that can relieve their suffering, and sickness and even boost their fertility.
Potential Causes of Amboni Caves Formation.
The formation of the limestone Amboni caves was due to a unique type of erosion. As per Mturi (1975 to 2018-19), their formation can be explained by three theories. The first one is the video process. This theory states that carbon (IV) oxide is absorbed by rainwater in the atmosphere to form a weak carbonic acid that can dissolve calcium carbonate, the minerals that form limestone. As this acidified rainwater seeps through the limestone, it dissolves it forming caves and cavities.
The second theory is known as the phreatic origin. This theory argues that the formation of the Amboni caves was due to erosion of the sub-water table. The acidulated rainwater seeps through the limestone to reach the water table where it is saturated as a calcium bicarbonate solution. Here it is a potential dissolving agent for calcium carbonate.
The Amboni caves are situated in Kiomono village and are thought to be the most expansive limestone caves in the whole of East Africa. The caves stretch for one and a half kilometers and are an exciting historical site that was used by the local communities as hiding places. The caves are one of the most popular attractions in the area, having attracted hundreds of thousands of international and local tourists over the years. The interior of the caves is extremely dark and may be lethal. Most of the tunnels and chambers can be accessed by tourists through a guided tour.
