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The Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)

The Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe), Stone Town

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The Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)

See all things to do
See all things to do
The Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)
3
774
#14 of 30 things to do in Stone Town
Ancient Ruins
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
111 within 3 miles
Puzzle Coffee Shop
323
0.2 mi$ • Quick Bites • Brazilian • Cafe
Taarab Restaurant
633
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • International • Grill
Tea House Restaurant
633
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • African • Middle Eastern • Vegetarian Friendly
The Beach House Restaurant
693
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Grill • Fusion • Vegetarian Friendly
Ma Shaa Allah Cafe'
396
0.2 mi$ • Indian • African • Cafe
Emerson Spice Tea House Restaurant
777
0.2 mi$$$$ • African • Seafood • Fusion
Zanzibar Coffee House Cafe
1,068
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Dessert • Cafe • International
6 Degrees South Grill and Wine Bar
1,578
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • African • Bar • Seafood
Beyt al Salaam Restaurant
248
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • International • Grill
Lazuli
413
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • African • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
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Attractions
32 within 6 miles
Forodhani Gardens
1,887
384 ftParks • Gardens
East Africa Merchants Co.
1
487 ftArt Galleries
Freddie Mercury Museum
766
0.1 miSpeciality Museums
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Cathedral
19
0.1 miReligious Sites
Stone Town
833
0.2 miHistoric Walking Areas
Princess Salme Museum at Emerson on Hurumzi
37
0.1 miHistory Museums
The Beautiful Eyes
20
0.1 miArt Galleries
Palace Museum (Beit al-Sahel)
499
0.1 miHistory Museums
Cultural Arts Centre Zanzibar
8
0.2 miArt Galleries
Hurumzi Henna Art Gallery
19
0.2 miArt Galleries
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
3.0
774 reviews
Excellent
79
Very good
180
Average
363
Poor
117
Terrible
35
Ian W
Portsmouth, UK166 contributions
Free, bu not much there
The old fort looks quite imposing from the outside but when you go inside, unfortunately it doesn't quite live up to it. One 1/2 is taken up by a relatively modern concrete amphitheatre and tourist shops and the other half is left empty and used for concerts (they were setting up for a music festival when we visited. The walls are crumbling and the one tower you can climb has ramparts too high to see out of which is a shame as the view would have been very good i'm sure. The whole place can be seen in a matter of minutes and would benefit by having a notice or 2 explaining the history.
Written April 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MontyAreI
Toronto, Canada24 contributions
Would recommend
Free entrance, open most hours of the day. Local tours and excursions are offered inside.

Inside, there are many shops to browse, a restaurant/bar, a local art gallery, and more. It is also a hangout spot for many locals so you can meet many people this way too. We really enjoyed the air gallery and bought few things from there. We met many interesting and helpful locals here.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chris P
Shanghai, China4,924 contributions
Could do so much more
Couples
I thought this fort had so much potential, but is under utilized and developed. It is free to get in, so that is a plus. Make sure you visit the art gallery in one of the turrets to get a good view and walk along the wall. They do use the amphitheater for productions, which is fantastic. A number of stalls to meander around and even a restaurant. It was good to see local people using the space to chill out.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rita
Kenya12 contributions
Nice and relaxed place.
Ngome Kongwe presented a shortcut from our hotel MaruMaru to the beach, so it was always a lovely stop. Sitting on the stairs and watching local youth practise their music and acrobatics on the raised platform, taking in the history of the oldest building in Stone Town, feeling like I was back in the 1800s, and walking through the vendors stalls where Kikoys are woven using a loom as you watch, and African merchandise is sold at affordable prices. This was a lovely experience.
Written February 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
dmittleman
Palm Beach Gardens, FL1,443 contributions
Variety of Shopping
The exterior of the fort is in good condition. There is not much left on the interior. There are a lot of souvenir stands in the fort. There are also some artists' studios as well. Please note that the artists' do not like their pictures taken. The merchandise is really no different from other stores in town.
Written July 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
kelledstyle
Montreal, Canada833 contributions
Historical building
Friends
Since the iconic House of Wonders was closed for renovation, we went directly to the Old Fort. Over the centuries, the fort had various uses from prison to tennis club. Today, thanks to some modernization and the addition of the huge amphitheater, the fort is the headquarters of the Zanzibar International Film Festival. There are also several souvenir shops to buy some local finds and a lovely cafe that turns into a bar at night. Visit my Instagram (kelledstyle) for more pictures and my blog for more info :)
Written September 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Shaanicky S
Arusha, Tanzania44 contributions
Zanzibar Night life
Friends
January is the best place to visit this place, The history of the place and the Sauti za Busara events makes this place worth to visit.
Written June 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kurniawan Arif Maspul
Dubai, United Arab Emirates649 contributions
Great fortress in Zanzibar
Solo
It's beautiful historic place to visit in Zanzibar I visited today and observed that's great fortress ever built in Africa 🇹🇿
Written July 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tas G
Athens, Greece1,292 contributions
Unfortunately not well preserved
A historical monument at the end of stone town in front of the sea that unfortunately although is UNESCO world herritage has left at its own fate. Graffiti on the walls, posters, no any security. Its a pitty for such a place not to be well preserved
Written January 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
steveD4862CA
London, UK106 contributions
Not much to see but worth the visit
A small fort now full of artisan shops a crazy theatre and a nice bar to get a coffee or a cool beer.
Written March 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about The Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)
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