The Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)
The Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)
The Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)
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- Kimberley SMiami, Florida1,245 contributionsA part of Zanzibar HistoryLike others have mentioned. It's were the walking tour starts. I also used it as a marking point when roaming the many narrow streets in town. History attached of course, defense mechanism back in the day, some sort of amphitheater inside. Vendors selling inside.Visited September 2023Traveled soloWritten September 26, 2023
- laczkozsuDebrecen, Hungary2,282 contributionsHistorical monumentIt’s erected by the Oman Arabs between 1698-1701. Later it was used as barracks and a prison. Now it’s open for tourists, it’s free, we walked around and took some photos. I liked the open air theatre, but I didn’t like the shops everywhere. I think they destroy illusion.Visited December 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten January 7, 2024
- graham eBirkenhead, United Kingdom581 contributionsPlenty of history but not much to seeClose to the sea front and on the main tourist route. Arabian, British and Portuguese ownership have shaped this crumbling fort. Open air amphitheatre with live music performances and small tourist shops selling the usual tourist nik naksVisited January 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 14, 2024
- Aruna GunawardenaColombo, Sri Lanka5,681 contributionsOld Fort Covered With VendorsWhat is most interesting is that the Old Fort is now full of people selling souvenirs. Because of this the true picture of this ancient fort cannot be seen. I think the government should organise another place for all vendors. May be around the night marketVisited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten May 28, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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3.0
802 reviews
Excellent
88
Very good
192
Average
370
Poor
117
Terrible
35
Rita
Kenya12 contributions
Nov 2020
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mohamed S
Al-Ansab, Oman9 contributions
Aug 2022
visited the fort in August. its presence over the old stone town as a landmark on the beach front is quiet significant. However, the lack of utilization of the fort facilities is a missed opportunity.
So much can be done within the fort walls and its surroundings, things like an actual museum with integrated shopping and F&B outlets plus utilizing the theater grounds for events and concerts more often than what it is for at the moment
So much can be done within the fort walls and its surroundings, things like an actual museum with integrated shopping and F&B outlets plus utilizing the theater grounds for events and concerts more often than what it is for at the moment
Written August 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
graham e
Birkenhead, UK581 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Close to the sea front and on the main tourist route.
Arabian, British and Portuguese ownership have shaped this crumbling fort.
Open air amphitheatre with live music performances and small tourist shops selling the usual tourist nik naks
Arabian, British and Portuguese ownership have shaped this crumbling fort.
Open air amphitheatre with live music performances and small tourist shops selling the usual tourist nik naks
Written February 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Haytham Abu Firas
Qatar20,602 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
The Old Fort, known as the Arab Fort and by other names, is a fortification located in Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar. It is the oldest building and a major visitor attraction of Stone Town. It is located on the main seafront, adjacent to another landmark building of the city, the House of Wonders (former palace of the Sultan of Zanzibar), and facing the Forodhani Gardens.
Nice theater in the middle, huge and fortified walls, many souvenirs shops and art gallery on the top.
Nice theater in the middle, huge and fortified walls, many souvenirs shops and art gallery on the top.
Written March 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MatthewASharp
Torquay, UK2,458 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Interesting history with a paid entrance, of which I didn't partake
The external walls along with its stonework could be restored and cleaned, but as it's Africa. It's gonna stay like this, which is a shame
Please read the history notices around its external walls to help explain is inception and subsequent additions and flourishes
I'm in two minds as to the internal usage for, yet more stalls selling the usual artworks, carved gifts and clothing. Yes it's colourful, and blends and adds colour to the fort but I still think it should be as is
The external walls along with its stonework could be restored and cleaned, but as it's Africa. It's gonna stay like this, which is a shame
Please read the history notices around its external walls to help explain is inception and subsequent additions and flourishes
I'm in two minds as to the internal usage for, yet more stalls selling the usual artworks, carved gifts and clothing. Yes it's colourful, and blends and adds colour to the fort but I still think it should be as is
Written February 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nojus
Lithuania2 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
When you are in Zanzibar don't miss to visit this museum. The old fort in swahili ngome kongwe .The building was built by the Arabs when they defeated the Portuguese in 1698. Very Important history to know about Zanzibar. My tour guide Suleiman gave us history about the British,Portuguese and the Arabs.
To know a lot it's better to get a guide .we really recommend Suleiman +255756983368.if you love history this is a place to visit
To know a lot it's better to get a guide .we really recommend Suleiman +255756983368.if you love history this is a place to visit
Written February 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anilpools
India14 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
If you like history this is the place . this place has long and interesting story of the Arabs and the Portuguese.its a nice place to add on your bucketlist.this is the last place to visit when doing the stone tour and no entrance fees.we have full confidence to recommend Suleiman our guide to all toursits +255756983368
To know alot and have deep history of the zanzibar city you must have a guide .
To know alot and have deep history of the zanzibar city you must have a guide .
Written December 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris P
Shanghai, China6,032 contributions
Dec 2019 • 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hermes_NL 🇳🇱
Amsterdam, The Netherlands21,575 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
The Old Fort is an impressive and dominant structure to see in Stone Town. You will be taken there on a tour of the city. Interesting that it is still very much in use as a theatre and as an art gallery, as well as residence of numerous trinket sellers.
Written April 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erindel66
Vilanova i la Geltru, Spain4,919 contributions
Oct 2021
Remains of the old fort built by the Omani Arabs after expelling the Portuguese in 1699.
In the 19th century it became a prison. It was also used as a railway station between 1905 and 1928. Around the 1950s it became a ladies' club, and finally an amphitheater was added in the 1990s and it is currently home to the Zanzibar International Film Festival. Other cultural activities are also held there.
Within its walls there are also some small art galleries and souvenir shops.
You just can admire its walls ... and nothing else.
In the 19th century it became a prison. It was also used as a railway station between 1905 and 1928. Around the 1950s it became a ladies' club, and finally an amphitheater was added in the 1990s and it is currently home to the Zanzibar International Film Festival. Other cultural activities are also held there.
Within its walls there are also some small art galleries and souvenir shops.
You just can admire its walls ... and nothing else.
Written September 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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