Kizimkazi Mosque Mosque

Address: Kizimkazi village, Unguja South Region, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Admission: Free to view; mosque access may be limited-donations welcome

Kizimkazi Mosque is an early Islamic mosque located in the village of Kizimkazi on the southern coast of Unguja (Zanzibar), Tanzania. It dates to the medieval period and is recognised for its age and coral-stone construction.

The mosque displays traditional coral-rag masonry, historic liturgical features and carved inscriptions, and is visited for its architectural and historical significance. The surrounding village is a fishing community and a departure point for local boat tours.

Built in the medieval era, the mosque represents the early spread of Islam along the East African coast and the Swahili trading towns. Its fabric and inscriptions are of interest to historians of the Swahili coast and Islamic architecture.

The mosque stands in Kizimkazi on the southern shore of Unguja island in Zanzibar, Tanzania, and is reached by road from inland towns and from Stone Town on the western side of the island.

• Coral stone mosque: Constructed of local coral rag and featuring carved inscriptions and historic mihrab fragments, it is one of the oldest surviving Islamic structures on Zanzibar.

Kizimkazi is about 35-40 km south of Zanzibar Town (Stone Town). Travel by road takes about 1-1.5 hours by car or local dala‑dala minibuses. From the village small boats operate for coastal trips (e.g., dolphin tours), but mosque visits are best made on foot in the village itself.

• Visit at low tide to see coral foundations and get better photographs of the carved coral stonework.
• Dress respectfully: the mosque is used for prayer and is a sensitive historical site.
• Talk to local elders in Kizimkazi-stories about the mosque's age and origin differ and are worth hearing.