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The Amboni Caves are the most extensive
limestone
caves in
East Africa. It is located 8 km north of
Tanga City in
Tanzania off the Tanga-Mombasa road. The
caves were formed about 150 million years ago
during the
Jurassic age. It covers an area of 234 km˛.
According to researchers the area was under
water some 20 million years ago. There are
altogether ten caves but only one is used for
guided tours.
History
Amboni Limited, a company which was then
operating sisal plantations in
Tanga Region acquired the area in 1892. The
company notified the British colonial government
about the caves who in turn declared the caves a
conservation area in 1922.
It is not known when the caves were exactly
discovered but reports indicate that ethnic
groups such as the
Segeju,
Sambaa,
Bondei and
Digo who lived near the caves used it for
prayers.
In 1963, the then government of
Tanganyika handed over the caves to the
Department of Antiquities.
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