Lindi is a coastal town situated on a bay of the same name, on the Indian Ocean in southern Tanzania. Lindi is 450 km south of Dar es Salaam and 105 Km north of Mtwara (which is the southernmost coastal town in Tanzania). The town also and gives its name to the surrounding Lindi Region which is one of the most lightly populated areas in Tanzania. The population was 41,549 as of the 2002 Tanzania national census.
Lindi is located at the mouth of the Lukuledi River. Its port facilities are still basic, one or two small cargo and passenger boats can dock at the same time. The port cannot cope with large ocean-going ships. The region was once an important sisal plantation area before the bottom dropped out of the market with the advent of cheap synthetic rope. Lindi airstrip is 25 kilometers north of town and during the rainy season Lindi is only accessible by air and sea. The roads open during the dry season. Currently there is a huge road building project going on which will change this and make the road north to Dar es Salaam metaled. An old tarmac road connects Lindi town to Mtwara, passing through Mikindani (formerly an important Arab business settlement for explorers sailing along the east coast from Muscat and Oman to Sofala).
Lindi is a fairly busy town with Arab and Indian merchants owning the bulk of businesses. Islam is the main religion. The town has a market, a bus station, a post office, an airstrip (2 flights a week), several banks (2 with ATMs), an Internet cafe and numerous guest houses. The main occupation in the area is fishing on Lindi Bay and some small scale farming on the outskirts of the town.
During the colonial era, a transfer to Lindi was perceived as a demotion.
Lindi is a seldom visited town half way between the historical coastal towns of Kilwa and Mtwara. It is mainly a stop off town for the tiny number of tourists traveling south, but does have good access to the plateaus of Mkonde and Rubondo.
Unfortunately the roads are bad, but work is underway to metal them which will make Lindi more accessible.
For more information on visiting Lindi, please contact us.
