Mikindani (or Mikandani) means 'young palm trees' in KiSwahili. Mikindani is an old historical Swahili town, with over 50 ruined building dating back to pre-colonial times. It lines the shores of Mikindani bay, a safe and secluded harbour to the north of Mtwara - the regional capital.
The original Inhabitants of Mikindani were the Makonde Tribe who were joined in the 9th Century AD by Arab traders. A further influx of Arabs occurred in the 17th century under the Sultan Seyyid Said, the graves and mosques from this period can be seen.
In the 19th century under German colonial rule the fort (boma) a prison and a dock were constructed in the village. During World War I the prison was largely destroyed, what remained was turned into a customs house. In 1947 the British moved their base for the area to Mtwara where there is a superior harbour.
The town is set on the rolling hills of the southern coast of Mikindani Bay. this bay is a small heart shaped bay. The southern arm of the bay contains a small number of houses (and a holiday complex) called Litingi. On the far side of the bay mouth there is a small fishing village called Pemba.
The Town is right on the main Mtwara-Lindi road, about 10km from Mtwara. The town can be reached easily from Mtwara via regular bus services.
After Mtwara was founded and the local government moved there, Mikindani became a backwater. It has a large market and several restaurants. The town has increased in prosperity during the past decade, starting with the renovation of the boma as a hotel in the late 1990s. Since then other hotels, bars and a yacht club have been founded. Despite this, the majority of the population exists from subsistence farming.
The town is mainly Muslim though there is a significant Christian population.
It has access to excellent long sandy and unpopulated beaches, snorkeling, world class diving, in the Mnazi bay marine park with ECO2 diving center, Mkonde and Rubondo plateaus and for a longer day out, the Newala Game reserve.
There are a couple of places to stay - the Old Boma being the highest standard - an old German building now renovated into a 5 star hotel, and the more economical 10 Degrees South - part of the ECO2 diving center.
The town is home to Livingstone House, the place from which Dr. Livingstone set out on his last expedition.
The famous Dr Livingstone of "Dr Livingstone I presume" fame had a house here, which is still standing and in the process of renovation. The many other old ruined buildings are in a worse state of repair, however there is a project underway to restore them. A town walk is interesting as there are virtually no tourists at all.
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