Mtoni Palace Ruins
Mtoni Palace Ruins
4.5
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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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
100 reviews
Excellent
67
Very good
25
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Ellen S
Doetinchem, The Netherlands101 contributions
Jan 2023
We went there in the morning for a small tour. There is a (very nice and enthousiastic) guide you have to use for 10.000 shilling and he shows you around and tells stories about the first sultan and his family who lived there. If you are interested in a bit of history and want to see ruins of a beautiful palace, you should definetely go here. You can combine it with a visit to the Maruhubi historical sites which are closeby. The ruins are about 5 kilometers from Stone Town. We asked our driver to make the 2 stops when we arranged our transport from the north to stone town. Because of the stops (took about an hour in total), we agreed to pay 10.000shilling more than the 40.000shilling we would otherwise had paid for the trip to stone town from kendwa.
Written 11 February 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.
Jackfruity
London, England27 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Fascinating ruins and history especially about Princess Salame who was born in 1844 and was favoured daughter of Said bin Sultan, the first sultan of Zanzibar (and also ruled as Sultan of Oman which is where he came from). The ruins are now in a poor state but enough remains to imagine the scene with the sultans large harem of consorts using the multiple baths, heated pools and sauna. Princess Salame before she died in Germany wrote extensively about the palace. Entrance is good value (note year 2024) at around 12000tsh for adults and 5000tsh for children. Nice team running the site who tell me that there are negotiations between Oman and Tanzanian governments about renovating the palace to it's original glory. Would be amazing to see if they ever manage to move ahead with that.
Written 12 August 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.
Christina
Clawson, MI37 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
DO make it a priority! It's an evening filled with a tour of palace ruins by a hilarious guide, an amazingly delicious dinner, drinks, an acting performance to share the history of the island, a beautiful musical performance that I still find myself humming, and finally once you're nice and buzzed, dancing for everyone- staff and guests. The staff was very friendly and warm, and I had a fantastic time. This experience made my trip to Zanzibar one of my best vacations ever.
Written 12 September 2016
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.
lacerasella
toscana195 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
I live and work in Zanzibar and i can say that this is an evening not to be missed!
The place has an old charm that has been enhanced by the great taste of Gioia!
You start with a small guided tour of the ruins followed by a tarab music concert ,delicious local food is served during the evening!Only on Friday,what a pity!
The place has an old charm that has been enhanced by the great taste of Gioia!
You start with a small guided tour of the ruins followed by a tarab music concert ,delicious local food is served during the evening!Only on Friday,what a pity!
Written 18 June 2013
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.
SASshipmateS87
Greer, SC360 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
This is a site steeped in history, however, there is only one informational sign and the building is in disrepair. This is a diamond in the rough with tremendous potential as a cultural & historical tourist site if preservation and restoration were to occur. Hiring a knowledgeable guide is highly recommended. We hired Anjam with Different Tours and he brought this site to life.
The ruins photograph beautiful and is wonderful for photo enthusiast. Shadows and architectural lines provide nice texture and background for photos. This should be a stop for any lover of history or photography-just do not expect grandeur like the ruins of Angkor Wat or Giza or preservation to the likes of European palaces.
The ruins photograph beautiful and is wonderful for photo enthusiast. Shadows and architectural lines provide nice texture and background for photos. This should be a stop for any lover of history or photography-just do not expect grandeur like the ruins of Angkor Wat or Giza or preservation to the likes of European palaces.
Written 28 January 2018
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.
Noel D
Alberton, South Africa7 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
Great night out and great music and food.
Pity about the cameraman filming the thing, got in front of everything and ruined any pictured you wanted to take. He didn't care about the people who paid for the experience, so he just got in the way of all the guests.
Pity about the cameraman filming the thing, got in front of everything and ruined any pictured you wanted to take. He didn't care about the people who paid for the experience, so he just got in the way of all the guests.
Written 17 August 2015
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.
Dear Guest,
Thank you for your review, we're glad that you enjoy the night and the concert in general.
We apologise for the interference of the cameraman, we normally do not have the cameraman on the concert. That particular night, however, we were filming the concert for marketing purpose to promote the Palace and the event.
Once again, we apologise for the interference caused on the night and we are looking forward to host you again in the future.
Kind regards,
Adil George
Written 19 August 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Carole C
London1 contribution
Jun 2013 • Family
A "must visit" evening with the best Tarab music on the island, wonderful food and a magical experience taking you through the history of Zanzibar amid the enchanting ruins of Mtoni Palace
Written 26 June 2013
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.
safariblue
Zanzibar Island, Tanzania28 contributions
Mar 2013 • Couples
As a long time expat living here in Zanzibar i am always keen to support new attractions and initiatives. The Friday evening concert at Mtoni Palace Ruins should NOT be missed. The programme starts with an entertaining and informative walking tour of the ruins with "Sultan Said". As the sun sets, you enter inside the ruins to a beautiful recreation of life inside the palace. There follows an evening of musical delight, sensual dancing and historical drama. Delicious local snacks and cold drinks are served during the evening. The attention to detail is perfect, the atmosphere magical and it is an unmissable evening for visitors and residents alike.
Written 16 March 2013
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.
catherinebinky2016
Cape Town, South Africa74 contributions
May 2016 • Solo
An informative tour of the Ruins at sunset. On returning to the main area, you walk into a candlelit, intimate dining area set up with musicians and cast transporting you back in time with narrations and song. It's mesmerizig and sadly all too soon the magic ends. Highly recommended
Written 12 April 2017
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.
Panamatenga
Pretoria61 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
A not to be missed experience,it is like being transported back in time to a place of the Sultans with song and Dance from a bygone era with good food, close to Stone town and worth every penny.
Written 16 February 2016
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.
Hi, how can we book and get to Mtoni Palace Ruins and listen to the music?
Kind regards
Jan Pettersson
Written 1 July 2019
Wo kann man einen Abend in den Mtoni Palace Ruins buchen ?
Written 15 March 2018
Dear christina,
I'm interested in knowing the tour comapny you organized this trip with. Thank!
Written 7 March 2018
How do we book this? And is it only on Tuesday and Friday nights?
Written 23 December 2017
I would like to book a dinner on December 26. How can I do it?
Written 28 November 2017
How does one get a tour guide and tickets? I am interested in attending the Tuesday June 7, 2016 concert but cannot find any place online that will take me. I will be staying in Bwejuu. Thank You.
Written 23 March 2016
Whoops, I see you were there last month. Did you make it? If so, how did you like it?
Written 18 July 2016
Hi, I am trying to find out the cost for this excursion, and how Bookings can be made???
Many Thanks,
Carol
Written 2 October 2015
Carol, did you get to attend? How did you manage?
Written 23 March 2016
How do we book or do we just drop in and what is the best time of the day to visit
Written 18 July 2015
Nancy, did you get to go? How did it work out? Do you have suggestions for me getting there?
Written 23 March 2016
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