Former Zanzibar Railway Bridge near Bububu

In 1905 the US Company Arnold Cheyney built a seven mile line from Zanzibar Town to the village of Bububu.

The Zanzibar Railway ran seven times a day to Zanzibar Town. The service was very popular with Zanzibaris. A first-class coach was also run for the passengers from steamers who wanted to see the island. On the way the railway traversed some of the narrowest streets of Stone Town.

In 1911, the railway was sold to the Zanzibari Government and by 1922 the passenger service had closed because the roads had improved and motor vehicles on the island had increased.

Today the remains of the railway’s bridges and embankments like this one, can be seen close to the main road to Bububu.