Gede Ruins is a 12th-century Swahili village, now a National Museum. It was mysteriously abandoned about 600 years ago. The ruins are overgrown with indigenous forest trees, baobabs, and tamarind trees. Experts estimate that around 2,500 people lived in Gede at its peak. The ruins were rediscovered in the 1920s and became a Historical Monument in 1927. Excavations have revealed mosques, a palace, residential houses, and elaborate pillar tombs. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about Swahili culture, walk nature trails with 40 plant species, and observe wildlife like forest birds, Sykes Monkeys, and Golden Rumped Elephant Shrews. The Gede Ruins National Monument & Museum is open daily from 7 am to 6 pm.
