These atmospheric ruins (late 15th to early 16th centuries) were either a fort or a palace of the infamous Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman, who ruled Pemba prior to the arrival of the Portuguese. Locally, Rahman is known as Mkame Ndume (Milker of Men), and for Pembans his name is synonymous with cruelty. The primary feature is a large stone staircase that led from the kilometre-long channel (now dry) connecting this site to the ocean, and while only a few small walls are left standing, the remains of the ramparts give an indication of Pujini’s power in its heyday.
The ruins are located 10km southeast of Chake Chake, near Pujini. Dalla-dallas to Pujini (Tsh1000, one hour) are infrequent and the ruins are poorly signposted. A taxi from Chake Chake costs about Tsh30,000 return.
