The Polish Refugee Camp in Tengeru, near Arusha, is a powerful historical site that tells the story of thousands of Polish civilians who found refuge in Tanzania during World War II. Established in the early 1940s, the camp became home to Polish families—many of them women and children—who had been displaced after being deported to Siberia and later evacuated through the Middle East to British-controlled East Africa. At its peak, Tengeru was one of the largest Polish settlements in Africa, complete with schools, churches, workshops, farms, and community centers that allowed residents to rebuild their lives far from home.


Today, many of the original buildings still exist, offering a tangible glimpse into daily life at the camp, and the site remains deeply significant to both local and international history. A still-functioning Polish cemetery is preserved nearby, serving as a quiet memorial to those who never returned to Europe. Visiting Tengeru provides a moving opportunity to reflect on resilience, displacement, and the unexpected connections between Tanzania and global history.


This tour can be added to several other activities in the area such as: