Nestled at the foot of Mount Meru in northern Tanzania lies the small town of Tengeru — quiet, green, and seemingly unremarkable. Yet hidden within it is a cemetery that tells one of the most unexpected and moving stories of World War II: the story of Polish refugees who found an unlikely haven in East Africa. The Tengeru Polish Cemetery holds the remains of hundreds of Poles, many of them children, who died in exile far from their homeland. Their journey to Tanzania is a story of forced displacement, survival, and the human capacity to rebuild life after unimaginable trauma.
Refugees from Poland in Africa
The roots of this story begin in 1939, when Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union invaded Poland, triggering the outbreak of World War II. Under Soviet occupation, hundreds of thousands of Polish citizens — including men, women, and children — were deported to labor camps in Siberia and other remote parts of the Soviet Union. Life in these camps was brutally hard, with freezing temperatures, forced labor, food shortages, and disease claiming many lives. In 1941, however, the Sikorski-Mayski Agreement between the Polish government-in-exile and the Soviet Union allowed for the release of many of these Polish citizens. What followed was a dramatic and perilous journey southward: through Central Asia, Persia (now Iran), and eventually to British-controlled territories in Africa.
Tanzania, then known as Tanganyika, was one of the countries that accepted Polish refugees. In 1942, a settlement was established in Tengeru, near Arusha, which would become one of the largest Polish refugee camps in Africa. At its peak, the camp was home to around 4,000 Polish refugees — mostly women, children, and the elderly. Despite being far from home, the Poles in Tengeru managed to build a vibrant and functioning community. The camp had schools, a hospital, workshops, a church, and even scouting groups. Children continued their education, families grew food, and life slowly took on a rhythm. The camp was intended as a temporary refuge, but for many, it lasted years. Still, the transition was not easy. Many refugees arrived malnourished and ill from their long and arduous journey. Diseases such as malaria and dysentery were common. Some of the most vulnerable, especially young children and the elderly, did not survive. These individuals were buried in what is now known as the Polish Cemetery in Tengeru. Walking among the gravestones — many marked with Polish names and dates from the 1940s — is a poignant experience. The inscriptions tell stories of loss and resilience, of families torn apart and others who endured.
A place of Polish memory in Africa
Today, the Tengeru cemetery stands as one of the few physical reminders of this extraordinary chapter in history. A visitor can find more than 100 tombs of 3 different religions: Catholics, Orthodox and Jewish. It represents a forgotten legacy of World War II, in which Africans and Europeans shared space, resources, and fate during a time of global upheaval. For Tanzanians, it is a historical marker of the country’s role in offering sanctuary. For Poles, it is a sacred ground honoring those who found temporary peace in a foreign land after surviving profound suffering.
The story of the Polish refugees in Tengeru is not just about war and exile — it is about community, hope, and the human ability to adapt in the face of displacement. It challenges our understanding of refugee narratives and highlights the unexpected places where people can find solace and rebuild their lives. The cemetery continues to be visited by relatives of those buried there, as well as historians, travelers, and those seeking to understand the rich and complex threads that connect Poland and Tanzania through shared history.
If you pass by the cemetery in indicated on Google Maps. A wonderful human Joseph is the cemetery’s caretaker and you can contact him before arriving in order to make sure he will be available to open the gate and give you a guided tour. Please contact us so we could share Joseph’s phone number!
Kindly consider making a donation to Joseph for the maintenance of this historical place of Polish memory during your visit!
If you want to learn more about our tailored tours in Tanzania including visit in Tengeru
