Pangani is a small town on East Africa’s coast that was 50 kms South of Tanga with a long history of culture. The city has Arabic, German, Asian, and British Colonial rules influence. This is a place where Swahili, Arab, colonial traditions, and modern hospitality blend together.

This town is located at Pangani River’s mouth that collects its water from Mt Kilimanjaro and Meru to the Indian Ocean. Here you will enjoy coastline with clean beaches where endangered Green Turtles breeds, historic sites, coral reefs, Old Port, and great diversity of tropical marine dwellers.

At the point where the massive Pangani River empties itself into the Indian Ocean, a village has grown. The Pangani River passes through the northern side of the town, separating the old buildings and the present-day market from the farms and tiny houses on the southern side. The river itself requires a ferry to cross; its dark brown waters filled heavily with alluvial silt as it meanders slowly into the ocean. On either side of the little town, coconut palms and sisal plantations undulate towards the horizon.

Once a center of Swahili trade with the African mainland, the town of Pangani is now a sleepy backwater with little memories of days of splendor. The old German administrative boma still stands behind a colonnade of tall shade trees, and the former prison, painted a fading ochre red, looks over the river’s lazy waters. Old houses and the main road offer lived-in examples of colonial and traditional Swahili architecture, slowly crumbling against the monsoon winds. Visitors passing through the area would do well to explore what remains of the old town on foot. Even a short walk rewards visitors with a glimpse of quiet life in the ancient trading towns along the Swahili Coast.

PANGANI OFFERS

– Historical town tour… Explore Historical buildings of Pangani town, slave market, old port, and slave routes

– Pangani River cruising

– A boat trip to Maziwe Marine Park Island for swimming, sun-bathing, snorkeling, and watching dolphins

– Village tours.. a welcome to Coast people’s home and stay with a family getting an insight into the Swahili culture. Participate in various activities with the family members

Getting there:

Pangani can be easily accessed by road. There are daily buses leaving Dar- es -Salaam and Arusha to Pangani via Tanga. It takes 6 hours drive from Arusha and 7 hours from Dar- es Salaam. Pangani is 53km South of Tanga town, where several minibusses to Pangani are available. Minibusses leave once all seats are occupied, and it takes an hour to Pangani.