Pangani

Pangani Holiday Guide

Situated on Tanzania’s northern Swahili Coast, 40 km south of Tanga, lies a hidden gem. At the point where the massive Pangani River empties itself into the Indian Ocean, a village has grown. Once a centre of Swahili trade with the African mainland, the town of Pangani is now a sleepy backwater far removed from its days of splendour.

The Pangani River passes through the north side of the town, separating the old buildings and the present-day market from the farms and small houses on the south side. The river itself requires a ferry to cross, its dark brown waters heavy 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.

Along the coast, north and south of Pangani, fabulous beaches attract travellers in search of a quiet place to stay on a Pangani holiday, far removed from the crowds of Zanzibar.

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Attractions in Pangani

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 along the main road offer lived-in examples of colonial and traditional Swahili architecture, the buildings slowly crumbling against the monsoon winds. Even a short walk rewards visitors with a glimpse of quiet life in the old trading towns along the Swahili Coast.

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Highlights of Pangani

1	Take a walking tour of the old town to reveal relics of a rich colonial heritage.
2	Experience a Pangani River sunset cruise where hippos lurk and fishermen cast nets for prawns.
3	Chill for a few days off-the-beaten track in a beachside hotel or lodge.
4	Take a boat trip out to Maziwe Island, snorkel, sunbathe and unwind on the Indian Ocean.