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Pangani
Pangani is a tranquil village located about
50km south of Tanga on the north east coast of Tanzania.
The name Pangani owes to the river
that runs through the northern part of the historical 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.
The history of Pangani dates from 975 AD when
it was an important stopover for the Arab dhows on the East African trade route.
In later years both the Germans and British added their own distinctive touches
to the architecture of the village which also became a terminus of the caravan
and slave route from Lake Tanganyika. for exporting slaves and ivory. Pangani
became a large, prosperous port, sisal plantations were set up while
missionaries and explorers began their journeys to the interior from here. By
the end of the 19th C, Tanga and Dar es Salaam became the hot spots while
Pangani waned.
Tours of Pangani include historical monuments such as the original slave depot,
with intact whipping posts and the slave market where Arabs traded slaves to
India and Arabia, the Freedom Grounds, Islamic and German graves, ancient
mosques, buildings from the German colonial period and traditional houses
Pangani Beaches
The beaches near Pangani are beautiful with long clean stretches of sand
offering none of the hassle which can be expected in Zanzibar, and the area is a
good start or end point to any safari.
Currently Pangani has not attracted the mass tourism hordes so is a great place
to find peace and solitude on deserted Indian Ocean palm fringed beaches.
Activities in
and around Pangani include:
- Pangani Town Tour allows one
to see some of old buildings that are over 200 years old, as well as visits to a
former slave labor camps and slave market site.
- Snorkeling: Dhow trips can be arranged from
hotels to visit offshore coral reefs. Some of the reefs have been recently
placed under protection so it is possible to see many species of colorful fish
and live corals. Snorkeling equipment is available.
- Sandbars: All-day visits are available from lodges to various offshore
sandbars. Organize a picnic lunch through your hotel or bring your own. The
sandbars offer beautiful views of the coast and are often surrounded by reefs
which are great for snorkeling. It is possible to combine snorkeling and sandbar
trips.
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