PANGANI

Pangani

The name Pangani owes to the river that runs through northern part of this Historical Town. Pangani is an ancient town, and is believed to have been established before the 6th Century BC and played an important role during the slave trade era.

It is mainly a fishing town dotted with coconut trees, providing beautiful beaches for quiet vacation. Pangani is situated about 50km south of Tanga on the mouth of River Pangani that flows from the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Pangani River hosts birds and crocodiles. Maziwi Island is a nature reserve which provides ground for snorkeling opportunity and dolphin tour. A walking tour though the town 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.

Pangani town elders serve as knowledgeable guides who can impart their vast knowledge of Pangani history and culture going back to the 15th century as they take you through the town. In 1810, the Arabs constructed the central boma building, people were buried alive under the pillars during construction as it was believed this would ensure strong foundations. Later the German administration used the buidings as a colonial district office and added a european style roof giving the building a unique appearance. The intricate Arab carved doors and foundation (still strong!) remain and the building is now used as the district commissioners office.

The city has numerous historical monuments: the original slave depots and slave market where arabs traded slaves to India and Arabia, the Freedom Grounds, Islamic and German graves, ancient mosques and traditional houses.

Other tours that are recommended include an "agricultural and nature walk", this shows you some of the beautiful scenery and culture of Pangani. You visit local farmers and see various agriculture projects in the area such as coconut processing at Kikowea. A German fort facing the Pemba channel is the birth place of sisal growing in africa, here Richard Hindroph, a German botanist, planted the first sisal seedlings in 1892. You will see the sisal estates and factories and sisal plantations.

Then you walk along the coastline to a unique coral shore where the fossils of a 200-300 million year old dinosaurus rest in the area known as Mkomo and Mwanaunguja coral. During this tour you can swim or rest on some of the most spectacular beaches in Tanzania.

For tours and activities at Pangani, please visit Packages page.