Pangani & Ushongo beach.
Tanga Town and Pangani became important trading centers for Slaves and Ivory when the Sultan of Muskat and Oman moved to Zanzibar in 1832 and controlled a coastal strip of 10 miles inland of the East African coast.
Pangani and Ushongo on the Southeast coast of the Tanga region have marvelous beaches all with fringing and offshore coral reefs and sandbanks. They are bordered by a range of uninhabited islands, some with historical lighthouses and ruins such as Maziwe Island marine park. The emergence of some decent lodges and beach resorts in recent years as well as better flight connections of coastal aviation and Auric air on daily basis attract a good number of international travelers and has seen the area emerge as a more laid back and lower-cost alternative to Zanzibar.
At the point where the massive Pangani River empties itself into the Indian Ocean, a village has grown. 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 are 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. Once a center of Swahili trade with the African mainland, the town of Pangani is now a sleepy backwater that little remembers its days of splendors.
The old German administrative BOMA still stands behind a colonnade of tall shade trees and the former prison, painted a fading ocher 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. 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 old trading towns along the Swahili Coast.
Pangani is close to the Saadani National Park which is unique for its extraordinary diversity of scenery and wildlife. Beach, Bush, and river have been thrown together in such a colorful clash of ecosystems; there is nothing to compare with it anywhere on the Eastern Coast of Africa.
Suggested Itineraries for Pangani: Minimum 4 Days/ 3 Nights Safari.
Ushongo Beach: is located just 16km from the Pangani ferry, and is deserted with no crowds and no troublesome beach hustlers, giving the guests the feeling of tranquillity and exclusivity.
Guests can walk for miles each way from the lodge along the deserted beach passing only the occasional friendly local fisherman. Just offshore is the Maziwe Marine reserve with the magical Maziwe island, a sandbank that only emerges at low tide and which is one of the most amazing snorkeling and diving spots site in Tanzania.
Maziwe Island Marine Park: is a sandbank surrounded by coral reefs. It takes about 50 minutes by boat from Ushongo offshore or an hour from Pangani to get to the Island. The island is ideal for extended picnics, relaxing, and discovering the underwater marine life by snorkeling for both beginners and experienced guests, Sunbathing, and Swimming. This trip includes a Boat ride, Snorkelling gear, Picnic Lunch, Fruits and Soft drinks of Sodas and Mineral water, and a Tour Guide. Life jackets will be provided for your safety.
Enjoy Day Fishing Tour: Fishing with locals for centuries, Pangani fishermen navigated through the Indian Ocean. Board a traditional dhow (6hrs) Cycle to the silver sand beaches of Ushongo Cross of Pangani River and pedal south for sunbathing, swimming, or enjoying the sumptuous cuisine in one of the beach’s hotels (9hrs).
Enjoy Pangani River Cruise: This is a half-day cruising dhow excursion (about 4 hours) that takes you through dense mangrove forests and coconut groves and diverse discover the varied flora and fauna and perhaps glimpse a crocodile.
The Pangani River originates from the feet of Mount Kilimanjaro. The cruise begins at the mouth of the river Pangani where fishermen reel in their day’s catch, then heads up the river along with stunning scenery of never-ending coconut plantations & mangroves. The mangroves are rich in birdlife and you can see Pied Kingfisher hiding in the branches of trees, Colobus monkeys looking for a shady area, and with a bit of luck some crocodiles or even hippos might come up to the surface.
We normally make our own shade on the boat and a fully stocked cooler box with cold drinks such as Soda, Coconut Juice, Mineral water, Fresh Juice, etc..will be at your disposal
The tour will be concluded with a lovely sunset on the river and sipping freshly picked coconut juice while enjoying a romantic sundowner.
Pangani Historical Sites Tour In Pangani town elders, serve as knowledgeable guides who can impart their vast understanding of Pangani history and culture as they lead you through Pangani town. In 1810, the Arabs constructed the Central Boma building and buried live humans at each pillar in the belief that a strong foundation would be formed. Later, the German administration used the establishment as a Colonial District office and added a European-style roof giving the building a unique appearance. The intricate carved doors and foundation still remain strong and are now used in the District Commissioner’s Office. Starting from the British Overseas Management Administration (BOMA).
The guided walks will lead to numerous historical monuments that Pangani is endowed with. The topic to be seen and visited during this guided tour are, visit 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, which will give a Tourist good insight into the 15th & 16th Century history and culture of Pangani town.
Fishing in pangani / Ushongo
The Indian Ocean off the East African coast offers fishing at any time of the year; though, if you intend to catch a specific kind of fish, it is best to travel in specific seasons when they are known to be present. Fish like kingfish, dorados, barracudas, giant trevally, ruby snappers, almaco jacks and wahoo are found all the year-round. But fish like yellowfin tuna, billfish like blue, stripped and black marlins, sailfish, broadbill, swordfish, and short bill spearfish are only seasonally found from August to March.
Deep-sea fishing with skipper Mike is a prime activity during your holiday stay in Pangani and Ushongo. Along the mainland coast, Pangani is one of the most popular areas for deep-sea fishing and the best fishing experience is fishing with Mike, going for Big Game Fishing in Tanzania, join skipper Mike to catch your own fish.
Who cares if you are an amateur or a well-experienced angler, the thrill and excitement of getting a bite and the struggle to land a fish that is determined to escape is truly unforgettable. As you will learn on your aquatic tour of Tanzania, the maritime authorities have taken special measures to ensure sustainable fishing, and there are firm regulations in place to ensure the protection of marine ecology on game fishing excursions in the country and also for the conservation of the delicate coral reefs and their many denizens. Our boat, the Sea Wolf, takes you out to the sites where the fish teem and is well-equipped with GPS navigational instruments. We comply with all other IGFA and other international regulations and your skipper Mike on board will direct and assist your efforts at all times.
