PANGANI

PANGANI OVERVIEW

The name Pangani is derived from the river that runs through the northern part of this historical town flowing from the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Located about 50km South from Tanga town, Pangani has a remarkable history dating back to the 15th century and traces of old buildings and monuments still can be seen. In the old days, it was a trading port dealing mainly with ivory and slaves. The historical sites of this place indicate the strong Arabic influence that the island had which was followed by German and British colonial era in Tanganyika. Now it is a thriving fishing town with beautiful beaches.

A walking tour through the town comprises of visits to some of the historical buildings from the colonial era and other traditional Swahili architectures that were built 200 years ago. Also visit the former slave labor camps, slave market centers, and the Freedom Grounds; Islamic and German graves; ancient mosques and traditional houses.

Other places of interest in Pangani include the Pangani River itself rich in bird life, the palm fringed sandy bay, and Mazinde Island (sandbank) Marine Reserve offering excellent waters for snorkeling.