People who move often miss Pangani, which is a great find! While the beaches on the shore of Pangani aren’t easy to get to, they are worth the trouble for people who want to find peace and quiet in a real tropical hideaway instead of the busy and expensive islands. This small town is still a paradise. It is 50 km south of Tanga and 170 km south of Mombasa.

How Pangani came to be

On the rocks north of Pangani, archaeologists have found the remains of small towns that were built in the 1400s. But people didn’t know about the place until the 1800s. At one point, it was a key stop on the caravan paths that went from Lake Tanganyika to Zanzibar. From Bagamoyo to Mombasa, it was one of the busiest docks and a major place to ship slaves and ivory. Plantations of copra and sisal were set up in the area. A number of European missions and trips to explore the interior started here as well.

Things were more interested in Tanga and Dar es Salaam by the end of the 1800s. Pangani disappeared once more. Large sugar and coconut farms were built here starting in the 1860s. These were worked on by slaves because Pangani was a major hub for the slave trade.

Today, the sleepy, run-down town is an interesting way to go back in time. There are both Arab and European styles of architecture in the homes that line Pangani’s main street, which gives you an idea of the town’s past.

Why go to Pangani?

The peaceful Pangani is a great spot to unwind and rest. It’s on the Indian Ocean and has lots of things to do when you go there. You can enjoy the beach and go fishing or diving. Most of the hotels offer fishing trips as well as windsurfing, kayaking, and dhow rides. It is possible to plan longer trips, like the one to Zanzibar Island, a boat on the Pangani River, or maybe even a trip further south to the newly created Saadani National Park.

The best time to go to Pangani I

Pangani is a place you can visit any time of the year, but the beaches are at their best from June to November. You can also go to Pangani in January and February.
It takes 1.5 hours to drive from Tanga to Pangani.

5.5 hours to drive from Pangani to Saadani National Park

Pangani to Maziwi Island is 15 km away by boat.

Our experts have given us travel tips for Pangani.

Ali is my name, and I’ve been a guide in Pangani for 12 years. Most of our guests like how calm and quiet the town is and how beautiful the beaches are. There are different types of people who like the water sports. Some like to relax, explore the mangroves, or take a cruise on a dhow.

How long are you staying? Two days, based on what you want to do

Which hotel?

Silver for The Beach Crab, Gold for Pangani Cliffs Lodge, and Platinum for Kijongo Bay Beach Resort.