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Around
Tanga |
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Pangani |
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The
name Pangani owes to the river that runs through northern part of the
Historical Town. Pangani is a very old town, it is believed to be
established before the 6th Century BC and played an important role during
the slave trade era. It was a trading port dealing mainly with slaves and
ivory. Several historical sites in and around the town serve as reminders
for the strong Arabic influence and the later German, British colonial era
in Tanganyika.
Nowadays it is mainly a fishing town with a lot of coconut trees, providing
nice beaches for a quiet vacation. Pangani is situated about 50km south of
Tanga on the mouth of River Pangani that flows from the slopes of Mount
Kilimanjaro.
Where to stay in Pangani:
www.mkomabay.com
www.capricornbeachcottages.com
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Amboni Caves |
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These are natural limestone underground caves formed during the natural
Jurassic age around 150 million years ago. There are 10 caves, with
fascinating chambers, the longest is about 900m long. One of the caves is
used for guided tours, some are up to 13 meters high. They form the most
extensive cave system in East Africa.
The caves have religious significance to the local people who pray and make
offerings in one of the shrines.
Several stories about the caves are told on the cave tours. There is for
example the story of two European ex-army officers. After World War II they
tried to explore the caves, with heavy equipment and accompanied by a dog.
They never returned, but their dog was found a few months later outside
another cave. The dog was identified by its ID tag. What makes the story a
spooky legend is the place where the dog was found: 400km away at the
foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro.
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Amani
Botanical Gardens |
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Amani Forest Nature Reserve is one of the latest Nature Reserve established
by the government to protect flora and fauna of east Usambara. It harbours
some of the animals only seen in Usambara such as Nduk eagle owl. It was
first established in 1902 as an agriculture research station by the Germans,
and was turned into a nature reserve in 1997. Amani Botanical gardens, the
second largest botanical garden in the world lies in this reserve. Today the
area continues to play a significant part in medical research hosting the
Amani Medical Research Centre . The Nature Reserve has now been turned into
an eco tourism attraction with greater emphasis on walking and hiking. It is
located in Tanga region.
Walking and hiking through the forest is the main attraction.
Well-established walking routes are present. While walking, you have an
opportunity to see the black and white colobus monkey, the blue monkey, and
the reserve's main attraction, the Nduk eagle owl, a species found only in
Amani. You will also see nine species of African violet garden flowers and
colorful butterflies some of them found only in Usambara. Other birds
include green headed oriole, Amani sunbirds, Uluguru violet backed, forest
warbler . To sum up, the area has wonderful birds, butterflies, animals and
plants some of them found only in this area.
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Lushoto |
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A small town
set in a valley at about 1200m at the centre of the western Usambara
mountains. An excellent base for hikes in the surrounding hills. |
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Safaris |
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Trips to National Parks around Tanzania can be arranged from Tanga. |
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