Top Attractions in Tanga
Tanga is both the name of the most northerly port city of Tanzania on the west of the Indian Ocean, and the surrounding Tanga Region. It is the Regional Headquarters of the region. With a population of 273,332 in 2012, Tanga is one of the largest cities in the country. It is a quiet city compared to, for example, Arusha or Moshi with a comparable number of inhabitants.
The city of Tanga sits on the Indian Ocean, near the border with Kenya. Major exports from the port of Tanga include sisal, coffee, tea, and cotton. Tanga is also an important railroad terminus, connecting much of the northern Tanzanian interior with the sea.
Tourist Attractions in Tanga
The many interesting destinations to visit in and around Tanga Region include: historic Tanga City centre, off-shore islands – Toten, Ulenge, Yambe and Karange, Maziwe Island off Pangani, nearby Amboni Caves, Gallanos Hot Springs and Tongoni Ruins. Tanga Regions hosts several protected areas: Saadani and Mkomazi National Parks, Amani Nature Reserve, Coelacanth Marine Park and Maziwe Island Marine Reserve.
The region also has lush mangrove forests, pristine semi-arid forests along the coast and on the islands. Tropical rainforests of the scenic Usambara Mountains reach up to 2,000 meters above sea level and are part of the international biodiversity hotspot “Eastern Arc Mountains” with their rich endemic flora and fauna. Particularly famous are the “African Violets” (called “Usambara Violets” in Germany). Other attractions include Maasai and Paré settlements in Handeni and Korogwe and the famous Tanga sisal estates.
Top Attractions in Tanga
Amboni Caves
The Amboni Caves are the most extensive limestone caves in East Africa. They are located 8 km north of Tanga City in Tanzania off the Tanga-Mombasa road.
Urithi Tanga Museum
URITHI Tanga Museum ni makumbusho ya urithi wa Tanga, yaliyoanzishwa mwaka 2007 na asasi isiyo ya kiserikali inayoitwa Tanga Heritage Centre (URITHI).
Toten Island
Toten Island is a small uninhabited and protected island situated north of the city of Tanga's harbour in Tanga Region, Tanzania.
Usambara Mountains
The Usambara Mountains of northeastern Tanzania in tropical East Africa, comprise the easternmost ranges of the Eastern Arc Mountains.
Mkomazi National Park
Mkomazi National Park is located in northeastern Tanzania on the Kenyan border, in Kilimanjaro Region and Tanga Region.
Saadani National Park
Saadani National Park is Tanzania's 13th national park and has an area of 1,062 km². It is managed under the Tanzania National Parks Authority.
Tanga Mini Guide
History, natural,cultural & built heritage.
Tanga Region covers 27,348 km2 (3% of the total area of the country) and has an estimated population of nearly two million inhabitants, with at least 300.000 living in Tanga City. While most people in the hinterland are small farmers and livestock keepers, the coastal rural inhabitants live off fishing and small-scale farming. Others are engaged in trades, boat building, salt harvesting and charcoal making. Tanga has the second largest port of Tanzania.
The region offers a wide range of beautiful places to visit: the long Indian Ocean coastline with its sheltered bays and lagoons, such as Moa Bay, Manza Bay, Kwale Bay, Tanga Bay and Mwambani Bay; Kigombe, Pangani and Ushongo have marvellous 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 Ulenge Island and Toten Island. Some offer accommodation in small resorts.
The many interesting destinations to visit in and around Tanga Region include: historic Tanga City centre, off-shore islands – Toten, Ulenge, Yambe and Karange, Maziwe Island off Pangani, nearby Amboni Caves, Gallanos Hot Springs and Tongoni Ruins. Tanga Regions hosts several protected areas: Saadani and Mkomazi National Parks, Amani Nature Reserve, Coelacanth Marine Park and Maziwe Island Marine Reserve. The region also has lush mangrove forests, pristine semi-arid forests along the coast and on the islands. Tropical rainforests of the scenic Usambara Mountains reach up to 2,000 meters above sea level and are part of the international biodiversity hotspot “Eastern Arc Mountains” with their rich endemic flora and fauna. Particularly famous are the “African Violets” (called “Usambara Violets” in Germany). Other attractions include Maasai and Paré settlements in Handeni and Korogwe and the famous Tanga sisal estates.