3 minute read
IT TAKES TWO TO TANGA
If you are looking for the ideal getaway to spend some quality time with your significant other, then consider Tanga. This off-the-beaten-track destination in northeast Tanzania offers footstep-free white sand beaches, soaring mountains, pristine marine parks and towns steeped in Swahili traditions. Here are some suggestions for the perfect romantic escape.
Wild beach getaways
Beach breaks don’t come much more romantic than in the Tanga region. The coastline from Tanga City to Pangani further south is full of unspoiled white stretches of sandy beach that shelve gently into turquoise waters for perfect swimming conditions. There are rustic resorts at Peponi, Sange and Ushonge beaches offering beachside banda accommodation shaded among the palm trees. These resorts are among Tanzania’s best-kept secrets so you may find yourself in your own private paradise. As the day ends there are opportunities to ratchet up the romance even further with a sunset trip on a traditional Swahili dhow or ngalawa sailing boat.
Island adventures
The Tanga region’s coastline is dotted with sand islands with some of the country’s most pristine coral reefs built around them. Most hotels around Pangani will be only too happy to organise a boat trip – with picnic lunch included – for you and your partner out to Maziwe Marine Reserve Park, a tiny sand island that only shows itself at low tide. It’s a beautiful spot for sunbathing and snorkelling with a surrounding reef teeming with over 350 fish species and the island itself offering fantastic bird-watching opportunities.
Sunset over Tanga Bay
Magoroto Lake
There are plenty of opportunities for romantic forest walks and lakeside lazing at this lush forest estate around 40 km distance from Tanga. Opened at the end of the 19th century, it was one of the first German-owned plantations in East Africa and has over time grown rubber, palm oil, coffee and tea, but now it simply showcases its beautiful 1,500-acres of rain forest and rare plants in the East Usambara Mountains. There is a campsite here and campers can explore a host of hiking trails through the forest and then cool off from their exertions with a swim in the beautiful freshwater lake.
Hot springs
It is definitely at the wild and woolly end of a romantic spa break, but a trip to the Galanos Sulphur Hot Springs is ideal for any adventurous couple. Locals have been bathing in these natural springs – located about eight km outside Tanga city – for many years and believe the water has healing properties that can cure ailments such as arthritis and skin conditions. It may be a great bonding session for you and your partner, but it is unlikely you’ll want to get too close to each other until you’ve both had a shower with plenty of scented soap as the spring’s sulphur content makes a far from ideal date night perfume.
Pizzeria d’Amore
When putting together a feature on romantic spots in Tanga, we couldn’t ignore a restaurant with a name like Pizzeria d’Amore. This popular restaurant and bar enjoys a breezy coastal location with views across Tanga Bay. The menu is made up of Italian-style pasta and pizza along with chicken, beef and seafood dishes cooked on the grill. Set in lush, palm tree-filled garden and with an attractive upstairs dining terrace, this is a charming place for an intimate meal-for-two.
Beautiful beach house
How’s this for a romantic escape? A beautiful cottage snuggled amid towering baobabs and with its own manicured lawn that rolls down to the beach. This paradise is all yours if you rent Tanga Beach House. The air-conditioned property has classic four-poster Swahili beds, a living room and a fully equipped kitchen. It is located just four km south of the city and there are options to hire bikes or a car to get around, but you will likely feel little inclination to leave. Its pretty shaded verandah full of sofas to sink in and with views out across the ocean to Yambe Island is the perfect spot for some loved-up lounging. For more information, search Tanga Beach House on booking.com
