LUXURIOUS BLUE WATERS
Coastal Tanzania
Tanzanian coast has long been an attraction of visiting Zanzibar and the spice islands. There is a charm to the Tanzania beaches on the mainland that has gained some recognition of its own. Interesting small lodges are located on the beach, often as harbours of love. These are in beautiful and quiet coastal spots where the locals are not used to many visitors. Yet they relish the chance to trade produce and stories with overseas guests.
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The Saadani National Park, the only national park on the Tanzania coast, is having increased number of guests. Bush planes are helping you to reach small resorts. Examples: Pangani and Bagamoyo on the Tanzania coast, these are now joining the far better known and up-market resorts south of Dar es Salaam, such as Ras Kutani in wooing the connoisseurs away from the islands.
South of Dar es Salaam contains several palm-lined Tanzania beaches. The nicest Tanzania beaches lie 30km away at Ras Kutani. Here there is a white swathe of sand and riding stables nearby. Plus mangroves to explore by kayak. And colobos monkeys and plenty of birds make their home in the the indigenous woodlands. There are two beach resorts. Each with a very different style and ambience. Ras Kutani is the one that works best with the safari camps of Selous and Ruaha.
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Swahili culture is a heady mix of Arab, Indian and African origin. About an hour north of Dar es Salaam is the World Heritage Site of Bagamoyo. Tanzania’s oldest town. In the 19th century, the fishing harbour became the final mainland stop for the ivory traders. Later the prosperous trading centre was the starting point of various European explorations. Such as those of Livingstone, Speke and Stanley. So there are numerous ruins, a museum and a mosque dating back to the 12th century to explore. The place to stay is a private island just offshore, Lazy Lagoon.