TANZANIA COAST
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Page last modified April 8, 2009

Accommodation    Things to do    Getting There    Sample Itinerary

Ushongo Beach is one of Tanzania's little-known secrets. It is 60 kms south of Tanga and 15 kms from the old Arab town of Pangani. It is a little remote - and consequently harder to get to, and is relatively untouched by touristic development; there are five small lodges. There are no sea or beach urchins - just  lovely clear, white, sandy, coconut-tree fringed beach with nearby coral reefs. Sadani National Park is 50 kms away. Ushongo is an excellent alternative to Zanzibar or the Kenyan coast. See Ushongo Beach web site.

Tariffs.There are four small lodges of 4 to 10 rooms plus beach cottages. Internet is available. Scuba diving, PADI courses, and snorkeling can be arranged on request. 

Ushongo Beach looking North

Ushongo Beach Cottages.Self-contained with kitchenette, fridge and large verandah. Drinks priced at shop prices.
One Bedroom Cottage $95 per room per day full board for two persons.
Two-bedroom Cottage $120 per room per day. Meals $12 per person per day.
Extra bed $10.

Tides Lodge $150 half board. Comfortable. Nine rooms. Bar and restaurant.
Emayani Lodge $85 half board. Simple but comfortable. Six cottages. Bar and restaurant.
Tulia Resort $55 half board. 10 rooms. Bar and restaurant.
Crab Hotel. Four rooms and a camp site. $65 per room. Bar and restaurant.

Sailing at Ushongo      

Sailing at Ushongo There is a Westerly 22 (7-metre) day sailer available for hire. Under sail, it is an excellent way of going out to the islands either on a half day or full day cruise. It has a 15 h.p. outboard engine and will take four to six persons. The cabin has four bunks. The boat can be hired bare boat or with crew. A certificate of competency is required for renting bare boat. For those who would like to learn to sail there are persons available who will show you the basics. It is also available for hire for anyone who wants to sail to Zanzibar (4-5 hours) and cruise the local islands, a good itinerary being -

Day 1. Sail to Nungwe at the nothern tip of Zanzibar. Overnight at lodge or guest house.
Day 2. Continue to Stone Town (4-5 hours). Overnight at lodge or guest house.
Day 3. Cross over to Saadani. Overnight at the beach camp site in Saadani National Park.
Day 4. Return to Ushongo Beach.

Rates. Per day: $160. Per Week: $1020.

Ushongo Beach Attractions:   
- swimming in Indian Ocean; snorkeling at nearby reefs; scuba diving; wind-surfing; 
- fishing for tuna, bonito, mackerel, red snapper, wahoo; deep sea fishing for black marlin and sailfish (catch-and-release); 
- dhow (jahazi) sailing in bay; 
- beach walks; canoeing; cycling.

Attractions further afield:

- visit to small fishing village of Ushongo. One hour. 
- tour of sisal estate. Three hours.
- boat trip to Zanzibar. Three hours each way (or stay overnight Zanzibar). 
- Tanga Port and town. Full day. Picturesque harbour. A sleepy little port. 
- Amboni Caves. Full day. Extensive limestone caves a few miles north of Tanga. Guided tour. Combine with visit to Tanga. 
- Usambaras and Amani. Full day (two to three advised). Must-visit place for birders, botanists and biologists. Accommodation limited.
- game drive in Sadani National Park. Full day.
- Pangani Town. Half day. Guided cultural tour. It's a small sleepy town at the mouth of the Pangani River. Pangani's past goes back to before the 15th century with successive conquests and occupations by Arabs, Omanis, Portuguese, Germans, and British. It's a bit run down but has some old buildings that include the old German Fort and some old Omani houses with traditionally carved doors. 
- tour of coconut plantation. Combine with half day tour to Pangani and Pangani River.
- boat trip up the Pangani River. Two hours.  

Getting to Ushongo. 

The quickest way is by air. Going by bus from Arusha or Dar es Salaam to Segera is a good alternative and then have a vehicle from Ushongo collect you at the Segera Motel. The charge for a vehicle from Segera to Ushongo is $130.

Air:
There is a daily flight from Arusha to Ushongo going via Zanzibar.

Arusha to Ushongo $260 one way; $360 return.
Zanzibar to Ushongo direct. 15 minutes. $260 per flight in two-passenger light aircraft. 
Zanzibar to Ushongo on daily service. $100 to $260.
Ushongo to Dar es Salaam. 40 minutes. Rates on request.

Sea:
Ushongo to Zanzibar $100 per person. Three hours by motorized local dhow (Mashau). Minimum two persons.

Road:
Tanga 70 kms. - 90 minutes. $70 vehicle charge each way. 
Arusha 440 kms - 6 to 7 hours. $370. Standing charge $35 per day if more than three days.
Dar es Salaam 350 kms - 5 to 6 hours. $360.

Bus:Arusha/Dar es Salaam to Tanga $25.

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