An old fashioned beach escape.
Pangani- an hour’s flight from Dar es Salaam, and years away from the 21st Century.
Simple, pretty, and comfortable. There are seven pretty beachfront cottages, with ensuite bathrooms and fans overhead, and two double family cottages, each of which has a private sitting and dining area. 2011 brought the new garden suites, tucked further back from the beach, with an upstairs bedroom looking out through the palm trees to the ocean, and a private downstairs sitting room.
The Tides is justifiably proud of the quality of its food. With a strong European influence, it’s not particularly typical of the area, but we’d be surprised if you went away disappointed. Beyond the restaurant, there’s a small, pretty pool, a tiny shop, and a masseuse. There’s also wireless internet, but take a tip from us- this is a place to turn your Blackberry off and escape the office - the signal in Tanzania’s very temperamental after all...
The pace of life at The Tides is a gentle one. There’s a little snorkelling in the offshore marine park, a few kayaks to take out and potter in the surf, as well as boat trips up the nearby river. A wander around Pangani is also highly recommended. Really though, the low key charm of The Tides lies in taking a step back from the frenetic modern world. A busy day might involve a spot of snorkeling followed by a long snooze on the beach, or getting up early to see the sunrise, and spending the rest of the day under a palm tree with a book.
It’s possible to fly directly into the Tides airstrip, but for those who are interested in seeing rural Tanzanian life, we’d recommend coming the long way around, and taking the scheduled flight to Tanga, an hour’s drive away through the sisal plantations.