Attractions in Dar-es-salaam
Attractions in Dar es salaam
Tanzania’s largest city and commercial hub is Dar es Salaam, one of East Africa’s busiest ports. Although the place is known as “Dar,” it lacks the typical tourist attractions, but travelers still adore it for its seaside location, surprisingly laid-back atmosphere, and eclectic influences brought about by its fusion of African, Arabic, and Indian cultures.
The name, which translates to “haven of peace” in Arabic, was more appropriate for Dar’s previous existence as a sleepy fishing village than for this modern metropolis. Tanzania’s main port is located in Dar es Salaam Harbor, which is situated alongside some of the busiest sea routes in the world. The bustling fish market, Kivukoni Front, is located on the northern side of the harbor, where dhows arrive every morning at dawn to unload their catch from the previous night.
Dar es Salaam was laid out in a grid pattern with streets radiating outward from the port by German colonists. On the waterfront, the Lutheran Church and St. Joseph Cathedral are noteworthy buildings, and the city has a worthwhile museum. A blend of Swahili, German, Asian, and British influences can be seen in the city’s architecture.
If you’re curious about the beaches in Dar es Salaam, you can take day trips to the stunning Mbudya or Bongoyo Islands to escape the bustle of the city and unwind on their white-sand beaches. Read our list of the top tourist destinations and attractions in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for more suggestions on what to see and do.
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME.
It can be challenging to even conceive of a schedule that will meet your needs in this city because there are so many things to see and do. Do you enjoy history, or perhaps you’d prefer to take a food tour? Only when you are familiar with the locations in Dar es Salaam can you make the most of your trip. This has major significance. Each attraction or activity showcases a fresh and intriguing aspect of Tanzanian entertainment, cuisine, culture, and art. If not, but just in case, you need an epic collection of incredible sights in the city that you simply must see. Here are some incredible experiences and locations in Dar es Salaam that you shouldn’t miss.
National Museum and House of Culture
Tanzania’s colorful past is explored by the National Museum aand House of Culture. The museum, which was first established in 1940 as a tribute to King George V, is home to significant fossils of some of the earliest human ancestors discovered during the Leakey digs at Olduvai Gorge.
Additionally, you can discover more about the influences of colonialism and the slave trade, as well as Tanzania’s tribal history.
A small collection of vintage vehicles, including the Rolls Royce driven by the late president Julius Nyerere, and ethnographic exhibits on local crafts, traditions, ornaments, and musical instruments are some of the museum’s other standout features.
Village Museum
The Village Museum, which is 10 kilometers north of the city center, features traditional homes from some of Tanzania’s 120 ethnic groups. You can explore 15 acres of replicas of tribal homesteads while learning about customs and crafts from the past.
Since each hut has interpretive signs explaining its construction and materials, most visitors opt for a self-guided tour. But if you want more information, you can also hire a guide. Tribal dance performances and other cultural events are also held at the museum. Particularly young children enjoy exploring the various huts and antiques.
Things to do in Dar es salaam
Day Trip to Mbudya Island
Beautiful Mbudya Island, located in the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve, appears to be a world away from the hubbub of the city’s center. Sunbathers come here to soak up the rays on the white-sand beaches of the island and to snorkel and swim in the clear waters. On the beach, you can rent Bandas (thatched huts), and locals offer cold drinks and freshly grilled seafood. It is only a short motorboat ride from the White Sands Resort & Conference Center, making it one of the most popular city day trips.
Day Trip to Bongoyo Island
Bongoyo Island, which is located off the Msasani Peninsula, is a lovely day trip or half-day excursion from the city. Here, visitors enjoy taking it easy on the white-sand beach while shaded by thatched umbrellas and cooling off in the crystal-clear waters.
Additionally, snorkeling is common. Among the marine species you might see among the coral are starfish, angelfish, clownfish, and sea urchins. Nature trails lead to the island’s other shore from the area behind the beach, passing by baobab trees.
Cold beverages and freshly grilled seafood are offered at the outdoor snack bar. You can board a boat at the Slipway Pier to travel to Bongoyo, which is located about four miles north of the city. It takes about 30 minutes to travel.
Shopping in Dar es Salaam
While visiting the city, are you looking for mementos for your family and friends? In Dar es Salaam, there are many diverse places to shop. A great place to start is The Slipway Shopping Center, a palm-lined, Swahili-inspired shopping center on the waterfront. Everything from vibrant clothing to regional artwork, sculptures, masks, and handmade bags can be found here. One of the most popular items to purchase in Dar es Salaam is tanzanite, which is available in this shop. Only found in Tanzania, this stone with blue or violet undertones makes a special gift.
The Slipway is another stop on the Dar es Salaam nightlife tour; live music can be heard from some of the waterfront establishments here, and it’s a great place to watch the sun set after spending a lot of money on presents. This is another well-liked dining location in Dar es Salaam. There are many restaurants in this area, some of which have beautiful views of the water.
Visit Kariakoo Market for color and mayhem. This bustling indoor and outdoor market extends over several city blocks during the day and night. It’s fun to take in the atmosphere and take some vibrant pictures where the locals shop. Kaleidoscopic fabrics, precarious towers of baskets, fragrant spices, and fresh produce fill the stalls.
Would you like some tasty seafood? The fresh catch of the day is sold at the waterfront Kivukoni Fish Market. Additionally, Oyster Bay is home to stylish boutiques and art galleries if you’re looking for an upscale location to shop. This is where the vivid Tinga-Tinga painting style first appeared, and the Tinga-Tinga Arts Cooperative Society is where you can buy these vibrant works of art.
Kivukoni Fish Market
Kivukoni Fish Market is the place to go if you want to experience a bit of daily life in Dar es Salaam. One of the most popular things to do in Dar es Salaam is to visit this bustling harbor front, especially if you enjoy seafood.
Early in the morning, fishing boats dock to unload their catch, which is then auctioned off to nearby eateries and the general public. If you’re in the market for some fish, haggle hard. There are many options available, and while you’re here, you can have a seafood meal. The best time to visit the market is early in the morning.
St. Joseph Cathedral
This Gothic-style Roman Catholic Church, which was constructed by German missionaries between 1897 and 1902, seems out of place among the steel and glass skyscrapers that line the harbor front. On a hot day, however, it’s a cool and peaceful place to sit and think.
The Dar es Salaam archdiocese’s seat, St. Joseph Cathedral, is notable for a number of striking features that make a trip there worthwhile. Its vaulted interior, shingled spire, and stunning stained-glass windows are its most notable features. A carved relief above the main altar is one of many original German inscriptions and works of art that can be found in the cathedral. Try to attend a crowded Sunday morning service when the church is filled with worshippers and the soulful sounds of the neighborhood choir to fully experience the atmosphere.
Oyster Bay
One of the best places to hang out in Dar es Salaam is the wealthy expat neighborhood of Oyster Bay, especially on the weekends. Both locals and visitors visit this location to stroll along Coco Beach, indulge in street fare, and take in live music.
Would you like to shop while you are here? If yes, then head to the Oyster Bay Shopping Center. Farmers markets, specialty stores, and art galleries can be found here. In the galleries, look for the well-known Tinga-Tinga paintings; this colorful artistic movement is said to have started in Oyster Bay before spreading throughout East Africa. On the Msasani Peninsula, Oyster Bay is located about six kilometers to the north of the city.
Wellworth Kunduchi Wet ‘N’ Wild Water Park
The largest water park in East and Central Africa is the Wet ‘N’ Wild Water Park at Wellworth Kunduchi. It’s about 19 kilometers from the town center and right next to the Wellworth Kunduchi Beach Hotel and Resort.
The park, which is well-liked by families, is a vibrant combination of swimming pools, playgrounds, fast-food joints, and more than 29 water slides of various heights that are suitable for both adults and young children. Do you prefer your thrills on land? Here, too, speed demons can race around the only go-kart track in Tanzania.
Azania Front Lutheran Church
Azania Front Lutheran Church is a well-known landmark in Dar es Salaam, with its red-tiled bell tower rising above the surrounding rooftops. In 1898, German missionaries constructed it. Weary tourists will find solace in the gardens and shade from the tiled canopies over the windows. Azania was once the heart of the first German mission established in the 19th century; today, it serves as the diocese’s cathedral.
Askari Monument
If you’re taking a walking tour of Dar’s central business district, you might be curious about this striking statue that stands at one of the city’s busiest intersections. The Askari Monument is a bronze sculpture of an Askari (soldier) wearing a World War I uniform, his rifle’s bayonet aimed at the nearby harbor.
It honors the African soldiers who participated in World War I’s Carrier Corps. Look for the inscription in English and Swahili written by renowned British author and poet Rudyard Kipling if you can get close enough to take a photo. The statue stands about a block back from the Azania Front Lutheran Church.
Botanical Gardens
Want to get away from the city and into nature? The Botanical Gardens in Dar es Salaam offer some peace. The Botanical Gardens, which are now home to the Dar es Salaam Horticultural Society, were founded in 1893 by Professor Stuhlmann, the first Director of Agriculture. They served as test sites for a variety of plantation crops and tree species.
Today, a luxuriant variety of native and foreign plants, including purple bougainvillea, blue jacaranda, scarlet flame trees, and red hibiscus, are available for viewing. Even though the gardens are a small fraction of what they once were, they are still one of the few locations outside of their native Seychelles where you can see the stunning coco-de-mer palm tree.
State House
The State House, which was constructed in the late 1890s, served as the German Governor’s original home. After nearly destroying it during World War I, the British rebuilt the State House in 1922, adding scalloped upper-story arches and a crenellated parapet. The president currently resides in the State House but she will soon move to a new White House in Dodoma-The country capital city. The structure, though inaccessible to the general public, is a striking landmark on the harbor front.
Azam Marine and Coastal Fast Ferries
Although you’ve only just arrived in town, traveling by ferry from the mainland to the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba is a fantastic way to start your vacation. It’s one of the best ways to travel from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar Island. Additionally, it offers you the wonderful chance to see more of the city’s coastal area than is typically offered to tourists.
Although I’d love to urge you to take the Kilimanjaro IV ferry, you should watch out for overcharging for seat availability. If you buy a Royale ticket, you might end up in a VIP seat. Even though it doesn’t always happen, it’s always a good idea to inquire about seat availability before buying your ticket. If you frequently get seasick, you should take extra precautions because the sea can occasionally be rough due to high waves. If you arrive after the scheduled time, there will be no refund for unused tickets. The coastal fast ferry ride is ultimately something you shouldn’t miss while in Dar es Salaam.
Coco Beach
Despite being a public beach in the Oyster Bay region, this place is well worth a trip. Here, you can unwind by the ocean on the weekend. You should avoid going to the beach at night because it can sometimes be dirty and crowded. Particularly if you’re visiting alone, don’t leave your things unattended in this location. From Sea Cliff, you can take a walk along the cliffs to Golden Tulip; this is an undiscovered route with few travelers. The beach is home to a number of cafes and eateries where you can sample regional fare while admiring the ocean views. Additionally, there are lovely souvenir shops nearby.
CONCLUSION
Looking for additional locations to visit close to Dar es Salaam while exploring East Africa? Check out on other Tanzania’s top tourist attractions, including the Serengeti National Park’s well-known wildebeest migration, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, The Mount Kilimanjaro, and the stunning beaches of Zanzibar. And while you’re in East Africa, make sure to see Uganda’s, Rwanda’s and Kenya’s top attractions. Fly into Nairobi-Kenya, Kampala-Uganda and Kigali-Rwanda, and then go on either a Bwindi Mountain Gorilla trekking, Volcanoes mountain gorilla trekking or Maasai mara game drive.
