Dar es Salaam means haven of peace. The name was bestowed on the cityduring the time of sultan Seyyid Majid, who chose the sleeping fishing village of zaramo to have his summer palace, Bandur ul Salaam, the palace of peace. The village thrived and grew under the sultan’s presence, becoming a centre of trade for ivory and slaves transforming over time into the bustling city of Dar es Salaam.
The city is a hotchpotch of cultural influences, Arab, Indian, German and British influences to be found in the city’s architecture. Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus, and Christians co-exist peacefully, with the wail of the azan blending into the sound of church bells in the mornings. Down at Kariakoo, Chinese electronics jostle with chickens in the market, cheerful Tingatinga paintings are stacked next to folded piles of khangas and kitenges, traditional medicines sit along side neat pyramids of fruits and vegetables as shop keepers hawk their wares.
Visitors to Dar es Salaam are well catered for, with a choice of accommodation for all budgets, from backpacker hostels to five star hotels for a business traveler, there is a number of hotels world class conference facilities. There is a mind boggling range of restaurants offering Thai, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Ethiopian cuisine and more as well as local restaurants serving chipsi, ugali and nyama choma, freshly grilled meat.
Dar has an electric live music scene. Traditional taraab orchestras rub shoulders with dance bands playing jazz, salsa and afro funk. Rap, hip hop and bongo flava artists collaborate and perform around Dar. Tanzania’s best and most intentive musicians are show cased in may at the B-connected festival in Mnazi Moja grounds. For film lovers, November sees Dar host the annual Euro African film festival.
The city is home to internationally renowned East African Art Biennale, which exhibits work by contemporary artists, sculptors, photographers and cartoonists from all over Africa and beyond. The Nyumba ya Sanaa ( Nyerere cultural centre) exhibits art and hand crafts through out the year and gives visitors the chance to take part in workshops in painting, batik and etching. The National museum and Botanical gardens are also another diverting way to spend a day, tracing the history of Tanzania, prehistoric fossils through to the relics of colonialism.
Beyond the museums, music and art found in the city centre, Dar has its own selection of spectacular beaches at Kunduchi, Mikadi, Mjimwema and Jangwani. At Jangwani, there is snorkeling and diving on offer, with the chance to see Tuna, king fish and even white tipped reef sharks. Kunduchi is home to Kunduchi Wet ‘n’ Wild, East African’s largest waterpark, with go carting, quad biking, water skiing and slides, ideal for a day out with the family.
Scratch beyond the surface in Dar es Salaam and you’ll find it’s a city rich in diversity and filled with character.
Getting Around
A perfect way to explore Dar es Salaam is get around on foot. Much of the inner city can be walked without trouble, however, in parts walking include crowds, uneven streets, heavy traffic, and skinny sidewalks. If that’s a problem, there are plenty of taxi’s to ride in and scooters to rent.
How to Travel
- Bus & Train – Operated by an independent organization, buses and trains include wifi access for the public. There is a commuter bus service that operates around the city and it is one of the cheapest ways to get around the city.
- Taxi – Available in all parts of the city. From a restaurant or hotel you can have them call the city taxi service.
- Car – Rental cars are easy to get and hotels have good parking prices. Once in the main city, you can often walk so we suggest returning the when you arrive.
- Bike – The best way to get around, other than walking, is by bike. If you don’t mind hills, you can bike anywhere. If that’s not for you, stick to the inner city with your bike.
Mini Trips
Just a few miles away you can explore the history and legacy, drink wine and relax. You can wander the hills or be lulled by the fountains. If you have time, the attractions can fill 3 days. We’ve highlighted the best ones here.
Tours
Because of the number of sights to see, some first-time visitors should start with an organized tour. Some things can be covered in depth, other are just useful for getting your bearings.
The leading tour operators use local historians to lead their tours. Guides offer walking tours, including visits to monuments, museums, and historic locations, as well as eating tours. Tour prices can be high, but most participants consider them a trip highlight. In addition, there are many family related tours, sights and more appealing activites to children.
Walking tours, like the 3 hour ghost tour, is an exclusive in the early evening. A bus excursion ruins special tours like you’ve never seen. Also worth consideration, a group of art historians and architects do a theatrical retelling from dramatic scripts. Go on a tour, expect guides to break out into a rendition of “Singing in the Rain”, it’s a lot of fun.
