Explore Dar es Salaam
Explore Dar es Salaam , Tanzania : Are you uncertain about what to do in your Tanzania safari tours to Dar es Salaam? After a brief historical overview, we shall respond. Originally a sleepy fishing village, Dar es Salaam (Arabic for “haven of peace”) has expanded to become Tanzania’s largest capital and one of the busiest ports in East Africa. Tanzania’s capital, Dar es Salaam, held the title until 1974, when Dodoma surpassed it. With the majority of the nation’s important administrative offices, it still has greater sway. With over 6 million inhabitants, the city serves as a major industrial and commercial centre. The city’s history and waterfront location on the Indian Ocean are its primary attractions. The city’s architecture is heavily influenced by British, Asian, and German design. It has traffic jams and congestion, just like the majority of major capitals in underdeveloped nations. The motorbike or Tuk-tuk may be your only hope during the hectic nights in the city centre. Many visitors just use Dar es Salaam as a jumping off point to the big national parks in the interior or to the islands of Pemba and Zanzibar, ignoring it as a significant tourist destination. Unspoiled beaches, monuments, artisan hubs, retail malls, dining establishments, nightclubs, museums, and botanical gardens are just a few of Dar es Salaam’s Tanzania safari attractions. You can also participate in a variety of activities, which we will talk about shortly.
You may also want to read about the best things to do in Arusha, Kampala, and Mombasa, as well as tourism sites in those cities. We’ve even written an essay about what to do in Zanzibar. If you’re looking for a comprehensive safari experience, be sure to check out our incredible 3-day Serengeti Safari or our 6-day gorilla trekking and Ngorongoro Crater Safari.
Things to do in Dar es Salaam
Nightclubs and bars: You can go out to a party on the weekends or after a long workday at one of the many upscale pubs and nightclubs in the city centre and the suburbs. For the greatest wines and music, check out High Spirit or Havoc Nightspot. Look no further than Slow Leopard to watch the newest football matches on enormous displays. While you wait for the game to start, you can enjoy a selection of imported beers from them. The Jollies Club or O’Donovan’s Reggae Bar are two excellent options if you’re searching for the best music bar. In Dar es Salaam, walking at night is quite dangerous. Make sure you travel in a car or with a reliable companion.
Go shopping: One of Dar es Salaam’s greatest shopping experiences can be found at The Slipway, which is situated along Yacht Club Road. This enclave is home to a number of stores and boutiques that offer designer clothes from both domestic and foreign manufacturers. The building also houses a hotel, a bookstore and a sizable grocery. For expatriates and those searching for uncommon components that are hard to get by in the city, The Slipway is a favourite hangout. You may enjoy international food and stunning views of Msasani Bay at The Waterfront, an outdoor restaurant and bar, after shopping. There are a number of boats and departure locations around The Slipway if you’re interested in going fishing or exploring the islands outside of the city.
Take a Ride on a Tuk-Tuk
Just like in Mombasa, Kenya, visiting Dar es Salaam wouldn’t be complete without riding one of these unique bikes. They bear resemblance to those utilised in numerous Asian nations. When it comes to navigating through congested streets and getting to places where cars would have trouble, Tuk-tuk are ideal. They are readily available and reasonably priced. Depending on where you are going, be ready to haggle for a decent deal. For amusement or as part of a city tour, you can also rent it.
Kariakoo Market
One must visit the major marketplaces in a new location in order to gain an understanding of the customs and way of life of the locals. One of Dar es Salaam’s most fascinating markets is Kariakoo Market. The market is distinguished by rows of little stores, roadside sellers, and hawkers. It is the place to go if you want to obtain the best Tanzania safari deals, have a taste of daily life in Dar es Salaam, or buy household items (fish, fruits, meat, vegetables, hardware, and apparel). In Kariakoo, haggling is essential to obtaining the best prices. Don’t take your valuables with you because pickpocketing has occurred on multiple occasions. Additionally, keep in mind to dress appropriately to deflect unwanted attention, like whistles and glances.
Kivukoni Fish Market
Fresh fish from the ocean is purchased at the Kivukoni Fish Market. It is situated in the Kivukoni suburb. When the fishermen in Dar es Salaam have just returned after a night of fishing to auction their catches, early in the morning (7:00am) is the ideal time to visit. Additionally, this is the best time to catch the majority of the action as fishermen haggle with stores and customers and acquire the freshest fish. Squid, snappers, and crabs are the three primary species. The amazing assortment of fish species from the Indian Ocean is one of the best things about visiting this fish market. Climbing one of the flight staircases that leads to the market’s headquarters will give you a bird’s-eye view of the area.
Encourage support for the hawksbill turtle breeding programme. Although there are just a few surviving hawksbill turtles, many organisations, including Sea Sense, are working to safeguard and save them. They have taken the initiative to plan trips that will safeguard reptiles from their nesting grounds. They make sure the eggs of the turtles hatch properly and that the majority of the young return to the ocean. After some time on a boat, tourists are guided by a guide to the hatching ground at Masaki. The conservation programme for Hawksbills receives the majority of the revenue.
See the structures of colonial architecture
Dar es Salaam was a significant city ruled by the Sultan of Zanzibar in the 1800s. It became Tanzania’s principal administrative and commercial hub after the Germans and then the British took possession. Arabs, British, and Germans all contributed architectural elements, monuments, and structures to the city, including the magnificent St. Joseph’s Cathedral, the Azania Front Lutheran Church, a number of mosques, and other structures. The British restored the State House in 1922 using a fusion of European, Arabian, and African architectural styles. Eventually, we will talk about a few of these architectural marvels as stand-alone attractions.
Askari Monument
During World War I, Tanzania was one of the African nations that provided the British with soldiers. The Tanzanian combatants served in the Carrier Corps. The Askari memorial honours these valiant combatants. The bronze statue shows a soldier pointing towards the harbour while wearing an army uniform from World War 1. The renowned British poet and author Rudyard Kiling has left an inscription honouring the valiant soldiers. The Askari Monument is situated in the centre of the roundabout that divides Samora Avenue from Maktaba Street.
