Dar Es Salaam

Tanzania's largest and the most populated city and also the most important seaport. Dar es Salaam is a very cosmopolitan city. Though relatively less visited by tourists, it has got good beach spots and many historical buildings- making it a prospective stop over. Many tourists visit Dar es Salaam when they shift between the northern and southern parks or when they shift from the western to southern parks. Inspite of German, Arabic, Asian and British influences on its architecture, Dar es Salaam is fundamentally very Swahili. People are quite friendly and helpful. Dar es Salaam, being the business capital of Tanzania, is well connected to the rest of the world. The Dar es Salaam international airport receives many international flights from different parts of the world. A number of tourists fly first into Dar es Salaam and then transfer to other areas of the country. Domestic airlines, buses and trains network run from Dar es Salaam to all the corners of the country and is the gateway to the spice island of Zanzibar.

Places to Visit

Dar es Salaam is an interesting city, not for conventional sightseeing though. There are a number of places you can visit if you have few days at your disposal. Many historical buildings, the Kariakoo market, the national museum, nyumba ya sanaa (house of art), village museum and the Mwenge market can be covered in one full day sightseeing. Other interesting places close by include Bongoyo island and Pugu Hills forest reserve.

Dar es Salaam has got beautiful beaches to the north and many high standard beach resorts have opened up recently. Beaches in the north include Kunduchi and Mbezi- and further north is the magnificent historical town of Bagamoyo- only about 45 mnts drive from the city. The southern beaches are also very beautiful but quite different in terms of tourist infrastructure. Most of the lodges here are small and simple compared to the vast and luxurious ones of the north. Many hotels in both the beaches offer water sports, snorkeling and diving excursions.

Itineraries in Dar-es-Salaam