Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Nyumba ya Saana, Kaole Ruins, Mwenge Art Market, Kariakoo and more

© Karen Lotter

Kigamboni Beach, Tanzania, Maeve81 at VirtualTourist

Dar es Salaam, known as Dar, is a vibrant center of tourism and industry in East Africa, where visitors can enjoy the markets, beaches, arts and crafts and cuisine.

To most travelers, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania is just a convenient port of call on the way to other exotic destinations like Zanzibar or the East African game parks like Serengeti; maybe to climb Kilimanjaro or hike the crater of Ngorongoro. But Dar es Salaam, which means "House of Peace" in Arabic, is a hustling, bustling seaport on the Indian Ocean that straddles some of the most important sea routes on earth.

While Dodoma is the actual capital of Tanzania, Dar, as this vibrant African city is affectionately known, is the real capital. The city itself is an eclectic mix of Swahili, German, Asian and British architecture, reflecting its both olonial past and more recent history.

Situated close to the equator and the warm Indian Ocean, Dar es Salaam is Tanzania's most important city for both business and government. And it also boasts some of the finest schools in Tanzania as well as the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange, one of the smallest in the world.

Due to the increasing importance of tourism to East Africa, the number of international restaurants in Dar has risen very rapidly over recent years. This African city now offers a surprisingly rich and internationalized diversity of cuisine as well as modern five star accommodation like the Mövenpick Royal Palm Hotel Dar es Salaam and the Kunduchi Beach Hotel and Resort.

What to do and where to visit in Dar es Salaam:

Remember, like all seaports, Dar es Salaam is not always safe. Tourists are strongly advised not to wander around the city at night, particularly around the port and on the beaches north of the city around Kunduchi. And never exchange money on the streets

Best Beaches in Dar

There are beaches on the Kigamboni Peninsula east of Dar es Salaam and on Kigamboni Island to the north where residents and tourists alike frequently visit. The best beach close to the capital is Oyster Bay where Coco Beach is a sought after spot. Other beaches, with better security, can be found further north along the coast.

Islands off the East African near Dar es Salaam

Trips to the nearby islands of the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve are a popular day trip from the city and a favorite spot for snorkeling, swimming and sunbathing.

Feel like a trip to Zanzibar? The ferry picks you up at the Harbor, located by Forodhani Primary school, and drops you off, in Zanzibar. (A four hour trip).

More African Articles you will enjoy:

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The copyright of the article Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in Tanzania Travel is owned by Karen Lotter. Permission to republish Dar es Salaam, Tanzania must be granted by the author in writing.


Kaole Ruins, Bagamoyo, Tanzania., baldman76@flickr.com
Kigamboni Beach, Tanzania, Maeve81 at VirtualTourist
Royal Palm Hotel, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania., www.moevenpick-hotels.com/hotels/Dar_Es_Salaam/
Kunduci Beach Hotel and Resort, Dar, Tanzania, www.kunduchiresort.com
Fish market in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, kLiNs' @ flickr


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