Is Dar Es Salaam Worth Visiting
Shawnna Franz
The city is hectic, and you could spend up to three hours in rush hour at night, but it is also a cultural hub. Those that enter the urban jungle will get a fascinating insight into local life and culture.
Under British rule after the First World War, German East Africa became Tanganyika, but Dar es Salaam remained the capital due to its convenient coastal location. The British also amplified the segregation within the city, creating European, African, and later Asian quarters.
Dar es Salaam became a hotspot for nationalist forces from other African countries, including FRELIMO soldiers from Mozambique, SWAPO guerrillas from Namibia, and ANC combatants from South Africa. The soldiers received training and education for the liberation of their countries.
The bus journey from the airport to the city centre takes around 30 minutes. You can take any bus in the direction of Kisutu. Tickets should cost TSH 200-TSH 400. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or Uber to the city centre, but this will be more expensive. A taxi to the city centre costs around TSh 400.000.
After dark, caution should be taken with taxis. Dar es Salaam covers a huge spread of land and taxis can become much more expensive if you are staying in the outskirts of the city. If you book with us, we will take care of your transport.
Taxis, buses, dala-dalas, and bajajis are all options to navigate the big city. Travellers should be aware of the congestion and the hefty rush hour Dar es Salaam experiences daily. We are happy to arrange any further transport for you.
Taxi fares are negotiated before alighting. In the evening, taxis are a bit harder to find. If you use a taxi driver and enjoy their service, you may want to ask for their number and call them directly for future trips.
Dala dalas only leave when their capacity is reached, but they are very cheap (less than TSH 1000 for most routes). During rush hour, getting onto a dala dala can be a battle, with people climbing through windows. Travellers should avoid rush hour and wait for the next dala dala if the capacity has been reached.
Bajajis are more prone to accidents due to their unstable nature and their drivers are often reckless. In traffic stops, they are much easier to rob, but this happens rarely at daytime.
Long walks are a refreshing way to take in the architecture and local culture but not all streets have pavements, so watch out for cars. Some locals will approach you to promote their shops, but you will not be harassed.
St. Joseph Cathedral: Home to the Archbishop of Dar es Salaam, this cathedral was built at the end of the 19th century by German missionaries. The gothic architecture, stained glass windows, and German inscriptions continue to enthral visitors.
Tinga Tinga Arts Cooperative Society: Tinga Tinga is the local style of art, and it depicts nature. It originated in Dar es Salaam and has since spread to other East African countries as a prime touristic art style. The Tinga Tinga Arts Cooperative Society is a group that continues this style, and they allow travellers to visit their workroom, order commissions and, buy artworks. The Society is conveniently located on the Msasani Peninsula where most travellers stay for great access to Coco Beach.
Boats can be taken from any major hotels on the beach. Travellers will need to pay a slightly inflated fee for entering the island (TSH 22,500 at the time of writing). Cabanas can be rented on the island and there are several food stalls.
Bongoyo Island is slightly larger than Mbudya Island and it is located about 30 mins away from the harbour by ferry. Ferries can be taken from the Slipway Shopping Centre on the Msasani Peninsula.
You can try a range of delicious dishes, from traditional Tanzanian and Indian snacks from street vendors to high-end Asian restaurants to barbecued fish at the beach. At Kivukoni Fish Market, you can watch as the local fishermen bring in their catch. Fishing is the primary source of income for many of the locals.
Msasani has some higher end restaurants that serve European cuisine, as well as beach bars, and seafood restaurants. There are several great restaurants next to the Slipway Shopping Centre which all offer stunning views of the beach.
Venture to Zanzibar for its pristine beaches, a spice tour, and excellent waters for snorkelling. Zanzibar offers several outdoor activities and water sports, including cycling, kitesurfing, diving, or even island hopping.
Mwenge Woodcarvers Market: This market is a great place to buy local souvenirs and watch local artists as they showcase their crafts.\r\n Artists are always happy to show off their talent and discuss their \r\nartwork with travellers. Make sure that you don\u2019t fall for the first \r\nshop you see, venture into the depths of the market and haggle.National Museum and House of Culture: This museum is great for learning more about the local and national history\r\n and seeing some artefacts. Visitors will be able to view some of \r\nTanzania's earliest fossils as well as reports on the colonial and \r\nslavery period. You can also view President Nyerere\u2019s Rolls Royce. \r\nDespite a lot of work in the past few years, the museum can seem a bit \r\nincoherent at times. Tickets cost around TSH 6500, while students only pay TSH 2600. St. Joseph Cathedral: Home to the Archbishop of Dar es Salaam, this cathedral was built at the end of the 19th century by German missionaries. The gothic architecture, stained glass windows, and German inscriptions continue to enthral visitors.Askari Monument: This monument was unveiled in 1927 to honour the askari (soldiers) who fought in for the British in WW1. It is located in Kisutu, the City Centre.Village Museum: This museum is an interactive, open-air exhibition where you can enter various Tanzanian huts to see how rural people live in the countryside. There are also dances and music performances,\r\n which come at an extra price. Prices are TSH 6500 for adults, TSH 2600 \r\nfor students and an additional TSH 2000 for performances. Tinga Tinga Arts Cooperative Society: Tinga Tinga is the local style of art, and it depicts nature.\r\n It originated in Dar es Salaam and has since spread to other East \r\nAfrican countries as a prime touristic art style. The Tinga Tinga Arts \r\nCooperative Society is a group that continues this style, and they allow\r\n travellers to visit their workroom, order commissions and, buy \r\nartworks. The Society is conveniently located on the Msasani Peninsula where most travellers stay for great access to Coco Beach. Cultural Tours with Afriroots: Afriroots provides walking, cycling and night tours to educate travellers about the city\u2019s roots, social issues, and culture. Prices vary from US$40-50. Bookings can be organised at www.afriroots.co.tz\/."}},"@type":"question","name":"Beach getaways","acceptedAnswer":"@type":"Answer","text":"Coco Beach in Oyster Bay is Dar es Salaam\u2019s most famous beach.\r\n The white sand beach attracts locals and travellers alike. Due to its \r\npopularity, the beach can get quite crowded, but there are many bars and restaurants to enjoy a drink or a bite to eat in the evening. At night, there is often live music. Avoid taking valuables. Mbezi Beach and Kigamboni Beach are quieter alternatives. There\r\n are also two islands just off the coast of Dar, offering serene white \r\nbeach stretches, swaying cocoa palms and an island feel. Just 20 minutes\r\n away by boat, Mbudya Island is perfect for snorkelling, swimming, and tanning. Boats\r\n can be taken from any major hotels on the beach. Travellers will need \r\nto pay a slightly inflated fee for entering the island (TSH 22,500 at \r\nthe time of writing). Cabanas can be rented on the island and there are several food stalls.Bongoyo Island is slightly larger than Mbudya Island and it is located about 30 mins away from the harbour by ferry. Ferries can be taken from the Slipway Shopping Centre on the Msasani Peninsula. Ferries depart every 2 hours from 09:30-17:00 and the journey costs TSH 35.000 per person (at the time of writing).The beautiful coastline can also be enjoyed from a traditional dhow,\r\n a popular boat in the Arabic part of the Indian Ocean. There are day \r\ntrips that combine coast views with snorkelling and lunch on one of the \r\nmany deserted islands off the city\u2019s coastline. You can also take a sunset boat trip or go fishing. At the time of writing, boat cruises cost around US$35 per person and kayaking costs US15$ per person.","@type":"question","name":"Indulge in the local food","acceptedAnswer":"@type":"Answer","text":"Dar es Salaam\u2019s eclectic food scene is a fusion of African, Asian, Arabic, and European influences. You can try a range of delicious dishes,\r\n from traditional Tanzanian and Indian snacks from street vendors to \r\nhigh-end Asian restaurants to barbecued fish at the beach. At Kivukoni \r\nFish Market, you can watch as the local fishermen bring in their catch. \r\nFishing is the primary source of income for many of the locals. Msasani has some higher end restaurants\r\n that serve European cuisine, as well as beach bars, and seafood \r\nrestaurants. There are several great restaurants next to the Slipway \r\nShopping Centre which all offer stunning views of the beach. We recommend Thai Kani,\r\n which fuses Tanzanian and Thai cuisine. The Yacht Club is also a great \r\nchoice. Many restaurants also turn into clubs and bars at nights.","@type":"question","name":"Dance the night away in Msasani's bars and clubs","acceptedAnswer":"@type":"Answer","text":"Tanzanians know how to party. Tanzanian nightlife is shaped by some of the best music on the continent and cheap drinks, and nights out in Dar es Salaam are unforgettable.Tanzanian bars and clubs are generally safe, but you should take precautions.Some restaurants have live music performances, including the Maisha Club on Coco Beach, or Q Bar which is just 10 minutes from the beach. Level 8, the bar of the Hyatt Regency, is a more upmarket option, and it offers sweeping views across the city and refreshing drinks.","@type":"question","name":"Dar es Salaam as a stepping stone","acceptedAnswer":"@type":"Answer","text":"Dar es Salaam is a great starting point for a weekend trip to Zanzibar or Mikumi National Park. Trips to both locations can be arranged through a tour operator or your hotel. Venture to Zanzibar for its pristine beaches,\r\n a spice tour, and excellent waters for snorkelling. Zanzibar offers \r\nseveral outdoor activities and water sports, including cycling, \r\nkitesurfing, diving, or even island hopping.Mikumi National Park \r\nis 4 hours away from the big city, making it perfect for a weekend trip.\r\n The park\u2019s sweeping plains contain a plethora of wildlife that will excite animal enthusiasts and bird watchers alike."]} Where to stay in Dar es Salaam? Whether the city is just a stepping-stone for other adventures or a highlight of your itinerary, you will need to find comfortable accommodation.
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