One of East Africa's busiest ports, Dar es Salaam is Tanzania's largest
city and commercial center, though no longer its capital. The name means
"haven of peace" in Arabic, and was more fitting for Dar's former
status as a sleepy fishing village than the now bustling city of more
than three million people. Nevertheless Dar es Salaam is loved among
travelers for its seaside setting and eclectic vibe thanks to its mix of
African, Arabic, and Indian cultures. The city's architecture is a mix of Swahili, German, Asian, and British influences.
Here are the top-rated tourist attractions in Dar es Salaam;
1. National Museum & House of Culture
Originally opened in 1940 as a memorial to King George V, the
National Museum & House of Culture takes visitors on a journey
through Tanzania's colorful past. The museum displays important fossils
of some of the earliest human ancestors unearthed during the Leakey digs
at Olduvai Gorge. Visitors can learn about Tanzania's tribal heritage
and the impact of the slave trade and colonial periods. Other highlights
of the museum include ethnographic displays on traditional crafts,
customs, ornaments, and musical instruments.
Official site:
www.houseofculture.or.tz
2. Village Museum
About six miles north of the city center, the Village Museum
showcases traditional dwellings from some of Tanzania's 120 ethnic
groups. Visitors can wander through replicas of tribal homesteads
scattered across 15 acres, and watch local artisans demonstrate their
traditional painting, weaving, and carving skills. The museum also hosts
Ngoma, tribal dances, and other cultural activities.
Address: Bagamoyo Road, Kijitonyama
3. Askari Monument
Cast in bronze, the Askari Monument depicts an Askari (soldier) in a World War I uniform, the bayonet of his rifle pointing towards the nearby harbor. The monument commemorates the African troops who fought as the Carrier Corps in World War I. Look for the inscription in English and Swahili written by Rudyard Kipling, the famous British writer and poet.
Address:
Azikwe Street and Samora Avenue
4. Old Boma
Constructed in 1866-1867 by Majid Bin Said, sultan of Zanzibar, Old
Boma is Dar es Salaam's oldest surviving building. It was built to
accommodate the guests of the Sultan who had a palace next door.
Distinguishing interior features include a carved wooden door from
Zanzibar and coral walls.
Address:
Sokoine Drive
5. St. Joseph's Cathedral
Built by German missionaries from 1897 through 1902, this
Gothic-style, Roman Catholic church dominates the Dar es Salaam harbor
front. Its most striking features include a shingled spire, vaulted
interior, and stained-glass windows. The cathedral contains many of the
original German inscriptions and artwork, including a carved relief
above the main altar. It is the seat of the Dar es Salaam archdiocese.
Address:
Sokoine Drive
6. Botanical Gardens
Home to the Dar es Salaam Horticultural Society, the Botanical
Gardens were established in 1893 by Professor Stuhlmann, the first
Director of Agriculture. They were used as a trial plot for testing
different types of plantation crops and tree species. Today garden
enthusiasts can admire an enchanting mix of indigenous and exotic plants
including purple bougainvillea, blue jacaranda, scarlet flame trees,
and red hibiscus. Though the gardens are only a fraction of their former
size, they are one of the few places in the world to see the beautiful
coco-de-mer palm tree, outside of its native Seychelles.
Address:
Samora Avenue
7. Azania Front Lutheran Church
German missionaries built Azania Front Lutheran Church in 1898. The
red-tile belfry rises above the surrounding rooftops, and the
whitewashed building is still an iconic landmark in Dar es Salaam. Tiled
canopies over the windows provide shade and the gardens are a welcome
retreat for weary tourists. At one time Azania was the center of the
original nineteenth century German mission; it is now the cathedral for
the diocese.8. State House
Built in the late 1890s, the State House was the original residence
of the German Governor. In 1922 the British rebuilt the State House,
adding scalloped upper-storey arches and a crenellated parapet, after
they nearly destroyed the building during World War I. The State House
is now the home of the current president. Although it is closed to the
public, the building is an eye-catching landmark along the harbor front.
Address:
Luthuli Street, Kivukoni
9. Mbudya Island
A 10-minute motorboat ride from Kunduchi, beautiful Mbudya Island, in
the Dar es Salaam Marine reserve, seems a world away from the hustle and
bustle of downtown Dar es Salaam. Sun seekers come here to bask on the
island's white-sand beaches, snorkel, and swim the turquoise waters.
Bandas (thatched huts) are available for rent on the beach, and locals
sell fresh barbecued seafood and cold drinks. This is one of the most
popular day trips from the city.
10. Bongoyo Island
Bongoyo Island, a much-loved island getaway, lies off Msasani
Peninsula, about four miles north of the city. On the northwest tip of
the island, day-trippers can relax under the shade of thatched umbrellas
on the white-sand beach or cool off in the clear waters. Angelfish,
starfish, clownfish, and sea urchins, are just some of the marine
species snorkelers might spot among the coral. Behind the beach, nature
trails wind between baobab trees to the island's opposite shore. The
open-air snack bar serves cold drinks and fresh barbecued seafood.
Bongoyo is perhaps the most frequently visited of the four islands in
the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve.
11. Kunduchi Wet ‘N' Wild Water Park
Next to Kunduchi Beach Hotel and Resort, about twelve miles from the
center of town, this is the largest water park in East and Central
Africa. Popular with families, the park is a colorful mix of pools,
playgrounds, fast-food restaurants, and twenty-two water slides of
varying heights, catering to both adults and young children. The park is
also home to Tanzania's only Go Kart track.
Official site:
www.wetnwild.co.tz
Address:
Mtongani, Kunduchi Beach
12. Oyster Bay
Also known as Coco Beach, this affluent expatriate enclave, about four
miles north of the city on the Msasani Peninsula, is a popular weekend
social spot. Locals and tourists alike come here to stroll the beach,
savor street food, and listen to live music. The Tanzanian Tingatinga
Art Gallery in Oyster Bay is also worth a visit
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