Dar es Salaam

Dar Es Salaam’s skyline is dotted with upscale hotels, glass skyscrapers, and new apartments towering over dilapidated temples and mosques. The remnants of German and British colonial rule still remain in the city’s architecture. Dar Es Salaam is a chaotic African melting pot, more gritty than beautiful, and jammed with a population expanding faster than the infrastructure can handle.

Dar es Salaam is usually dismissed as a mere entry point for international visitors to Tanzania en route to the safari destinations, but there are sights worth seeing including the National Museum, the Botanical Gardens, and Wonder Workshop. In Bagamoyo, approximately one hour north of Dar Es Salaam, visitors can stop to see the Kaole Ruins that date back to the 13th century.

Dar Es Salaam can also be explored on foot during the day, notable places include the beach along Ocean Road, the chaotic fish market next to the ferry terminal, Mwenge craft market and the sprawling Kariakoo market. The city’s nightlife varies from open-air venues playing East African music, to bars and clubs playing the latest dance music to enjoying an African sunset over a drink or dining at many of the fine restaurants along the city’s waterfront.

Be careful of your belongings in crowded areas — thieves and pick-pockets are common especially in crowded markets. All travelers, but especially women, should avoid secluded beaches. Travelers should also not walk outside after dusk anywhere in Dar Es Salaam – take a taxi even for only a couple of blocks, and keep the windows closed and the doors locked. Unwary foreigners are easy targets for mugging, theft, and assault which are not uncommon and most often occur at night.

The international airport, Julius Nyerere International Airport, is located approximately 6 miles (10km) from city centre and about 12 miles (20km) from Msasani Peninsula, where most of the upscale hotels are located. Dar Es Salaam’s traffic can be horrific during rush hour, so leave plenty of time to reach the airport for departure flights. Dar Es Salaam’s domestic airport is also located next to the international airport, and various regional airlines service flights to all the major cities, towns and airstrips throughout Tanzania.