Dar es Salaam

Tanzania’s largest city and main logistics hub, Dar es Salaam, often referred to simply as ‘Dar,’ is situated along the Indian Ocean coast. Although it is not the capital—that title belongs to the inland city of Dodoma—it remains a key entry point for travelers. Most visitors use Dar es Salaam as a convenient stopover before heading to Zanzibar’s beaches or embarking on inland safaris to explore Tanzania’s renowned wildlife destinations. Discover the largest city in Tanzania, nestled along a natural harbour on the Indian Ocean, and start your safari into renowned national parks from here. Voyage2Africa knows where to stay in this magical African city and what to do in the streets of Dar es Salaam.

Wander around the financial and political hub of the country and check out our bespoke list of accommodation at top of the range hotels and luxury lodges when you plan your Tanzania safari. This is a good place from which to start your island hopping holiday, a convenient port of call. Make this your launch pad for incredible game viewing on a Tanzania safari inland at one of the famous national parks.

Dar es Salaam means ’Abode of Peace’ and is affectionately called Dar a- it’s also the capital of Dar es Salaam Region, boasting a population of over six million people making it the largest city in East Africa. Find it on the beautiful Swahili coast, one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, and an increasingly popular destination with business people from all over the world.

The town was founded by Majid bin Said, the first Sultan of Zanzibar, in 1865 or 1866 and today Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s most prominent city for arts, fashion, media, film, television, and finance.

Highlights

We recommend spending a night or two in Dar es Salaam as part of your journey on a wildlife safari to the parks of Tanzania. Let us handle your entire trip and show you the best of what the city has to offer. Discover Tanzania’s rich history and vibrant culture at the National Museum, enjoy delicious street food, and take day trips to Oyster Bay, also known as Coco Beach, or the beautiful Bongoyo Island.

Where to stay and what to do in Dar es Salaam. A Dar es Salaam holiday can take you to the beaches of Zanzibar or into the Tanzania reserves. Don’t miss the chance to shop for local crafts at Kariakoo Market, snorkel in crystal-clear waters, and spot dolphins and turtles.

Dar es Salaam has two of the five museums that make up the National Museum of Tanzania consortium:
The National Museum is dedicated to the history of Tanzania and some of the findings by Louis Leakey and by a scientist, from the University of Dar es Salaam, of footprints thought to be of a hominid that predates Homo sapiens.
The Makumbusho Cultural Centre & Village Museum showcases traditional huts from 16 different Tanzanian ethnic groups and examples of traditional cultivation, as well as daily traditional music and dance shows.
Buy a memento at the Mwenge Woodcarvers Market and view local artists in action who will tell you their stories – wander around for a while before committing to one particular artist.

Did you know?

Tourists pass through Dar es Salaam en route to extraordinary tours to Zanzibar, Selous or Ruaha National Parks making the most of the safari dry season from June to October in Tanzania.