Dar es Salaam Tanzania safari

Dar es Salaam

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. There are beaches on the Msasani peninsula north of Dar es Salaam and in Kigamboni to the south. Bongoyo Island can be reached by boat from the Msasani Slipway.

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. Tourists love to stay in the upmarket hotels and explore the foods and music halls of this vibrant and fast growing hub. 

Highlights

  • 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. 

  • Dar es Salaam is immensely diverse in terms of culture and tradition, being a cosmopolitan home to African Tanzanians, Arabs, South Asians, British and German expatriates, Catholics, Lutherans and Muslims. This means that the food is equally diverse and visitors can eat out at a traditional Tanzanian barbecue, or choose Zanzibari food, Thai, Chinese and American meals. 
  • 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.

City Life And Accommodation

Feel the electric energy of the city as you explore the picturesque harbour, beautiful beaches, chaotic markets, and historic buildings to get a real sense of this amazing Tanzanian urban destination. Stroll around the city centre to experience the culture. Wander around Kariakoo market then head off to the bustling fish market on the Kivukoni Front of the harbour.

Many business people are attracted to Dar es Salaam to have meetings and expand their businesses or start new adventures now that the Tanzania economy has strengthened and the Dar es Salaam harbour is the largest on the East African coast. The city is reliable in terms of communication infrastructure and offers high class conference facilities, luxury hotel accommodation and amazing restaurants and leisure facilities.

Where To Stay

Choose the ideal accommodation in Dar es Salaam to suit your budget and style: city hotels, beachside bungalows, luxury lodges and rustic cabins. Discover an infrastructure influenced by its blend of Swahili, German, Asian, and British heritage, harking back to the city’s rich history.

Escape the hustle and bustle of Dar with day trips to beautiful Mbudya and Bongoyo Islands for fun in the sun. The famous Selous Game Reserve is a short flight away by light plane. 

Family Holidays to Dar es Salaam are Hot

Pack up the entire family for a safari holiday to Tanzania that they will never forget. Intrepid journeys into Africa introduce your kids to the biggest classroom in the world, nature! Game viewing, nature walks, river cruises and camping under the stars are all part of a safari adventure your family will talk about for years down the line!  

Bring your children into the true wilderness of Tanzania, our top African safari destination of all time – so check out the luxury lodge and bush camp accommodation where children are made to feel at home and book your special family package today.

The Best of the Best Holidays in Dar es Salaam

Plan a Tanzania tour and safari with Voyage2Africa, the African travel experts, and enjoy signature experiences to the premier wildlife destination south of the equator. We bring you thrilling adventures in the Serengeti and Tarangire National Parks, the vast Selous Game Reserve and the spectacular Ruaha National Park. We offer you the best of the best safari accommodation in Tanzania, in lavish lodges, family resorts, modern hotels, eco villas and rustic wild campsites in nature. Bring your camera and you hat, your binoculars and your sense of spirit to an African land that is home to humankind.

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