10 Spots To See In Dar es Salaam
Chicamod Team
Safari
Bagamoyo Town, Bongoyo Island, Coco Beach, Dar es Salaam, Harbor of Peace, Indian Ocean, Jangwani Island, Kigamboni, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mwenge Wood Carvers, National Museum of Dar es Salaam, North Beach, Oyster Bay, Pugu Hills Nature Reserve, South Beach, Tanzania, Tingatinga, Village Museum, Where To Go In Tanzania, Zanzibar 0
Dar es Salaam (Harbor of Peace) is the largest and richest city in Tanzania. The former capital borders the Indian Ocean and has many attractions often overlooked because of the more popular sights in Tanzania, such as Zanzibar and Mount Kilimanjaro. We round up a few sights and reasons for you to visit the beautiful city of Dar es Salaam.
1. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF DAR ES SALAAM
Learn all about the history and culture of Tanzania by visiting the National Museum in Dar es Salaam. The remains of Paranthropus Boisei, who is considered the oldest descendant of man, were found at Olduvai Gorge by Louis Leakey and can be found at the museum.
2. PUGU HILLS NATURE RESERVE
Pugu Hills Nature Reserve is the closest reserve to Dar es Salaam. The reserve is located 25 km from the town and has marvelous hiking trails. While here you can bird watch or visit the cave that has the highest number of bat colonies.
3. COCO BEACH
Coco Beach, also known as Oyster Bay, is a beach stretch on Dar es Salaam’s Msasani Peninsula. The beach is always full of action, especially during the weekends when most people visit to enjoy street food, music and various events.
4. BAGAMOYO TOWN
Bagamoyo is an ancient East African trade port mostly famous for being a stop on the Arab Slave trade route. The name Bagamoyo is derived from “Bwaga Moyo” which means “leave your soul”. The port was the final stop before slaves were transported from Tanzania to various destinations overseas. Due to the strong Arab presence, the town has been mostly influenced by the Arab culture. Travel to the town and visit the ancient ruins, old churches and mosques. Bagamoyo also boats of Tanzania’s only college of arts known as “Chuo cha Sanaa” (School of Arts).
5. BONGOYO ISLAND
Bongoyo Island is a marine reserve located off the coast of Dar es Salaam. Although the island is quite close to the town, you will have to get there by boat. Visit the island during the day and enjoy basking in the sun on the sands, or if you’d prefer take a dive for snorkeling. Make sure you taste the island specialty of fresh fried fish and chips.
6. NORTH BEACH
As the title suggests North Beach is located north of Dar es Salaam. Visit Jangwani Island while in this area, and from White Sands Hotel explore further and travel to Mbuja Island where you’ll get to eat freshly caught seafood from the Indian Ocean.
7. SOUTH BEACH – KIGAMBONI
South Beach is located on the Southern side of Dar es Salaam. Get to the Kigamboni side by crossing on a ferry across the port. The South Beach is serene and hosts a number of hotels.
8. VILLAGE MUSEUM
The Village Museum takes you on a picturesque tour of Tanzanian traditional huts from various tribes in the country. Pay a little extra to sample the different traditional dances and drum performances from an array of ethnic communities.
9. MWENGE WOOD CARVER’S VILLAGE
Visit the Mwenge Wood Carver’s Village on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam for the Tanzanian handicrafts carved by talented craftsmen. You can shop for authentic souvenirs to take home from Tanzania.
10. TINGATINGA ART CENTER
Experience the vibrant Tanzanian art scene first hand by visiting The Tingatinga Art Centre. The artistic movement started by Edward Said Tingatinga, and based on extremely brightly coloured oil paintings and stick figures influences the centre. Art here is also for purchase.
