Dar Es Salaam
Dar Es Salaaam’s root meaning is “House of Peace”. This city provides plenty of things to keep you busy for a few days, provides a beautiful backdrop for a city, and has even better weather. Dar Es Salaam is quite the cultural mix with Arabic, Indian and African roots all while the city still maintains its Swahili ties. Whether you are here for a few days or venturing off to the infamous Zanzibar, Dar Es Salaam is a wonderful place.
- Pictures |
- Things to do |
- Nightlife |
- Dining |
- Shopping |
- Travel tips
Dar Es Salaam Pictures
Things to do in Dar Es Salaam
Dar, as it is known by the Africans is typically a stopping ground to more exotic locations like Zanzibar, game parks or Pemba Island, but there’s plenty to do here as well. If you want a truly “Dar” experience go to the Frenetic Fish market every morning at dawn and watch the nights catch come in and the competition for the best catch! Another must see location is the popular National Museum and Botanical Gardens that are located next to each other. If you like archaeology, then you will love it there as you can see some fine antique tribal artifacts and some WWI memorabilia that commemorates the Africans who faught in the war. Lastly, go to the Kivukoni Front to enjoy the beautiful waterfront and the government-building lined streets.
Nightlife in Dar Es Salaam
The Nightlife scene in Dar Es Salaam may be small, but it is most certainly crazy. One of the more popular locations is the Q Bar which has live music on the weekend and a big screen TV to watch sports on. Garden Bistro is another great place to head for the night. Happy Hour is Thursday – Sunday and live music is found there on the weekends. If you want a more low-key night, check out the Village Museum for some local drumming and dancing on Saturday and Sunday evenings.
Dining in Dar Es Salaam
If you want some sunset views, pillows and cushions, check out the new 81 Steps at the Peninsula Seaview Hotel. Here you can enjoy a five course meal while looking out at the beautiful turquoise ocean. Another great place is Addis in Dar which offers mouth watering Ethiopian food and serves to Vegetarians as well. Make sure to drop by Chef’s Pride as well. It has long been a popular place to have a quick bite to eat. It’s a classic location and offers a variety of international and local cuisine.
Shopping in Dar Es Salaam
If you want to go to the local markets, the safest and one of the best spots is the Msasani Slipway Weekend Craft market. The quality is good here and bargaining power is a must. You can even get Tingatinga-style paintings at this market. For a more Western-style shopping experience, check out Shopper’s Plaza.
Dar Es Salaam Travel Tips
- Dar Es Salaam is relatively safe compared to many of its African counterparts, but always be cautious of pickpocketing in crowded areas.
- Avoid the DalaDala at night and take taxis to get where you need to go.
- Visit sometime between July and September, when the city experiences the least amount of rainfall.
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