Museums, Beaches And Safaris In Tanzania’s Capital

Tourism in Dar es Salaam is about quiet walks on the streets of this capital city, admiring the British Colonial architecture, visiting the museums, strolling at the few beaches the city has, strolling at the Botanical Garden and admiring the colonial legacies reflected in the architecture across the city.

If this does not satisfy the traveler in you, you could look for safari tours or hop on a train or one of those dalla-dallas to some connected destination.

Here are some tourist attractions of the city

1.The National Museum

Perhaps one of its kinds, the National Museum is located close to the Botanic gardens. The famous fossil discoveries made by Leakey in Olduvai Gorge and also the displays on regional civilizations, find their home here. Among the latter, there are displays on slave trade and those from the German and British colonial phase of the history of Tanzania.

2.The Village Museum

About 10 kilometers northwards from the center of the city, this is an open-air museum. Another amazing musing of De res Salaam, it is home to 19 dwellings recollected authentically. They depict the traditional ways of living that exist throughout the country of Tanzania. The afternoons at this venue are times for the performances of traditional music and dance.

3.Botanical Gardens

These gardens dating back to the period of German colonialism of the country, are abode of peace with soothing greener all around. Among a variety of palms and ferns that have found their home in this garden, you can even spot peacocks on a stroll here.

4.Nyumba Ya Sana

The Nyumba Ya Sanna or the Nyere Cultural Center is also known as the ‘House of Arts’. This place is the platform for young artisans who congregate here to work and display their creations. It’s a major center for handicrafts in the city.  A number of handmade items like jewellery, textiles, pottery, pottery etc are available here at affordable prices. If interested, you could also participate in some of the crafts works here.

On weekends, the village museum is place to traditional dance performances along with a bar and even a restaurant.

While these are the must visit attractions in the city, you could go a little further from here for some more entertainment. Here are some places a little far-off the city that deserves a visit.

1.Msasani Peninsula

To the north of the center of the city is the Msasani Peninsula. On the western side of this peninsula is the vibrant Msasani fishing village, said to be standing on the site that is said to be one of East Africa’s oldest coastal Arabic settlements.

A series of 17th century remains of what is supposed to be the oldest graveyard of Dar es Salaam, lies further west along the Msasani Bay.

2.Beaches

To the north of this Tanzanian Capital City, at about 25 kilometers are beach resorts. Not only are they good tourist destinations, they make for a good getaway for the people of De res-Salaam. Ruins of Mosques belonging to the 16th century and those of the Arabic graves from the 18th and the 19th century, known as the Kunduchi ruins can be found a little before the beaches.

To the south of Kigamboni and around Gezaulole Village, south from the city of Dar es Salaam are some good beaches too.

The northern beaches also have diving and snorkeling excursions. The islands off the city too have these water sports.

Diving and snorkeling excursions along the northern beaches and around the islands off Dar es Salaam.

3.Excursions

If you can take out a day’s time, there are plenty of options for excursions from the city. The ferry to Zanzibar takes anywhere between 2 to 3 hours or more. The more costly ones, priced around $45, take you to Zanzibar in less than 2 hours.

Another place that takes about the same commuting time from Dar es Salaam is Morogoro. The Non-Governmental Organization APOPO started in 1198 was aimed at training giant rats to tackles landmines in Mozambique and recently, they have been investing in utilizing low-cost technology for the detection of TB pathogens.

4.Safaris

Safaris are another way to get some entertainment when you are in Dar es Salaam.

Touring the city

Walking tours are perhaps a nice way of navigating through the city on foot and getting the best out of the place. Among some historical buildings is the notable bronze Askari Monument which is dedicated to Africans who were killed during the World War I. The Botanical Gardens too are covered through these walking tours.

Known for a variety of architecture, some remarkable Moorish styled buildings include the obsolete Ocean Road Hospital that has a small white dome. It was here that Robert Koch carried out his remarkable research on Malaria. St Joseph’s cathedral built in 1897 with original German inscriptions is worth a watch.

The Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania organizes bird walks in the Capital of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam that has a variety of this species.

Dar es Salaam, thus has a bit of everything that you might look forward to as a tourist, though in moderate forms. Nevertheless, it is a pretty city apt for relaxing your senses.