Top 8 Things to do in Dar es Salaam /  Toursim Activities at Dar Es Saalam City – Tanzania

Top 8 Things to do in Dar es Salaam  : Apart from Arusha, Dar es Salaam is one of Tanzania’s most popular tourist destinations, located near the Zanzibar Islands and the Mikumi National Park. The city has its own attractions and several tourist activities, ensuring that visitors enjoy their Tanzania safari. It is well-known as the starting point for many Tanzania safaris, as the city is home to the country’s international airport, Julius Nyerere International Airport, which serves as a gateway to many Tanzania safaris. The majority of travelers to Zanzibar and even northern circuit safaris arrive in Dar es Salaam and then go to their pre-arranged destinations.

Dar es Salaam City

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city, is situated on the Indian Ocean’s coast and is home to a diverse population and culture. The city is bursting with a range of activities for every type of tourist and is known for its beaches, islands, seafood, and music. Here are some of the top attractions and activities to do while you’re in this City of Peace.

  • Visiting Botanical Gardens

Despite the fact that they are in danger of being obliterated by construction, these botanical gardens provide an important shady respite in the city. They were founded in 1893 by Professor Stuhlman, the first Director of Agriculture, and were used as test plots for various plantation crops and tree species. Today, you may see purple bougainvillea, blue jacaranda, crimson flame trees, and red hibiscus among a beautiful mix of indigenous and exotic species thus Top 8 Things to do in Dar es Salaam . The gardens are one of the few sites in the world where you can view the exquisite coco-de-mer palm tree outside of its native Seychelles, even though they are only a fraction of their previous size. This is one of the best places to visit when in Dar es Salaam because it allows you to get away from the city and into the wilds of these botanical species.

Top 8 Things to do in Dar es Salaam
Botanical Gardens
  • Visiting the Askari Monument

If you’re taking a sightseeing tour of downtown Dar, you might be curious about this remarkable statue at one of the city’s key intersections. The Askari Monument, made of bronze, depicts an Askari (soldier) in a World War I uniform, his rifle’s spear pointing towards the adjacent harbor. It was first displayed in 1927. The monument can be visited at any time, regardless of the weather, because it is self-explanatorily you can go alone or hire a guide to explain it to you, look for the inscription in English and Swahili written by Rudyard Kipling, the famous British writer and poet.

  • Oyster Bay excursion

It is also known as Cocoa Beach or Coco Beach, and it is generally known for its picturesque beach. It is another great site to visit when you’re in Dar es Salaam. Along the Indian Ocean, Oyster Bay is located north of Dar es Salaam’s major business center. Since colonial times, Europeans have lived in this area. Europeans working for development aid organizations, as well as senior government officials such as ministers, permanent secretaries, directors, and commissioners, have lived here since independence. On weekends, the upscale expat enclave of Oyster Bay is one of the greatest hangout spots in Dar es Salaam. Tourists and locals alike flock to Coco Beach to promenade the beach, eat street food, and listen to live music.

You’ll find farmers’ markets, boutique shops, and art galleries at the Oyster Bay Shopping Center, where you may purchase Tanzanian goods and souvenirs to commemorate your visit to Tanzania. Look for Tinga Tinga paintings in the galleries; this vivid creative form is said to have started in Oyster Bay and spread throughout East Africa.

  • Visiting St. Joseph Cathedral

When you visit Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, be impressed by the stunning architecture of St. Joseph Cathedral. This Gothic-style Roman Catholic Church, which dominates the harbor front, is the seat of the Dar es Salaam archdiocese. The cathedral, which was built by German missionaries between 1897 and 1902, is notable for its shingled tower, vaulted interior, and stained-glass windows behind the altar. Many of the original German inscriptions and artwork, especially the carved relief above the main altar, can still be seen today. Many people believe that the best time to take in the ambiance is during the Sunday morning service.

This Gothic-style Roman Catholic Church stands out among the steel and glass towers that line the harbor’s edge. On a hot day, however, it’s a cool and calming area to sit and ponder. The Dar es Salaam archdiocese’s seat, St. Joseph Cathedral, has several notable features that make it worthwhile to visit.

  • Visiting Kivukoni Fish Market

Kivukoni Fish Market is a must-see for everyone visiting Dar es Salaam. The Kivukoni Fish Market is a great place to get a glimpse of daily life in Dar es Salaam. Visiting this bustling waterfront, especially if you enjoy seafood, is one of the most popular things to do in Dar es Salaam. Kivukoni Fish Market has you covered, whether you’re looking for the best catch of the day or the freshest seafood in Dar es Salaam. This renowned site of interest, which is located on the harbor front, is the best place to get a true taste of Dar es Salaam life. Watch as fishing boats unload their catch and examine the vast array of aquatic species on show, which include crabs, snapper, and squid, to mention a few. If you want to witness the markets at their most active, early morning is the best time to go.

Top 8 Things to do in Dar es Salaam
Kivukoni Fish Market
  • A Trip to Bongoyo Island

Bongoyo Island is an uninhabited island in Tanzania located 2.5 kilometers north of Dar es Salaam and is another great destination to explore when in Dar es Salaam. It is the most visited of the four islands in the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve and is a popular daytrip for both tourisTanzaniants and  residents for snorkeling and sunbathing. Other popular activities include relaxing on the white-sand beach under thatched umbrellas and cooling off in the clear waters thus Top 8 Things to do in Dar es Salaam .

Among the marine animals you might see when you’re in this island are angelfish, starfish, clownfish, and sea urchins. Natural pathways wind between baobab trees behind the beach and the island’s other coast. The open-air snack bar serves refreshing drinks and delicious barbecued seafood for you to enjoy while taking in the sights and sounds of this amazing location.

  • Day Trip to Mbudya Island

It’s no surprise that Mbudya is one of Dar es Salaam’s most popular day outings. Get away from the noise and bustle of Dar es Salaam’s downtown area. The lovely island paradise of Mbudya Island in the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve is a 15-minute motorboat journey from the mainland. Take in the sun on the white-sand beaches of the island, go snorkeling, or go for a swim in the turquoise waters. While unwinding in this excellent location, you can experience fresh barbecued seafood and cool refreshments.

Top 8 Things to do in Dar es Salaam
Mbudya Island
  • Visiting the National Museum and House of Culture

Tanzania’s Museum and House of Culture is the first and largest museum in Tanzania. It is found on Dar es Salaam’s Shaban Robert Street. It was built between 1938 and 1939 and opened to the public in 1940. Since 1940, the National Museum of Tanzania, formally known as the King George V Museum of England, has inherited the collections and other resources of the National Museum of Tanzania, which is the country’s largest and oldest museum.

It now has four permanent exhibitions, comprising galleries dedicated to art, history, human evolution, and rock art. The permanent exhibition halls for biology and ethnography are now being built. Similarly, the National Museum and House of Culture oversees six storage rooms for collections of art, archaeology, biology, ethnography, history, and paleontology, as well as a strong room for vital national treasures.

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