As the largest city in Tanzania, Dar es Salaam is the primary economic centre and transport hub of the country. It is also home to an array of tourism opportunities and a gateway to some of the continent’s most spectacular attractions.
Listed by the New York Times as one of the 52 Places to Go in 2014, Dar es Salaam is best visited between July and October, or from December to March. It is a harbour city of around four million people, a melting pot of African, Asian and European cultures that offers authentic local experiences alongside international hotel and travel brands.
Originally a fishing village on the periphery of Indian Ocean trade routes, Dar es Salaam grew as a city out of developments built by the Majid bin Said of Zanzibar in the 1860s who named it, in Arabic, “the home of peace”. The city fell into decline after his death, but was revived by the German East Africa Company several decades later, becoming the administrative and commercial centre of German East Africa. It was later occupied by the British, and the influences of these two major 19th century powers are still evident in elements of the city’s architecture and culture.
The city is home to a vibrant music scene, with traditional music jostling for attention amid old-school dance music, hip-hop, R&B and Western sounds. Live bands perform at a collection of clubs and hotel venues, with many beach venues adding a festive atmosphere to the late weekend afternoons.
Although the better swimming beaches are found outside Dar es Salaam’s main precincts, there are many great activities for families to enjoy when visiting the city. Start with the Kunduchi Wet-n-Wild Water Park, the largest water park in East and Central Africa, with crystal clear pools, exciting rides, and wonderful facilities for children and adults.
Nearby hiking locations include the trails in the Udzungwa Mountains National Park, where one of the more popular routes is a half-day trek to the 170m Sanje Waterfall, with its monkeys, birds and butterflies.
If you can’t make it deeper into Tanzania to visit the country’s world famous game parks and reserves, the Pande Game Reserve, just 34km from Dar es Salaam, will give you a hint of what’s out there. Another option is the Pugu Hills Nature Reserve, 25km outside the city, where you can hike, watch birds, or visit caves famous for their bat colonies. Tanzanians take great pride in handcraft and artwork, and markets and retail workshops offer a wide range of exquisite pieces.
Dar es Salaam is renowned for its eclectic collection of food styles, from nyama choma (grilled meat) to authentic Indian dishes. If you’re staying in accommodation where you can cook your own food, it’s worth visiting the city’s markets and its fish market — although that’s best done first thing in the morning to bag the best buys.
If its history you’re after, visit the National Museum of Dar es Salaam, that includes unexpected gems like an exhibit of bicycles made completely of wood. Temple Road is home to shrines of various faiths, and a stroll along this route will undoubtedly leave you inspired.
Dar es Salaam is also the gateway to the many other wonders for which Tanzania has become globally renowned. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak and a popular destination for South Africans seeking a once-in-a-lifetime challenge, is just a 65-minute flight away on fastjet, a low-cost pan-African airline operating from Tanzania.
You can fly from Kilimanjaro (or Dar es Salaam) to Entebbe in Uganda, where you could embark on an unforgettable mountain gorilla experience. Uganda is also home to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you can see the infamous tree-climbing lions.
If you’ve got your heart set on travelling Africa’s Great Lakes region, you could connect to Mwanza from Dar es Salaam on fastjet. Mwanza is known for the dramatic Bismarck Rock, and is a convenient starting point for trips to the islands in Lake Victoria, with the world-famous Serengeti National Park a short, two-and-a-half hour drive away.
For a memorable mountain hike visit the African Rift Valley. Mbeya offers you access to the Ngozi Crater Lake, the Mbozi Meteorite Stone (the eight largest meteorite in the world) and the Natural Bridge at Kiwira. The area is home to Rungwe Mountain, composed of more than 10 dormant volcanic craters and domes.
If you’re looking for remarkable scenery, take a drive from Mbeya to Matema Beach along the shores of Lake Malawi. It’s easy to access this area on an 85-minute flight on fastjet that surely beats the 10-hour bus drive, once the only option available.
There’s no doubt that Tanzania is a gem worth visiting, whether you’re after the rich culture and vibrant atmosphere of Dar es Salaam, or the myriad natural wonders to be found within easy reach of destinations like Mwanza, Mbeya and Kilimanjaro.
How to get to Dar es Salaam
South Africans intending to spend less than 90 days in Tanzania do not require a visa to enter the country, and regulations requiring a yellow fever vaccination to enter and leave the country were relaxed during 2014.
fastjet flies between Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg daily using its Airbus A319 aircraft, connecting two of Africa’s most exciting cities for as little as $50, excluding taxes and checked-in luggage. Flights are three hours and 20 minutes, and land at Julius Nyerere International Airport. Dar es Salaam is one hour ahead of South Africa.
fastjet’s extensive network within Tanzania means that South Africans can book flights from Dar es Salaam to Kilimanjaro, Mbeya and Mwanza from as little as $20, excluding taxes. Its international flights from Dar es Salaam include routes to Entebbe in Uganda, Lilongwe in Malawi, Lusaka in Zambia and Harare in Zimbabwe from as little as $50.
Book flights online at www.fastjet.com/za where the cheapest fares and luggage charges are guaranteed; by telephone via fastjet’s customer service centre on 011 289 8090 or at the Swissport ticket counter at OR Tambo International Airport.