Home to over 4 million people, Dar es Salaam is a fusion of
African, Arab and European influences and worth a long stopover, at the
very least.
It is a lively, cosmopolitan port city, set on the east coast of
Tanzania, with Zanzibar to its north. It’s Tanzania’s largest city, but
it’s no longer its capital, which is Dodoma further west inland.
A spot of culture
The National Museum of Tanzania in the city is your first stop, to
really get to grips with the earliest history of the country. From finds
of early man in the world famous Olduvai Gorge (and, at nearly 2
million years, we’re talking really early!) wander through the exhibits
documenting the kaleidoscope of cultures that dominated across the
centuries – the Shirazi Persian culture of the early 14th century, the East African slave trade centred at Zanzibar, colonial rule of Germany and Britain, to modern-day Tanzania.
Next door to the museum is the House of Culture, which hosts contemporary art exhibitions and music.
Harbour magic
From the hush of the museum, head to the noise and colour of the fish
markets. The largest of the city’s fish markets is Kivukoni and if
you’re up early you’ll be able to see the traditional wooden dhows sail
in with their catch. The market has been around for generations and
employs around 3,000 people representing every kind of fishing industry
trade: boat and net repairers, icemen and women, wood suppliers, cooks
and auctioneers.
Fish is cheaper than meat on the coast and it’s a part of the staple
diet. After early-morning trading, the workers fill up on lunch, and
you’ll be able to do that, too.
Celebrate freedom
Central to Tanzania’s hard-won independence is the Uhuru Torch
Monument, a symbol of Tanzania’s freedom and located in the Mnazi Mmoja
Park of the Kariakoo coastal area. The monument is a white obelisk with a
replica of the Uhuru Torch at the top. The original Uhuru Torch was lit
back in 1961 on the eve of Tanzania’s independence, at the summit of
Kilimanjaro, as a symbol of light and freedom shining across the
country.
If you’re feeling up to it, you can take part in the Uhuru Torch Race that takes place around Tanzania each year.
Feel the buzz
After you’ve checked out the Uhuru Torch Monument, nip over to the
Kariakoo market, a bustling, chaotic place nearby at Sikuku Street of
the old town. It’s the city’s biggest market, covering several blocks.
It’s perfect for people watching and for observing the real daily life
of the citizens – and you might pick up a bargain. You’ll find it
refreshing to see luscious fruit and vegetables piled up at their
natural, oddly-shaped and beautiful best, rather than pristine and
uniform in the clinical aisles of a supermarket.
You’ll find terrifyingly huge avocados, fresh, plump tomatoes, green
bananas, juicy mangos, and herbs and spices that perfume the crowded
avenues.
If you’re feeling daring, check out the underground market where
fruit and veg are sold wholesale: it’s hot, stuffy and a huge test of
character.
Ocean views
If you’d like to get out of the city, head out to Coco Beach in
Oyster Bay, enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. It’s a place to hang
out, enjoy the sea views, play beach football, stretch your legs along
the white sand, and surf the blue waters. There’s a lively oceanfront
scene, with beer and food vendors and if you’re lucky you’ll catch some
bongo flava rhythms – hip-hop music in a style that Tanzania’s own.
Dar es Salaam has everything a lively city has to offer, as well as
its own unique culture. If you’d like a city adventure after your safari and before your beach holiday, then it’s the perfect stop-off.
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