DAR-ES-SALAAM  - The Great Escape to the pearl of South Coast

Dar-Es-Salaam City Tour

Tanzania National Museum
The City Tour starts from the museum house, where the most significant archeological pieces of the fossils of Zinjathropus, stone age tools, Tanzania’s historical articles from the period of the slave trade, European exploration, German occupation and British colonization, as well as traditional art crafts of several Tanzania's tribes are displayed.

Botanical Garden
From there the tour proceeds to Botanical Garden, which was established by the Germans in 1906. The garden still having the same colorful enchanting flavor of flowers and plants. After a short break at the Garden, continue with the tour to Art House through “States House” .

Mwalimu Nyerere Cultural Centre- Nyumba Ya Sanaa (Art House)
The "Art House" or Mwalimu Nyerere Cultural Centre was established in 1983 by a Catholic Nun with the help of the Norwegian Funds. It displays traditional arts and crafts, which are mostly made by women and people with disability.

Makumbusho Village
Then proceed to Makumbusho (Memorial Village) that holds authentically constructed dwellings from different parts (tribes) of the country. The village often holds Ngoma (traditional dances) and other cultural activities.

Mwenge Art Market
From Makumbusho Village to Tinga Tinga Art gallery (Mwenge), this is the area where local people sell their art crafts. Most of the goods are made at the gallery and it offers a wide selection of beautiful pottery, paintings, jewellery, and carvings.

University of Dar-Es-Salaam
Proceeds to the University of Dar es Salaam, well known as Mlimani "The Hill"; it is situated at the hill.

Kariakoo Market
Drive back to the city through the famous Kariakoo Market. It is the main market of the city full of exotic fresh produce, handicrafts, local textile material and many other locally made products.

To most travellers, Dar-Es-Salaam is just a convenient port of call on the way to more exotic destinations of Zanzibar, the game parks, Pemba or Mafia Islands. This is a great pity, because “Dar”, as it is affectionately called by aficionados of the city, is a fascinating rabbit warren of a tropical port, often surprising the unwary wanderer with scenes of breathtaking beauty. While Dodoma has been (somewhat absurdly) appointed as the new capital of Tanzania, Dar is the real capital, a hustling, bustling seaport that straddles some of the most important sea routes on earth.
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Be warned though, like all seaports, it has its dangers. You are strongly advised not to wander around the city at night in small groups, particularly around the port and on the beaches north of the city around Kunduchi. And never exchange money on the streets with the touts who offer you “best rates in town”. They will either be rip-off artists who cleverly pad a wad of shillings with blank paper, or undercover policemen who will give you a warning, but keep your dollars. The Tanzanian shilling is, in any case, a regulated currency, and the black market will yield scant rewards.
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Life in Dar es Salaam revolves around the huge harbour, with the business district fanning out from here in a series of fascinating side and main streets. There is something irresistible about whiling away a few hours sitting at the water’s edge, watching dhows, as traditionally rigged as they have been for centuries, slipping under the bows of huge cruise liners and cargo ships as they skilfully navigate the waters of the port. On the northern arm of the harbour is Kivukoni Front, with its bustling fish market, where every morning at dawn the dhows sail in to offload the night’s catch, and yelling fishwives compete with each other for the best of the catch.
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The city itself is an eclectic mix of Swahili, German, Asian and British architecture, reflecting its colonial past and more recent history. It is a relatively new city – Sultan Majid bin Said, then the sultan of Zanzibar, saw the potential of Dar as a deepwater port because of its strategic position at the centre of the East African coast. In 1866, he began work on his palace, built of coral blocks hewn on Changuu Island off Zanzibar. But he died before its completion and the palace fell into ruin – but not before he gave the tiny port its name – “Haven of Peace”.
                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                             
Eleven years later, the German colonialists revived the plan and seized Dar from its Arab rulers, fighting off an uprising by the Bushiri local tribe. The Teutonic order they imposed on the chaotic little port is reflected today in the neatly laid out grid patterns of streets fanning out around the port, and in several grand edifices scattered around the waterfront, most notably the German Hospital, the Lutheran Church and St Joseph’s Cathedral. Other places worth a visit in the city centre include the botanical gardens, and the adjacent National Museum, where archaeology buffs can see the skull of “Nutcracker Man” (see history), antique tribal artefacts and some fascinating World War One memorabilia.
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Wandering the streets of Dar is nowhere more rewarding than in the Asian business district, along India Street and the intersecting Indira Ghandi Street. Here the flavours and smells are of a little Bombay, and if there’s anything you need to buy for your holiday, this is where you’ll find it. In this concentrated section of the city, you’ll find some of the best restaurants in East Africa, notably on Jamhuri, Mkunguni, Zanaki and Kisutu Streets. Further afield, take a taxi or walk up Ohio Street to where it becomes Upanga Road near the Gymkhana Club and look out for the distinctive Makuti-palm roofed building that houses Nyumba ya Saana, the House of Art. Begun in 1972 by an American nun, the co-operative supports nearly 200 young artists, with work ranging from batiks through carvings, oil paintings, pottery, weaving and clothing.
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Tanzania offers hotel accommodations for all pocket sizes. These range from plus 5-star hotels to economy lodges to fit all budgets. Hit Holidays has special arrangements with many hotels throughout Tanzania. We can offer you substansial savings and discounts when you make your hotel bookings with us.

We will negotiate the hotel rates depending on the number of people and season, apart from the displayed rack rates which most of the times client find it expensive. Contact us to get extras! which includes more than accommodation!.

The following is a short list of some of the exclusive hotels in Dar-Es-Salaam hat we can offer you great prices!

 

Hotel Name Name Amenities Location Beachcomber Hotel & Resort Sports-Health, Restaurant, Snack-bar, Beach Dar       Holiday Inn Swimming Pool, Restaurants, Mini-gym, Conference Room, Valet Service Dar         Jangwani Seabreeze lodge Swimming Pool, Inland Garden, Conference Room and more... Dar         Livingstone Club Swimming Pool, night-life, club, live entertainment and folk shows Bagamoyo         New Africa Hotel & Casino Swimming Pool, Casino, Restaurant, Bar Dar         Paradise Hotel & Resort Swimming Pool, Casino, Restaurant, Bar and more... Dar         Protea Hotels   Dar         Peacock Hotel   Dar         Royal Palm Hotel   Dar           SleepIn Hotel   Dar           Silversands   Dar         Sea Cliff Hotel   Dar         White Sands Hotel & Resort   Dar         Valley View Hotel   Dar