Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam grew from a fishing settlement into the country's largest city and its main port, built around a narrow harbour entrance that gave it its value. The centre carries layers of German, British and Indian building, the National Museum holds the hominin material from Olduvai including the Zinjanthropus skull, and the Village Museum shows dwellings from around the country. The fish market at Feriboti works from dawn, and the ferry to Zanzibar leaves from the same waterfront.

What you actually see

• The National Museum - the Olduvai hominin material including the Zinjanthropus skull.
• The fish market - the dawn auction and grill at the Feriboti waterfront.
• The Village Museum - dwellings from around the country built on one site.
• The harbour - the narrow entrance and working port that made the city.

When to go

June to October is the driest and least humid. The long rains from March to May are heavy. Humidity is high through most of the year.

Honest expectations

Traffic congestion is severe and crossing the city takes a long time. The heat and humidity are wearing. Most visitors treat it as a transit point for Zanzibar rather than a destination.

Nearby

Bongoyo Island is offshore, and Bagamoyo is north.