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.

Background

Dar es Salaam, from the Arabic for Abode of Peace, is Tanzania's largest city and financial hub on the Swahili coast. With over 7 million people it is the largest city in East Africa and the fifth largest in Africa, and its population is expected to pass 10 million before 2030. Founded in the mid-19th century, it was the main administrative and trading centre of German East Africa, Tanganyika and Tanzania until the capital moved to Dodoma, a change decided in 1974 and completed in 1996. Its region has five districts: Kinondoni, Ilala, Ubungo, Temeke and Kigamboni across the Kurasini estuary.

Source: Wikipedia, "Dar es Salaam"

The main sights

• 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.

Before you go

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.

Key facts