Dar es Salaam Attractions
Dar es Salaam is Tanzania's major city, the name means 'haven of peace' in Arabic. It began as a small fishing village in 1857 and now Dar es Salaam has 3 million people with a mix of African, Arabic and Indian cultures.
Tanzania's main port is found at Dar es Salaam harbor straddling some of the most important sea routes in the world. On the northern section of the harbor is Kivukoni Front, with a bustling fish market, where dhows sail in to offload the night's catch every morning at dawn.
The architecture in Dar es Salaam is an eclectic mix of Swahili, German, Asian and British influences. German colonialists organized Dar by arranging a grid pattern of streets fanning out around the port. The German Hospital, the Lutheran Church and St Joseph's Cathedral are several notable structures located on the waterfront.
Tanzania's main port is found at Dar es Salaam harbor straddling some of the most important sea routes in the world. On the northern section of the harbor is Kivukoni Front, with a bustling fish market, where dhows sail in to offload the night's catch every morning at dawn.
The architecture in Dar es Salaam is an eclectic mix of Swahili, German, Asian and British influences. German colonialists organized Dar by arranging a grid pattern of streets fanning out around the port. The German Hospital, the Lutheran Church and St Joseph's Cathedral are several notable structures located on the waterfront.
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National Museum
The informative National Museum, established in 1940, showcases a wide range of artifacts from Tanzania's history and culture. The Museum grounds also include a peacock garden.
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Makumbusho Village Museum
Makumbusho Village is an open air museum with traditional homes displaying traditional arts and everyday items.
Dar ea Salaam - Azania Front Lutheran Church
German missionaries built Azania Front Lutheran Church in 1898. The red-tile belfry rises above the surrounding rooftops and the whitewashed building is still a recognizable landmark in Dar es Salaam. The tiled canopies over the windows provide shade and the gardens are a welcome retreat for weary tourists. The front entrance faces the harbor. At one time Azania was the center of the original 19th C German mission; it is now the cathedral for the diocese.
Karimjee Hall
Karimjee Hall was constructed in 1916 to house the legislative council. The building was presented to Municipality of Dar es Salaam by the Karimjee family and later used as the nation's House of Parliament when Tanzani regained independence in 1961. Karimjee Hall currently houses the City Mayor's Parlor and is used for parliamentary meetings and other functions. It has been used as the venue for many occasions including the swearing in of Julius Nyerere as the country's first president. It is currently closed to the public.
Old Boma
Old Boma is Dar es Salaam's oldest surviving building; constructed in 1867. Old Boma was built to accommodate the guests of Sultan Seyyid Majid who had a palace located next door. Items to note within Old Boma include a door from Zanzibar and coral walls. Three years after the building was completed, the Sultan Majid died, and the city he had constructed fell into disrepair.
Dar es Salaam Surroundings
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Pugu Hills Forest Reserve
(Pugu Hills)
This forest, which is among the oldest in the world, is the source of the Msimbazi River and home to hippos, lions, cheetahs and other wildlife.
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