Dar es Salaam is one of the biggest cities in Tanzania. This is an important city on the Indian Ocean’s coast. Moreover, Dar es Salaam is a major port in Tanzania. Many tourists from other countries start their adventures in Tanzania exactly from this settlement. However, Dar es Salaam deserves more attention because the city has so much to offer. Beautiful beaches, marvelous and attractive architecture, and massive opportunities for active recreation make this city a destination that is worth exploring. Dar es Salaam is suitable not only for adult travelers and fans of extreme but also for families with small children.
There was a village named Mzizima on the site of modern Dar es Salaam in the 19th century. Local people mostly did fishing for a living. The first European arrived in the region in 1859. This was Albert Roscher from Hamburg. Three years later, Sultan Sayyid Majid bin Said decided to build a city on the coast of the Indian Ocean. The sultan gave the new city that name that we all know today - Dar es Salaam. When Sayyid Majid bin Said died, the process of building the city slowed down. Only in 1889, when Germans occupied the city, the first dock appeared in Dar es Salaam. The British became rulers in the region in 1916.
Are you planning to visit Dar es Salaam to sunbathe and enjoy beach recreation at the coast of the Indian Ocean? For this purpose, consider visiting a beach in Kigamboni, a southeastern district in the city. This is a calm and peaceful place that is possible to reach by car or by ferry. It is important to mention that, except for beaches near hotels and resort complexes, almost all public beaches in Dar es Salaam are somewhat abandoned. They don’t have a well-developed infrastructure, and some vacationers might think that they lack comfort. That is why, if the beachside infrastructure is crucial for you, it is better to choose a beach near your hotel. These beaches offer gear for rent.
Nature in Dar es Salaam is suitable for active recreation. You can ride waves if you know how to surf. The area is also perfectly suitable for diving, so this is a wonderful opportunity to see the local underwater world. Many tourists enjoy making canoe excursions or simply take a stroll along the waterfront that offers striking views of the endless ocean surface.
Many tourists may wonder how they can enter beaches of hotels if they don’t stay at these hotels. It is not hard to do – simply buy a drink or some food, and you are allowed to enter. Moreover, you won’t need to worry about beach gear. Beaches near hotels already come with everything necessary. They have a soft sand surface, and the water is shallow near the coast, making local beaches suitable for both adults and children.
Tourists may also find it interesting to visit Bongoyo Island that is located not far from Dar es Salaam. The island is still uninhabited. It attracts a big number of tourists, but locals also enjoy visiting this place to relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this place. There are two beaches, one of which is more popular and that is why there are many small restaurants near this beach. The coastal waters are so clean that there is no need to use any special equipment to see the bottom and underwater life. The beach is covered with soft white sand that looks like snow.
The other beach is quite narrow. This is an incredibly beautiful area but it is not very comfortable for beach recreation. There are beautiful forests on the island, and some of them are so dense that it is better not to explore them alone. Sharp rocks block the way from time to time, encouraging tourists to return back. Consider heading to the northern part of the island and relaxing in the naturally formed lagoon that stretches along the coast. There are mango trees in this part of the island, so you can see how this popular fruit grows.
If you choose to travel by air, you need to know that Dar es Salaam has its own airport that has two terminals. One of these terminals was finished not long ago. It accommodates flights from European, Asian, and African countries. The old terminal is for domestic flights, so only airplanes from such cities of Tanzania as Arusha and Zanzibar land there. It is possible to get to Dar es Salaam by train only from the capital of Zambia, Lusaka.
Sightseeing in Tanzania: things to see
It’s simply impossible to fail to visit Kilimanjaro National Park during your stay in Tanzania. The park is located not far away from Moshi and covers Mount Kilimanjaro and surrounding area. The mount with its height of 5,895 metres is the highest peak in Africa. It is also known as the highest “free-standing” mountain in the world and one of the most easily walkable mountains. If mountains are not your cup of tea, visit Lake Tanganyika, the longest and the 2nd deepest lake in the world. The majority of culture landmarks are located in Dar es Salaam, the biggest city and the former capital of the country.
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