Things to do in Dar Es Salaam
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Chef’s Pride
This long-standing and popular local eatery is within easy walking distance of the Kisutu budget hotels, and a Dar es Salaam classic, offering a slice of local life. The large menu features standard fare, plus pizza, Indian and vegetarian dishes, and even some Chinese cuisine.
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City Garden
A lunch buffet (Tsh8500; Monday to Friday) and à la carte dining, featuring standards such as grilled fish/chicken and rice. There’s a shady outdoor seating area, and it’s one of the few places in the city centre open on Sunday.
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Sea Breeze Marine
Diving around the coral gardens near Bongoyo and Mbudya islands, and diving certification courses (PADI), can be arranged year-round at the long-standing Sea Breeze Marine next to White Sands Hotel.
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Sea Cliff Village
A small and frequently changing selection of eateries, including Épi d’Or bakery, a pizzeria, a juice bar and Msumbi Coffee House, with great coffees.
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Addis in Dar
Offers a mouth-watering selection of Ethiopian dishes, including a range of vegetarian selections. It’s signposted off Mgombani St.
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Nyumba ya Sanaa
A small, informal eatery located in the Nyumba ya Sanaa crafts centre, serving plates of chicken and chips and other local fare.
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Alcove
Dark, heavy décor and tasty Indian and Chinese cuisine, including vegetarian dishes.
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National Museum
The National Museum houses the famous fossil discoveries of zinjanthropus (nutcracker man) from Olduvai Gorge, plus some scattered but intriguing displays on numerous other topics, including the Shirazi civilisation of Kilwa, the Zanzibar slave trade, and the German and British colonial periods. For aficionados of vintage autos, there’s a small special collection in the plaza between the main buildings, including the Rolls Royce used first by the British colonial government and later by Julius Nyerere, and the original East African Community Mercedes Benz. In the back building are a couple of old wooden bicycles – one of which uses no metal at all. The museum is near the …
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St Joseph’s Cathedral
The spired cathedral, which is still in use – stop by any Sunday morning to see the standing-room only overflow from the services and hear the singing – was built at the same time as the Lutheran church, also by German missionaries. In addition to the striking stained-glass windows behind the main altar (best viewed late in the afternoon), it still contains many of the original German inscriptions and artwork, including the carved relief above the main altar.
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Kunduchi Ruins
Just north of Kunduchi Wet 'n' Wild are the overgrown Kunduchi ruins which include the remnants of a late 15th-century mosque as well as Arabic graves from the 18th or 19th centuries, with some well-preserved pillar tombs. Fragments of Chinese pottery found here testify to ancient trading links between this part of Africa and the Orient. Arrange a guide with your hotel - it's not safe to walk on your own to the ruins, as there have been muggings.
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81 Steps
A new rooftop place at the Peninsula Seaview Hotel with sunset views over the water, cushions and throw pillows on the floor, and a set five-course menu (for maximum 16 guests) featuring Tanzanian-Arabian-Moroccan fusion cuisine (no forks – everything’s eaten African or Middle Eastern style). Advance bookings are highly recommended. Seating and traditional-style hand washing starts at 7.30pm and the meal itself commences at 8pm.
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Village Museum
The centrepiece of the open-air Village Museum is a collection of authentically constructed dwellings illustrating traditional life in various parts of Tanzania. There are Ngoma (drumming and dancing) performances from 4pm to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday, plus occasional special afternoon programmes highlighting the dances of individual tribes.
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Azania Front Lutheran Church
A striking edifice, with a red-roofed belfry overlooking the water and a rather stern Gothic interior, this is one of the city’s major landmarks. The church was built at the turn of the 20th century by German missionaries and is still in active use for services and for choir rehearsals (beautiful – you can sometimes hear the singing from the street).
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East Africa Family Safari Southbound
17 days (ex Nairobi)
by Intrepid
Get up close to giraffes in Nairobi, Travel through the land of the Maasai people, Search for the Big Five on safari in the Serengeti, Explore an extinct volcan…Not LP reviewed
from USD$3,260 -
Mwenge Carvers’ Market
This market, opposite the Village Museum, and just off New Bagamoyo Rd, is packed with vendors, and you can watch carvers at work. Take the Mwenge dalla-dalla from New Posta transport stand to the end of the route, from where it’s five minutes on foot down the small street to the left.
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Forodhani Hotel Training Institute Building
Just up from the old Kilimanjaro Hotel (now the Kilimanjaro Kempinski) is the old Forodhani Hotel Training Institute building. It currently houses the Appeals Court, but enjoyed its heyday during the British era as the Dar es Salaam Club, when Evelyn Waugh would stop in on occasion for a drink.
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Kunduchi Wet ‘N’ Wild
This large and crowded place next to Kunduchi Beach Hotel & Resort has several pools, water slides, video arcades, a small playground, an adjoining go-kart track and a restaurant. Although the complex opens at 9am, the slides and pools usually don’t get going until closer to 10am.
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Ocean Rd Hospital
Built in 1897 and no longer operational, but appealing architecturally, with its Moorish influences. The small, white, domed building just before the hospital is where Robert Koch carried out his pioneering research on malaria and tuberculosis around the turn of the 20th century.
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Karimjee Hall
Now closed to the public, this stately white building was the former house of parliament before the legislature was relocated to Dodoma, and is where Julius Nyerere was sworn in as president. Today it is used for parliamentary committee meetings and political functions.
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Zanzibar To Victoria Falls
19 days (ex Dar es Salaam)
by Intrepid
Try the legendary Dabaga chilli sauce in Iringa, Travel through the vast, rolling African plains, Witness the awesome power of Victoria Falls, Canoe down the ge…Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,160 Advertisement
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Oriental
Considered by some connoisseurs to be the best restaurant in town, with excellent sushi and Asian fusion cuisine, and an ambience that’s as optimal for business lunches as it is for a romantic evening out.
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Fish Market
For a gentle initiation into Dar es Salaam’s markets, head to the fish market, near Kivukoni Front. It’s fairly calm as urban markets go, and you can watch fish auctions.
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Kivukoni Front
The city's waterfront, sometimes also called Azania Front, is lined with government buildings, all dating to the German era. Opposite is a colourful assortment of street-side vendors and ageing boats.
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Road To Zanzibar
14 days (ex Nairobi)
by Intrepid
Mingle with the Chagga people, Lose yourself in Tanzania's secluded Usambara Mountains, Roam fragrant spice plantations, Relax on sun-kissed beaches in Zanzibar…Not LP reviewed
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Garden Bistro
Garden Bistro is a relaxed restaurant-nightclub featuring Indian dishes and grills downstairs, continental cuisine upstairs, a sheesha (waterpipe) lounge and sports bar.
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