The haven of peace “Dar Es Salaam

The haven of peace

“Dar Es Salaam”

Tanzania’s bustling capital

Although Dodoma, in the middle of the country, is Tanzania͛s designated capital city, Dar es Salaam remains Tanzania͛s social and commercial heart, as the country͛s largest and richest city.It is one of the largest cities in East Africa by population, as well as a regionally important economic centre. Located on the Swahili coast, the city is one of the fastest growing cities in the world.

Kver the last century, Dar es Salaam has transformed from a sleepy aramo fishing village into a thriving metropolis of over four million people ;and growingͿ. Straddling some of the most important sea routes in the world, it is East Africa͛s second-busiest port and Tanzania͛s commercial hub.

The city is a melting pot of cultural influences, Arab, Indian, German and British influences can be found in

ar es salaam means ͚haven of peace’. The name was bestowed on the city during the Ɵme of ^ultan ^eyyid Dajid, who chose the sleeping Įshing village of aramo to have his summer palace, andur ul ^alaam, the palace of peace. The village thrived and grew under the ^ultan’s presence, becoming a centre of trade for ivory and slaves and transforming over Ɵme into the bustling city of ar es salaam.

the city͛s architecture. Sikhs, Muslims, ,indus and Christians coexist peacefully, with the wail of the azan blending with the sound of church bells in the mornings. Down at Kariakoo, Chinese electronics jostle with chickens in the market, cheerful Tingatinga paintings are stacked next to folded piles of khangas and kitenges, traditional medicines sit alongside neat pyramids of fruit and vegetables as shopkeepers hawk their wares.

sisitors to Dar es Salaam are well catered for, with a choice of accommodation for all budgets, from backpacker hostels to five star hotels. For the business traveler, there are a number of hotels boasting world-class conference facilities. There͛s a mind boggling range of restaurants offering Thai, Indian, Italian, :apanese, Turkish Cuisine Ethiopian cuisine and more. Of course, you can also find local restaurants serving chipsi, ugali and nyama choma, freshly grilled meat.

If you are a street foodie you can try the Mishkakis ;grilled beef of chicken skewersͿ and fried Mohogo ;tapiocaͿ dipped in spicy chili sauce sold at the street kiosks at the Oysterbay Beach located on the peninsula.

Tanzania͛s best and most inventive musicians are showcased in May at the B-Connected Festival in Mnazi Mmoja Grounds. For film lovers, November sees Dar host the annual Euro African Film Festival.

For the art and history aficionados, the Nyumba ya Sanaa ;Nyerere Cultural CentreͿ exhibits art and handicraŌs throughout the year and gives visitors the chance to take part in workshops on painting, batik home to Kunduchi wet ͚n͛ Wild, East Africa͛s largest water park, with go-karting, quad-biking, waterskiing and slides, it is ideal for a day out with the family. Visitors could cross over to Kigamboni by a 10 minutes͛ ferry ride or by a ϮϬ minutes͛through road crossing one of the beautiful bridges and etching.

Beyond the museums, music and art found in the city centre, Dar has its own selection of spectacular beaches at Kunduchi, Mikadi, Mjimwema and :angwani. At jangwani, there͛s snorkeling and diving on offer, with the chance to see tuna, king fish and even white

The EaƟonal Duseum and otanical 'ardens are also another diverƟng way to spend a day, tracing the history of Tannjania, from prehistoric fossils through to the relics of colonialism.

tipped reef sharks. Kunduchi is called ͞The Nyerere bridge͟ where they spend the morning at the Waterpark or just relax and catch a tan at the popular Mikadi Beach.

Scratch beyond the surface in Dar es Salaam and you͛ll find it͛s a city rich in diversity and filled with character.

Picture Courtesy of 832 Productions & Moiz Hussein