African charm by the sea
Often when we think of visiting Tanzania, we do it imagining the perpetual snows of the Kilimanjaro , the roof of Africa and one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Or in the herds of wildebeest, elephants and giraffes touring the Serengeti. Or on the paradisiacal beaches of ** Zanzibar .**
However, Tanzania hides other places to get lost, such as Dar es Salaam, the largest and busiest of its cities.
“ Don't be in a hurry to get there. Never take a shortcut." These verses, a proper version of an M-Clan hit, should get tattooed in the skin of each traveler. Because is there anything better to discover a place than get lost in it ?
That is what we will do in this city, located in a bay of calm waters of the Indian
There, the architecture mixes the British and Germanic colonial heritage with East African constructions and influences arabs and indians, a diversity that is also transferred to its gastronomy and its people: Dar es Salaam is undoubtedly the most multicultural from Tanzania and probably from the entire coastal region.
Colonial architecture
DAR IS SALAAM, THE PERFECT STARTING POINT
Although, too often, haste erases the city from our plans, the truth is that it is worth finding a place for it both before and after going to Zanzibar, from which Dar Es Salaam is the perfect starting point.
In fact, towards the island of the turquoise beaches ferries four times a day in every way: rapid Starting at $35, it only takes two hours. However, if what you have left is time and not money, every noon a slow ferry (20 dollars and a little over three hours of travel), whose tickets are sold in the yellow booth of the terminal.
To go to Arusha , the city that serves as a base camp to visit the northern natural parks (including the Serengeti ) or raise the Kilimanjaro, there are direct flights for around 70 euros and buses for just under 15 euros: unlike what happens in other African countries, traveling by bus in Tanzania It is safe (the roads are good), although nobody is going to save you from the eight or ten hours of travel.
There is also the option of flying to the Kilimanjaro International Airport , about 45 minutes and 10 dollars from Arusha, with FastJet , for just over $35.
THE SECRETS OF DAR ES SALAAM
The first big decision when arriving in Dar es Salaam is to find where to stay. the neighborhood of Kariakoo , a 20-minute walk from the ferry station and the city center, is the option more economical , plus the best way to approach the daily life in the big city of Tanzania.
It is also possible to walk to the fish market kivukoni , one of the most impressive markets in the entire African Indian Ocean coastline: at dawn, shortly after 06:00, local fishermen begin to arrive to sell their fresh products.
Although we probably do not understand anything, the bidding between merchants and fishermen is in itself a fascinating show . The more daring can also bid for a red snapper or some seafood. Of course, it is advisable to do it when the influx of buyers and visitors has already dropped. for that of trade calmly...
For the luckier pockets, the seaside neighborhood of Masaki is the ideal option: beach, music, restaurants . It's here around the bay Msasani , where the concentration sweet life from the city.
First, during the day, in the area's sandbanks: from coconut beach to the small coralline coves where you can only swim at high tide. At sunset, on the terraces and restaurants of the bay.
Dar es salaam fish market
Hidden behind the neon lights of the **Slipway** shopping center, the boats leave for one of the most wonderful corners that Dar es Salaam hides: the island of bongoyo.
Integrated into the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve along with six other small islets, Bongoyo is a scaled-down reproduction of Zanzibar: its same turquoise waters, its same underwater wealth...
A paradise for lovers of snorkeling and for those of the dolce far niente. spend the day in a paradise beach under a palm umbrella with a cold beer. That's Bongo.
The coast of Dar es Salaam hides other treasures, such as the ruins of a defense post advance of the Germans, the hawksbill turtle spawning or the very rare coconut crab , a unique species found on the island of Mbudya.
All are compelling reasons to dedicate part of our vacation to the city.
Bongoyo, a little Eden
TRAVELER TIP
If we take the last of the ferries that brings us back to Dar es Salaam, we will probably be surprised by one of the most spectacular sunsets that we have met: we will witness a sea of colors dissolving over the skyline, one of the essential photographs What to take from this trip.
And when you set foot on land, there's even more: what better than enjoying a seafood barbecue in Karambezi Cafe or a sushi in Thai Kani while the sun finishes staining the horizon?
An unforgettable sunset