TH101 - A half day trip - city tour of dar es salaam

Raised from the humble surroundings of a Fishing Village just over a century ago, Dar Es Salaam blossomed into one of the most beautiful sea-side capitals. Many beautiful and unspoilt beaches are within easy reach of Dar Es Salaam, literally translated as "The Heaven of Peace". Our most popular excursion in the city for tourists in transit enroute to the game parks of the North or South, or for Business clients with some leisure time, is the half day Dar Es Salaam City Tour.

Here is a sample of the sights and sounds you will experience during the tour:

MNAZI MOJA PARK

This is near Jamhuri and Uhuru Streets. On one side is seen the Uhuru Torch Monument erected to symbolise the Freedom Torch placed at the peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro upon Tanzania's attainment of independence. On the other side of the park is the Republic Fountain which commemorated the foundation of the republic in 1962.

KARIAKOO MARKET

This beautiful main market has an interesting local colour and a diversity of peoples as well as exotic fruits, fresh fish, food products, handicrafts, local textile material and many other locally made products. The market's colour, charm and character makes it a must for every visitor.

UNIVERSITY

The University is superbly laid out amidst lawns and gardens on the Ubungo Observation Hill, some 14 kms. Away from the city. The hill offers magnificent open view of Dar Es Salaam city. The main campus area is built on three low hills, well wooded with cashew trees.

VILLAGE MUSEUM

This is 10 kms. Along Bagamoyo Road and has a collection of authentically constructed traditional houses of various Tanzanian tribes. It displays several distinct architectural styles with building materials ranging from sand, grass and poles to mud and rock. Villagers demonstrate their ancient skills of carving and weaving and offer their products for sale.

HOUSE OF CRAFTS (NYUMBA YA SANAA)

Near the heart of Dar Es Salaam there is a unique centre for creating and selling Tanzanian arts and crafts. Many of the artists working here have developed their talents through training which enable them to transform traditional materials, designs and motifs into contemporary forms. At 'Nyumba ya Sanaa', one finds many exciting creative activities to become absorbed in like painting, drawing, figurative wax batik and etching. Carvings of ebony are made as well as jewellery, ceramics and 'tie-and-dye' dresses for men, women and children.

NATIONAL MUSEUM

The outstanding attraction is the Hall of Man where Dr. Leakey's finds from Olduvai Gorge including the skull of Nutcrackerman (Zinjanthropus bosei) and other human fossils are displayed. The Museum offers an outstanding ethnographic collection of tribal ornaments, head-dresses, witch-craft paraphernalia and traditional musical instruments collected from various regions in Tanzania. Also, the history of the East African Coast is well portrayed with Chinese porcelain glazed pottery, trade wide beads from India and a series of copper coins from the Sultan of Kilwa.

STATE HOUSE

The State House accommodates the offices of the President. It has an ornate structure reflecting a blend of African and Arabic architecture, partly built on the foundation of the old German Palace in 1922.