Dar es Salaam is the largest city in East Africa, it is the commercial and industrial zone for Tanzania and has an extremely busy trade port.  Many visitors to Tanzania arrive and depart via Dar es Salaam airport and quickly move off to start their safari.  However, Dar es Salaam is an interesting city and there are ample attractions to keep you amused if you decide you would like to spend a couple of days either at the start or end of your trip.

Kariakoo market has been cited for many years as a ‘must see’ in Dar es Salaam with the variety of goods on offer and it's size making it a feast for the eyes!  Whilst a visit is still recommended, it has changed somewhat in recent years as the traditional African traders are increasingly being joined by Chinese sellers, who offer cheap imported goods.  The market is vast and sells everything from fruit and vegetables, meat and coffee, through to handicrafts, textiles, electrical goods, and sunglasses and everything in between.  

The city has a number of cultural attractions on offer including museums and botanic gardens.  There are also a vast number of souvenir shops and shopping centres where it is possible to pick up a kanga or a tingatinga painting to remind of your time in Tanzania.