Africa is famed for its fascinating market culture and in Dar es Salaam Kariakoo market is one of the best. Overtaking whole streets you can be jostled along with the crowds and admire the shaded stalls over spilling with bright fabrics and garments, handmade jewelry and a range of interesting artifacts that make the perfect souvenir. Be sure to explore the early morning catches down at the fish market, before dawn breaks across the water local fishermen will be hauling in the nets and getting ready to sell most of Dar es Salaam their supper. Mwenge Carvers Village is another great place to visit to find traditional hand carved goodies; from stunning paintings to hand crafted wooden ornaments it’s a great way of supporting the locals.
You can find a few really interesting museums within the city; from the National Museum depicting the cultural heritage of Tanzania to the dance shows at the Makumbusho Village Museum, there is so much to see and do when exploring the city.
Beach lovers will delight in an afternoon spent on the dazzling Coco Beach. Hordes of locals gather here to wade in the waters, snack on delicacies from the street vendors and catch some live music upon the soft sands. Whilst swimming and diving isn’t highly recommended inside the city you can catch a local bus to one of the nearby towns or sail across to Bongoyo Island to immerse yourself in the warm ripples of the shimmering Indian Ocean.