Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city, was founded in 1866 by Sultan Seyyid Majid of Zanzibar on the site of an older settlement called Mzizima, taking its Arabic name meaning “Abode of Peace” or “Haven of Peace.” Though it lost its status as official capital to Dodoma in 1996, Dar es Salaam remains the country’s commercial and administrative centre, and its main gateway to the Indian Ocean.
The city at a glance
- Tanzania’s largest city, founded in 1866 by Sultan Seyyid Majid of Zanzibar
- Name means “Abode of Peace,” built on the site of the older settlement Mzizima
- Lost official capital status to Dodoma in 1996 but remains the commercial hub
- Handles the bulk of Tanzania’s manufacturing and port trade
Tanzania’s commercial engine
Dar es Salaam concentrates roughly half of Tanzania’s manufacturing employment despite holding only a tenth of the national population, and its natural harbour serves as the primary export outlet not just for Tanzania but for landlocked neighbours including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Zambia. Rail links to Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria extend the port’s reach deep into the East African interior.
A gateway rather than a destination in itself
Most visitors pass through Dar es Salaam en route to Zanzibar, the southern safari circuit, or the coast further south, rather than treating it as a standalone stop, though the city’s markets, waterfront and growing arts scene reward a short stay. Its position as Tanzania’s best-connected city makes it a practical hub for combining multiple regions of the country in one itinerary.
Things to do
- Exploring the city’s markets and waterfront
- Using Dar es Salaam as a transit hub to Zanzibar or the southern coast
- Visiting the National Museum for Tanzanian history and culture
Practical information
- Served by Julius Nyerere International Airport, Tanzania’s main international gateway
- A ferry connects Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar in around two hours
- Best treated as a connecting point rather than a multi-day destination
Dar es Salaam offers the most convenient way to connect Tanzania’s coast, islands and interior. Offmap Safaris can build it into a wider Tanzania itinerary. To start planning, visit Plan My African Safari, message us on WhatsApp at +256 701 243 304, or email [email protected]. See also our notes on health and safety and responsible travel.