On a high
Majestic Mount Kilimanjaro dominates the Tanzanian landscape, while Dar Es Salaam’s busy streets are bustling with goats, chickens, dust-shrouded safari cars, suit-clad office workers, and traders in colourful traditional dress.
WHAT TO SEE
Hit the trail
For the professional, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro will take five days, but will lead you through thick forests, alpine grasslands, desolate rock faces, and brilliant, white glaciers. In ‘Dar’, stroll among the peacocks in the Botanical Gardens (Samora Avenue). More conventional sightseeing options include the eccentric National Museum (Shaaban Robert Street; +255 222 122030).
WHERE TO SHOP
Picture this
Tingatinga paintings are witty, colourful representations of Tanzanian life and are on sale all over Dar. Boutiques selling tanzanite and silver jewellery fill the big shopping centres around Msasani Peninsula; the Mwenge crafts market is best for wood carvings. For an authentically Tanzanian shopping experience, browse through the bazaars and stalls in the town centre around Posta Street.
WHERE TO EAT
For all tastes
There’s communal Ethiopian fare of curried meat and vegetables on a base of spongy bread at Addis in Dar (Ursino 35; +255 741 266299). Indian restaurants in Upanga serve vegetarian dishes and no alcohol – Retreat (Mrima Street) is the best of the lot. Upmarket restaurants cluster on Msasani Peninsula, particularly in Namanga, where you’ll find Africa’s only Croatian restaurant, Simona (Kimweri Avenue).
HOW TO GET THERE
KLM operates one direct daily flight to Kilimanjaro Airport from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Flights continue on to Dar Es Salaam International Airport and return direct to Amsterdam.
Tourist information www.tanzaniatouristboard.com
Content provided by Frommer’s Unlimited © 2010, Whatsonwhen Limited.
DON’T MISS
Ferry nice
South Beach on Kigamboni Peninsula is popular with locals. Hop on the ferry from Kivukoni in Dar Es Salaam. A boat also shuttles between White Sands beach resort in Jambiani and Mbuja Island, where you can feast on fresh fish.
