Dar es Salaam & Coast, Tanzania

The port of Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s largest city, a gateway to the southern game reserves, to Zanzibar and to the ancient Swahili settlements along the coast. Although the city's beaches are nice to look at, those staying any longer than a day will probably want to head somewhere more secluded.

Swahili culture is a heady mix of Arab, Indian and African origin with a dual focus on the trade winds on the ocean and the religion of Islam. About an hour north of Dar es Salaam is the world heritage site of Bagamoyo, Tanzania’s oldest town. In the 19th century, the fishing harbour became the final mainland stop for the ivory traders and slave caravans from the interior. The prosperous trading centre was then the starting point of various European explorations, including those of Livingstone, Burton, Speke and Stanley. Bagamoyo then became the colonial capital of German East Africa before declining back into obscurity and decay during the 20th century. There are numerous ruins, a museum and a mosque dating back to the 12th century. The place to stay is a private island just offshore.

South of Dar es Salaam are several palm-lined sandy beaches fairly close to the city. But the nicest is 30km further at Ras Kuatani. Here there is a white swathe of sand, riding stables nearby, mangroves to potter around by kayak and indigenous woodland, home to colobos monkeys and plenty of birds. There are two lodges here, each with a very different style and ambience.

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