Things to do in Dar es Salaam
Bid for the catch of the day at Kivukoni Fish Market
For one of the most immersive experiences in Dar Es Salaam, head to the Kivukoni Fish Market on Ocean Road at dawn to see the fisherman draw in their catches and auctioneers sell them off. It's hectic, noisy and can sometimes get a little rowdy, but you'll get no fresher fish anywhere in the city.
Get the bends with a yoga class
Satya Renee Bangoy (tel: +255 754 666 010; https://yogaindar.wordpress.com/about-2/) is an India-trained, Philippines native who holds daily yoga sessions around Dar Es Salaam that are planned specifically for those passing through the city. The classes also support a local healthcare centre.
Go diving along Jangwani Beach
While die-hard divers typically head to Zanzibar or Mafia Island, there is still much to see in the waters directly off Dar Es Salaam. Located at Jangwani Beach, 25km (15.5 miles) from the city, Sea Breeze Marine (tel: +255 754 783 241; www.seabreezemarine.org) run courses from beginner to advanced levels with plenty of marine life and sunken hulls to encounter along the reef.
Head out on a bird safari
Forget Tanzania's big game, there is stunning wildlife to be seen closer to Dar Es Salaam. Local birdlife is varied and Andrew Majembe (tel: +255 784 490 399; www.darbirdwatching.blogspot.com) offers six, half-day tours around different sites in Dar, taking in both forests and flamingo-filled coastal swamps. Be sure to book in advance.
Watch a wood carver in action
Located near the Village Museum, Mwenge Carvers' Market is a colourful cacophony of over 200 wood carvers who sit and whittle everything from traditional Doei masks to wooden fish. Prepare to slip on your haggling gloves here, as the locals will hike the price a little/lot.
