Dar es Salaam City Tour: Private Guide Lunch Included

Nine stops through Dar es Salaam's markets, museums and waterfront in one day

A full-day private Dar es Salaam city tour with English-speaking guide and hotel pickup covers the Kivukoni fish market, Azania Front Church, St Joseph Cathedral, the National Museum, Kariakoo Market, Makumbusho Village Museum, and the Mwenge carvers market, ending with lunch at Mlimani City mall. The tour includes private transportation, bottled water and lunch. Children from age 4 are welcome. The itinerary can be customized to suit your interests.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day Dar es Salaam city tour

• Pick up from hotel at 8am
• Visit Kivukoni fish market
• Walk via waterfront to Azania front church
• Drive to DARCH, see St Joseph Cathedral
• Walk to National Museum, see Askari Monument
• Drive to Kariakoo Market
• Visit Kariakoo Market
• Drive to Makumbusho Village Museum
• Visit Makumbusho Village Museum
• Visit Mwenge Carvers Market
• Lunch at Mlimani City Mall
• Drive back via Coco Beach to hotel

The experience

The tour starts at 8am with pickup from your hotel and heads straight to Kivukoni fish market, one of Tanzania's largest, where you'll spend 30 to 45 minutes watching fishermen at work and learning how the daily catch moves through the market. From there you walk along the waterfront to Azania Front Church, then drive to DARCH to explore the area around St Joseph Cathedral. The National Museum comes next, with 30 minutes inside. On the way you'll pass the Askari Monument, and the nearby Botanical Gardens are pointed out though the operator notes they're not well maintained.

Kariakoo Market is the centerpiece stop, lasting about an hour and a half. It's the largest market in East Africa, and the operator warns you'll encounter thousands of people a day: local entrepreneurs, small traders and shoppers all moving through the stalls. The crowds are part of the experience. Vendors are friendly and will greet you with "Habari" or "Mambo" (both meaning "how are things"), and the standard answer back is "Poa" (everything is cool). After Kariakoo you move on to Makumbusho Village Museum for 45 minutes, then to the Mwenge carvers market for 30 to 45 minutes, where local artisans sell their work. Lunch happens at Mlimani City, Tanzania's largest mall, where you can choose from international restaurants or local food and do quick shopping if needed.

The return to your hotel takes you past Coco Beach, one of Dar es Salaam's popular local beaches. Your guide speaks English and travels with you in a private, comfortable vehicle throughout the day. The tour can be adjusted based on what interests you most, and the operator welcomes requests to shape the itinerary to your preferences.

What’s included

• Private transportation in a comfortable vehicle.
• English-speaking guide for the full day.
• bottled water.
• lunch at Mlimani City mall with a choice of international or local restaurants.
• hotel pickup and return.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Safaris Partners

Is this one for you?The tour runs a full nine hours with multiple stops and walking between sites, so it suits travelers who are comfortable with a structured day and don't mind spending time on their feet at busy markets. The fixed itinerary moves through all the major stops, but you can request changes to focus on what interests you most.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 10 years). Under 4: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Kivukoni fish market like, and how much time do you spend there?

Kivukoni is one of Tanzania's largest fish markets, where you'll see fishermen at work and learn about their daily life and how the catch is traded. You spend 30 to 45 minutes here at the start of the tour.

Is Kariakoo Market crowded, and what should I expect when I go there?

Yes, Kariakoo is the largest market in East Africa and sees thousands of visitors daily. You'll encounter local entrepreneurs and traders, mostly friendly and eager to chat. The market has almost everything you could want, and vendors will greet you warmly. You spend about an hour and a half here.

What's included in the tour price, and what do I need to arrange myself?

The tour includes private transportation, bottled water, and lunch at Mlimani City mall. Hotel pickup is included. You'll need to arrange your own breakfast before the 8am start.

Can the itinerary be changed if there's something I'd rather see or skip?

Yes. The operator says the tour can be customized based on your wishes and expectations, and they're open to hearing what would make your Tanzania trip unforgettable.

What happens on the way back to the hotel?

The return route passes Coco Beach, one of Dar es Salaam's popular local beaches, so you get a glimpse of the waterfront before heading back to your accommodation.