10 Family things to do
10 Family-Fun Weekend Activities In Tanzania
Although the week will keep your family busy with school, work and settling into life in a new place, when the weekend comes, it can be a great time to explore the beauty that Dar es Salaam has to offer.
Tanzania is known for its breathtaking landscape and diverse animal population. According to the Tanzanian Tourist Board, Tanzania has more wild animals per square kilometer than any other country in Africa, why not take a trip into the wild with a local safari?
With regards to the same source, Tanzania also contains more surface water than any other country, which is perfect if your family enjoys a beautiful beach day. Dar es Salaam is no exception to what you would expect in Tanzania’s largest city. Dar, known for its beautiful harbor and nearby beaches, also has a rich history. If you wander the downtown core, you will be surrounded by museums, historical landmarks and countless restaurants as this is an urban hub.
There is lots of exploring to be done, but we wanted to give you a clear and easy-to-follow list of 10 fun things to do in Tanzania, so you and your family can get right into experiencing your new home.
1. Explore The Authentic And Tribal Homes At The Village Museum
With a more hands-on approach, the Village Museum offers families a glimpse at traditional Tanzanian homes. Each home contains historical items, and villagers show guests how to weave, make pottery and do carvings, an irreplaceable experience for any family.
3. Spend a day at Kigamboni Beach
On the topic of cooling down in the rather hot city of Dar es Salaam, why not take your family to the picturesque Kigamboni Beach Lay back in the soft, white sand with a book under an umbrella, while you watch your children frolic in the water. Kigamboni Beach is also a great place for authentic and delicious street food.
5. Cool Off At Kunduchi Wet-N-Wild Water Park
It’s no secret that Dar es Salaam’s heat is sweltering. Cool off and have a family fun day at Kunduchi Wet-n-Wild Water Park. This is the largest water park in East and Central Africa, so there are lots of play areas, slides and pools for you and your children to explore.
7. Enjoy comfort food around Dar es salaam
Moving to a new home in a new country can be scary for everyone in the family. What better way to feel at home than with delightful comfort food. Here is a list of some of the best restaurants around Dar es salaam, Zuane, Waterfront, Karambezi cafe, Mamboz Grill, Samakisamaki Bellanapoli, Choma hut, Great wall chinese restaurant
9. Explore Africa’s Wildlife On A Safari
Why not take full advantage of being in this part of the world and go on a safari? These are an exceptional way for you and your family to completely immerse yourselves in the wild and see these beautiful, wild animals in their natural habitat. Take a trip to Mikumi, Manyara, Ngorongoro, Selous or Serengeti National Parks to experience the most amazing safaris!
2. Explore Bagamoyo town
The town of Bagamoyo was one of the most important trading ports on the East African coast and the penultimate stop of slave and ivory caravans travelling on foot from Lake Tanganyika on their way to Zanzibar. Missionaries active in abolishing the slave trade made Bagamoyo, whose name means ‘bury my heart’ in Kiswahili, a centre for their activities.
4. Take a trip to Mbudya island or bongoyo island.
Take a ferry ride to paradise on the indian ocean and discover yourself surrounded by pristine white-sand beaches and shimmering turquoise waters on an idyllic island paradise. Just a 15-30-minute boat ride from the busy cityscape of Dar es Salaam will take you to Mbudya Island or Bongoyo Island. Explore underwater worlds on a snorkeling trip, go for a swim, or soak up the sun. . Take along a picnic or treat yourself to freshly caught seafood and refreshing beverages, accompanied by the soothing sounds of the ocean. There are many ways to have a great time at this popular day-trip destination.
6. Learn How To Sail Dar Es Salaam Yacht Club
The Dar es Salaam Yacht Club is one of the best places in the world to learn how to sail. To become a member, you have to be a watersport enthusiast - be it sailing, fishing, kayaking or diving. Once you and your family are members, you have access to beautiful, exclusive beaches. Many families you meet in the school community will also be members of the club and spend a lot of time here, which will be an outstanding way to make connections!
8. Hiking At Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Udzungwa Mountains National Park offers beautiful walks through the thick, green forest bordered by breathtaking waterfalls. One of the most popular hikes is the 170-meter Sanje Waterfall hike, but prepare lots of snacks and water as this will take half a day to complete. To make this walk even more remarkable, monkeys, rare birds and beautiful butterflies frequently make appearances along the trail.
10. Explore The Breathtaking And Historical Zanzibar
A short plane or ferry trip away, Zanzibar is a tropical paradise and makes for the perfect weekend getaway. Known for its soft, white sand and turquoise water, Zanzibar is worth the trip and a must-see now that you’re in Dar es Salaam.
These are just 10 suggestions of family-fun activities for the weekend, but there are so many things to do. An excellent way to find more is to ask around and see what other families have experienced.
Still trying to figure out what school to enroll your children in? We have created a Guide to living in Dar that helps make this ominous process a little less daunting.
Dar es Salaam is a great place to call home, you just have to take the time to explore.
