Experience in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania by FLORENCE

What is it like to live in Dar Es Salaam? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

It is nice to live in Dar es Salaam. I would really recommend it. The city is generally big, wide, somehow densely populated with approximately 5.5 million inhabitants (2017 approximations).
Dar es Salaam is one of the biggest cities in East Africa, situated along the East African Coast (along the Indian Ocean).
Evaluating the beauty of Dar es Salaam depends on the attitude and point of view from which a person makes a description. It depends on the part of the city where one finds himself. There are really very beautiful, calm, accessible and very developed areas on one hand;on the other there are areas full of noise,heavy traffic, poorly designed and developed. Moreover, some areas such as city centre may be expensive.Various areas may for renting may be searched online.You will never miss a good and standard house in Dar Salaam.
Whether is generally normal with both rain and sunshine almost throughout the year; and sometimes with considerably hot sun periods.
Transport means are good to and from all city directions with buses (daladalas),fast buses (express),trains, taxis, Bhajajis and motocycles.

Public universities found in the city are: University of Dar es Salaam, Open University of Tanzania, Ardhi University and Muhimbili University of Health & Allied Sciences.

Private universities are: Hubert Kairuki Memorial University, International Medical and Technological University, University of Bagamoyo, St. Joseph University in Tanzania, United African University of Tanzania and Aga Khan University.

There is also a good number of university colleges and campuses of other universities (native and foreign). Dar es Salaam University College of Education, Tumaini University Makumira (Dar es Salaam College), Kampala International University (Dar es Salaam Constituent College), St. Joseph University College of Health and Allied Sciences, Mzumbe University Dar es Salaam Campus, St. Augustine University of Tanzania (Dar es Salaam Centre), St. John’s University of Tanzania (St. Mark’s Dar es Salaam Centre) and Teofilo Kisanji University (Dar es Salaam Centre).

What is the student lifestyle like in Dar Es Salaam?

Apart from their academic pursuits, students in Dar es Salaam participate in a variety of optional activities: such as sports, entertainment, religious services, part-time services (employments), forums, clubs, community service, and entrepreneurship, partnership etc. It depends on one’s interests and ability to integrate such activities with academic life.
Some students live in hostels owned by the government or by private institutions, while others personally rent rooms or apartments. Each lives according to his/her economic capacity and ease of pursuing his/her goals.
Students’ transport depends on the part of the city where one finds residence and on ease to reach one’s university. Generally students reach their universities by: walking, cycling, buses, trains, bhajajis and motocycles; rarely by taxis.
In most cases students depend on themselves as far as meals are concerned. Every university has a students’ canteen. Students can pay (annually or less) and obtain cards that will enable them to have meals in the canteen (especially lunch). Moreover, around every university and allover in the city there are a lot of restaurants at the service of students.
Generally students’ life is very simple because most of Tanzanian students (on their family backgrounds) are not economically high ranked.

How much does it cost to live in Dar Es Salaam?

Life in Dar es Salaam is cheaper compared to that in European cities. For example 1 euro is around 2500Tsh. With 2 euros a person is sure of having lunch, a soft drink and transport to and from the university. Generally life is more than 20 times less expensive than life in Europe.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Dar Es Salaam? Is there any advice you can give?

One will never miss accommodation in Dar es Salaam. Only that one needs to be well connected in order to have a residence in a conducive area and at a fair price. Great care is needed to avoid fraud. One's state's embassy in Dar es Salaam can help or can direct to the trustworthy agencies for searching accommodation.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Tanzania is made up of not less than 120 tribes, each of which is rich with its cultural foods. Hundreds of these cultural foods are found in Dar es Salaam. The most common ones are: Ugali, pweza soup, senene, rice, bananas (Matoke), Nyama Choma, Mishkaki,potatoes (various types and modes of preparation), Indian Food, Zanzibari Mix, and many other local and foreign dishes served in various restaurants, and street cafes.

What places would you recommend visiting in Dar Es Salaam?

Nyerere Cultural Centre, Kariakoo Market, Dar Es Salaam Fish Market, the Sawasdee Restaurant for a great view of Dar Es Salaam and the harbor, the Askari Monument, the Azania Lutheran Church, the National Museum of Dar Es Salaam, Pugu Hills Nature Reserve, Coco Beach, Bagamoyo Town, Bongoyo Island, Jangwani and Mbuja Island, Kigamboni bridge and beach, Village Museum, Mwenge Wood Carvers’ Village, Tingatinga Art Center, Uhuru Street (for traditional dresses), Old Boma, St. Joseph's Cathedral, Botanical Gardens, State House (Magogoni).

Is it good to eat out in Dar Es Salaam? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Surely it is good. There are many good and safe restaurants in all corners of the city. You can be served with your choice of food or drink. There some international centres where you will never miss your cultural food, and they are cheap; and friends may even introduce to more, yet cheaper centres. Some of them are: 305 Karafuu, Mediterraneo, Karambezi Cafe, Samaki Samaki, Sawasdee, George & Dragon, Southern Sun Restaurants and Bars, Chapan Bhog, Oriental, Addis in Dar, Mamboz Corner BBQ, Épi d’Or, Ristorante Bella Napoli, Patel Samaj, Waterfront, Al Basha, Chef’s Pride, YMCA, Food Lover's Supermarket, Zuane Trattoria & Pizzeria, Le Bistrot, Barbecue House, ex-Holiday Out, Black Tomato, Msasani Slipway, Grace Shop, Terrace, Jackie’s, Rohobot, City Garden, Delhi Darbar, Kibo Bar, Ali's, Village Supermarket, Shopper’s Supermarket, Azuma etc.

Is the nightlife good in Dar Es Salaam? Where is good to go?

There is a famous saying "Dar by night" which implies a lot. Primarily it implies that the beauty of life in Dar is well enjoyed at night. I depends on your choices: theaters, disco halls, night clubs, music concerts and live bongo music performances; night beaches, pubs, restaurants, bars, exhibitions etc. You will never miss your choice according to your interests. "Dar at night" is always a feast.

On the other hand, at night you need to be in a good company for your security and you need to be even more careful than you do during the day.You may go to Mlimani City,The Royal Chloe Social Club, Club Billycaners, the Maisha Club, Level 8, Runway, Jolly Club, and California Dreamer, Alliance Française, Village Museum, Kigamboni Community Centre, Waterfront, Akberali Tea Room, George & Dragon, Triniti Bar & Restaurant, Q Bar, Bahari Beach,Africa Sana, many of the restaurants and bars mentioned in the above box etc.

What advice would you give future students heading to Dar Es Salaam?

A student who plans to study in Dar es Salaam will find a nice environment for his studies if he/she really means it "to study" in this city "the coast of peace". Some useful advice to take seriously:
1. Make friends: this is very important because if you stay closed, you cannon enjoy the stay. Friends will make you to know various parts of the city and to have many beautiful experiences.
2. Make a good choice of friends: You cannot trust every person because not all are trustworthy (just as it is everywhere in the world). At the beginning you will have to make a good discernment in order to chose friends who will be sincere to you.
3. Be careful and wise: This is required whenever you enter the foreign environment or city especially when you meet people you do not know, who may seek to help you (some may be only pretenders)
4. Find a place of residence in calm areas and where you will find ease transport to your university. Some areas may be very chaotic or may have heavy traffic jams.
5. Know your goal, hold your status as a student: Some students do forget their goals and get involved in other activities which may render their studies difficult (such as prostitution, over spending in pleasures etc.).