Dar es Salaam, a major city and commercial port on Tanzania’s Indian Ocean coast, grew from a fishing village. It was founded in 1862 by Sultan Seyyid Majid of Zanzibar on the site of the village of Mzizima. With its great atmosphere, mix of African, Muslim, and South Asian influences, picturesque harbour, beaches, chaotic markets, and historic buildings, it is well worth extending your stay beyond the time between flights.

Present day Dar es Salaam's origins have been influenced by a myriad of sultans, the Germans and the British. The city started as a fishing village in the mid 19th century, is now Tanzania's largest city, and has become one of East Africa’s most important ports and trading centers.