Towns and Cities

Besides the obvious natural attractions Tanzania has to offer, the country’s towns and cities also make pleasant stops, with plenty to do and see. Many of Tanzania’s coastal cities were founded as port towns from which valuable goods were transported across the Indian Ocean by sailing dhows.

On the mainland, many inland towns were important rest stops for trade caravans on their way to Central Africa or Lake Victoria, or returning back to the East African coast. In the northern highlands, many small towns were founded by the Germans as centres for colonial administration and agriculture.

Today, Tanzania’s towns and cities still specialize in trade and agriculture, and are the centres of economic activities in their regions. Besides their obvious importance for the country’s local economy, the towns and cities of Tanzania have many historical and cultural sites of interest to visitors.

Dar es Salaam, the main city that most visitors will encounter and the arrival point for most visitors off their international flight.Dar is also the nearest location to the safari circuits in the South of the country, as well as being next door to Zanzibar.

In the North of Tanzania, the far more rural town of Arusha is the start point for most safaris to the North of the country. Both are fast-growing commercial centers, but each has its own character; Arusha maintains its fresh, rural face in the abundant and fertile plains at the foot of Kilimanjaro and Dar lurches forwards, incredibly fast-growing, traffic-filled and excited by the modern age, while traditional fishing dhows still dock at its bay and tradition markets thrive on the roadsides.

Popular Tourist Towns and Cities includes Arusha, Bagamoyo, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa, Karatu, Kigoma, Kilwa, Mbeya, Mikindani, Morogoro, Moshi, Mtwara, Musoma, Mwanza, Njombe, Pangani, Tabora, Tanga