A warm welcome to awaits you at the spectacular Giraffe Ocean View Hotel. This magnificent ocean view hotel in 4 star Dar es Salaam beach hotel offers a tranquil environment. Giraffe Ocean View Hotel allows complete escape from the city noise to its habitat. This 4 star Dar es Salaam beach hotel invites you to discover its unique hospitality and refinement. Giraffe Ocean View Hotel boasts of vast expanse of the Indian Ocean along Mbezi beach, Dar es Salaam.
This 4 star Dar es Salaam hotel is about 25 kilometers from Mwalimu J.K. Nyerere international airport. Giraffe Ocean View Hotel is just 15 minutes drive from the city centre. This allows for ease of access when exploring on your Tanzania safari tour.
This 4 star Dar es Salaam beach hotel is a venture based on the concept of East African Tourism. Giraffe Ocean View hotel is a unique and exclusive ocean view hotel. This is a Dar es Salaam hotel of world class standard. The 4 star dare s Salaam beach hotel is equipped with full range of modern facilities. They include reliable wireless internet connectivity, satellite TV in rooms and much more. This 4 star dare s Salaam beach hotel also prides itself in exemplary personal service. This makes Giraffe Ocean view hotel the perfect place for conferences, wedding and Tanzania holidays.
Rooms at Giraffe Ocean View Hotel Dar es Salaam
Giraffe Ocean View hotel has 98 rooms in total. Of these, 54 are Executives and 4 Suites which overlook the blue Indian Ocean. This 4 star dare s Salaam beach hotel also has 40 Deluxe rooms. All the rooms at Giraffe Ocean View hotel are equipped with features of international standard. All Executive and Suite rooms have spacious living area, Jacuzzi and private balcony. Each room is air conditioned and comes with Internet facilities and Satellite TV. Also in the rooms is a mini-bar, Coffee maker and an electronic safe.
Deluxe Room
This is for Business travelers and families alike. These rooms at 4 star Dar es Salaam beach hotel enjoy the comfort afforded by the extra space. Meeting planners find the rooms an excellent complement to Giraffe Ocean View hotel’s world class Meeting & Events space.
Executive Room
Executive Rooms at Giraffe Ocean View Hotel feature a separate reception area. Here you will experience an even greater level of personalized service.
Suite Room
This room at 4 star dare s Salaam beach hotel allows you into a world of unparalleled hospitality. Here everybody strives to meet and exceed even your highest demands. It is a world where personalized service fit for royalty will make you feel so very welcome.
Cancellation / Prepayment
PAYMENT & RESERVATIONS POLICY Reservation and confirmation of a room at Giraffe Ocean View Hotel Dar es Salaam has requirements. Clients are required to pay 50% down payment for the requested services. The balance will be required at least 14 days prior to your date of arrival.
African Safari Tour will hold a reservation for up to seven days at a client's request. This is to allow the client time to send a deposit payment. This is if Giraffe Ocean View Hotel Dar es Salaam booking are over a month prior to the service. This must be received before we can confirm your booking. If confirmation is not received within the seven days all blocked rooms at Giraffe Ocean View Hotel Dar es Salaam will be automatically released for re-sale. The full amount of the service must be made within 14 days of date of arrival at Giraffe Ocean View Hotel Dar es Salaam. As for bookings within a month of service, full payment shall be requested for. This will be required before confirmation of Giraffe Ocean View Hotel Dar es Salaam is undertaken.
CANCELLATIONS All cancellations must be received in writing. This will take effect from the date received by African Safari Tour. The following cancellation charges will apply.
More than 56 days before departure: No cancellation fee 56-49 days before departure: 25% 48-29 days before departure: 35% 28-0 days before departure: 100%
The non-issuing of an invoice or non-payment of deposit will not exempt passengers from these cancellation and administration fees. We regret we can make no exception to the charges and strongly recommend that insurance is taken out to cover cancellation fees. These cancellation charges can vary subject to the trading terms of our suppliers.
Children and extra beds
Children older than 2 years are welcome at Giraffe Ocean View Hotel Dar es Salaam. One child from 2 to 11.9 years is charged 50 % of the room stay per night and person in an extra bed.
The maximum number of extra beds for children in a room is 2.
Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.
Stylish and individually designed room featuring a satellite TV, mini bar and a 24-hour room service menu.
We are sorry, this accommodation is not available to book at the moment
Facilities
Air Condition
Bar
Catering service
Desk
Fitness
Free toiletries
Laundry
Lounge
Minibar
Outdoor pool
Private bathroom
Restaurant
Room service
Telephone
TV
Wake up service
WiFi
Dar Es Salaam
Dar es Salaam was Tanzania's capital city. It is the commercial capital and the largest city in the country. Located in southern Tanzania on coast of the Indian Ocean, Dar is a bustling, chaotic place, filled with life and color.
Dar es Salaam is primarily a port city in southern Tanzania, located on a huge natural harbor. "Dar es Salaam" means "haven of peace", but you'll find with almost 3 million people calling the city home, it's not exactly tranquil. Dar es Salaam it is the economic heart of the country, the high rise business district buzzes with activity throughout the day. The government was officially moved to Dodoma in the center of Tanzania in the 1970's, but Dar es Salaam is the true capital and the central government by and large still operates from here.
Visitors to Dar es Salaam are usually en route to Tanzania's fantastic southern national parks including the Selous and Ruaha, or catching a ferry to the exotic Zanzibar archipelago. The best time to visit Dar es Salaam is during the dry season from June - October, otherwise temperatures can get very hot and humid (but you can always dip in the Ocean).
Dar es Salaam remains Tanzania's social and commercial heart, as the country's largest city and main port. Most travelers fly into and out of 'Dar', as it's always called. We'll often be able to arrange for you to connect straight through to your safari or beach lodge, but occasionally an overnight stop here is needed. Then visitors are often surprised how much they enjoy the place.
History of Dar es Salaam
In the 19th century, Mzizima (Swahili for "healthy town") was a coastal fishing village on the periphery of Indian Ocean trade routes. In 1865 or 1866, Sultan Majid bin Said of Zanzibar began building a new city very close to Mzizima and named it Dar es Salaam. The name is commonly translated as "abode/home of peace", based on the Arabic dar ("house"), and the Arabic es salaam ("of peace").
Dar es Salaam fell into decline after Majid's death in 1870, but was revived in 1887 when the German East Africa Company established a station there. The town's growth was facilitated by its role as the administrative and commercial centre of German East Africa and industrial expansion resulting from the construction of the Central Railway Line in the early 1900s.
German East Africa was captured by the British during World War I and became Tanganyika with Dar es Salaam remaining the administrative and commercial centre. Under British indirect rule, separate European (e.g., Oyster Bay) and African (e.g., Kariakoo and Ilala) areas developed at a distance from the city centre. The city's population also included a large number of workers from British India, many of whom came to take advantage of the trade and commercial opportunities presented to them. After World War II, Dar es Salaam experienced a period of rapid growth.
Political developments, including the formation and growth of the Tanganyika African National Union, led to Tanganyika attaining independence from colonial rule in December 1961. Dar es Salaam continued to serve as its capital, even when in 1964 Tanganyika and People's Republic of Zanzibar merged to form Tanzania. In 1973, however, provisions were made to relocate the capital to Dodoma, a more centrally located city in the interior. The relocation process has not yet been completed, and Dar es Salaam remains Tanzania's primary city.
In 1967, the Tanzanian government declared the Ujamaa policy, which set Tanzania into a socialist path. The move slowed down the potential growth of the city as the government encouraged people not to move in cities but stay in Ujamaa socialist villages. However, by the 1980s the Ujamaa policy proved to be a failure in combating increasing poverty and hunger that Tanzania faced, and delayed the development that it needed. This led to the 1980s liberalization policy that virtually ended socialism and its proponents within Tanzania's government.
Until the late 1990s, Dar es-Salaam was not put into the same category as Africa's leading cities like Nairobi, Johannesburg, Lagos, or Addis Ababa. The 2000s became the turning point when the city experienced one of Africa's fastest urbanization rates. Businesses were opened and prospered, growth expanded in the construction sector with new multi-story buildings, bridges and roads, Tanzanian banks headquartered in the city began to be run with better regulation, the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange expanded and the Dar es Salaam harbour continued to be the most important in Tanzania. The port is prominent for entrepot trade with landlocked countries like eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and Zambia. The CBD skyline hosts tall buildings, among them the 35-floor PSPF Tower, finished in 2015, and the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) Tower, currently under construction.
Where is Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam is a city found in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. It is located -6.82 latitude and 39.27 longitude and it is situated at elevation 24 meters above sea level. Dar es Salaam, is located on a natural harbour on the Eastern Indian Ocean coast of Africa. It is about 45 km (28 mi) south of the island of Zanzibar. The city is the main port of entry to Tanzania and the transportation hub of the country.
Dar es Salaam has a population of 2,698,652 making it the biggest city in Dar es Salaam. It operates on the BEAT time zone.
Things to Do in Dar es Salaam
Tanzania's main port is found at Dar es Salaam harbor straddling some of the most important sea routes in the world. On the northern section of the harbor is Kivukoni Front, with a bustling fish market, where dhows sail in every morning at dawn to offload the night's catch. The city's architecture is a mix of Swahili, German, Asian, and British influences.
German colonists organized Dar by arranging a grid pattern of streets fanning out around the port. The Lutheran Church and St. Joseph Cathedral are notable structures on the waterfront, and the city has a worthwhile museum. If you're a beach lover, you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city on day trips to beautiful Mbudya or Bongoyo Island. Other things to do in Tanzania when on holiday in Dar es Salaam include:
National Museum & House of Culture
Originally opened in 1940 as a memorial to King George V, the National Museum & House of Culture takes you on a journey through Tanzania's colorful past. The museum displays important fossils of some of the earliest human ancestors unearthed during the Leakey digs at Olduvai Gorge. You can also learn about Tanzania's tribal heritage and the impact of the slave trade and colonial periods. Other highlights of the museum include ethnographic displays on traditional crafts, customs, ornaments, and musical instruments, as well as a small collection of vintage cars, including the Rolls Royce used by former president, Julius Nyerere.
Village Museum
About 10 kilometers north of the city center, the Village Museum showcases traditional dwellings from some of Tanzania's 120 ethnic groups. You can wander through replicas of tribal homesteads scattered across 15 acres and learn about traditional customs and crafts. The museum also hosts Ngoma, tribal dances, and other cultural activities. Children, in particular, love exploring the different huts and traditional artifacts.
St. Joseph Cathedral
Built by German missionaries from 1897 through 1902, this Gothic-style Roman Catholic church dominates the harbor front and is the seat of the Dar es Salaam archdiocese. Its most striking features include a shingled spire, vaulted interior, and stained-glass windows. The cathedral contains many of the original German inscriptions and artwork, including a carved relief above the main altar. To really soak up the atmosphere here, attend a packed Sunday morning service, when the church reverberates with the soulful strains of the local choir.
Azania Front Lutheran Church
German missionaries built Azania Front Lutheran Church in 1898. The red-tile belfry rises above the surrounding rooftops, and the whitewashed building is still an iconic landmark in Dar es Salaam. Tiled canopies over the windows provide shade, and the gardens are a welcome retreat for weary tourists. At one time, Azania was the center of the original 19th-century German mission; it is now the cathedral for the diocese.
State House
Built in the late 1890s, the State House was the original residence of the German Governor. In 1922, the British rebuilt the State House, adding scalloped upper-storey arches and a crenellated parapet, after they nearly destroyed the building during World War I. The State House is now the home of the current president. Although it is closed to the public, the building is an eye-catching landmark along the harbor front.
Askari Monument
Cast in bronze, the Askari Monument depicts an Askari (soldier) in a World War I uniform, the bayonet of his rifle pointing towards the nearby harbor. The monument commemorates the African troops who fought as the Carrier Corps in World War I. Look for the inscription in English and Swahili written by Rudyard Kipling, the famous British writer and poet.
Mbudya Island
A 15-minute motorboat ride from the mainland, beautiful Mbudya Island, in the Dar es Salaam Marine reserve, seems a world away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Dar es Salaam. Sun seekers come here to bask on the island's white-sand beaches, snorkel, and swim in the turquoise waters. Bandas (thatched huts) are available for rent on the beach, and locals sell fresh barbecued seafood and cold drinks. This is one of the most popular day trips from the city.
Bongoyo Island
Bongoyo Island, a much-loved island getaway, lies off the Msasani Peninsula, about four miles north of the city. On the northwest tip of the island, you can relax under the shade of thatched umbrellas on the white-sand beach or cool off in the clear waters. Angelfish, starfish, clownfish, and sea urchins, are just some of the marine species you might spot among the coral. Behind the beach, nature trails wind between baobab trees to the island's opposite shore. The open-air snack bar serves cold drinks and fresh barbecued seafood.
Kunduchi Wet 'N' Wild Water Park
Next to Kunduchi Beach Hotel and Resort, about 19 kilometers from the center of town, this is the largest water park in East and Central Africa. Popular with families, the park is a colorful mix of pools, playgrounds, fast-food restaurants, and more than 29 water slides of varying heights, catering to both adults and young children. The park is also home to Tanzania's only Go Kart track.
Kivukoni Fish Market
Visiting the busy Kivukoni Fish Market on the harbor front is one of the most popular things to do if you want to soak up a slice of daily Dar es Salaam life. Fishing boats arrive early in the morning to offload their catch, where it is auctioned to local restaurants and the public. Bargain hard if you're in the market for some fish. Crabs, snapper, and squid are among the many species on display, and you can also enjoy a seafood meal while you're here. Try to arrive early in the morning to see the markets at the height of their action.
Botanical Gardens
Home to the Dar es Salaam Horticultural Society, the Botanical Gardens were established in 1893 by Professor Stuhlmann, the first Director of Agriculture. They were used as a trial plot for testing different types of plantation crops and tree species. Today, you can admire an enchanting mix of indigenous and exotic plants including purple bougainvillea, blue jacaranda, scarlet flame trees, and red hibiscus. Though the gardens are only a fraction of their former size, they are one of the few places in the world to see the beautiful coco-de-mer palm tree outside its native Seychelles.
Oyster Bay
This affluent expatriate enclave, about six kilometers north of the city on the Msasani Peninsula, is a popular weekend social spot. Locals and tourists alike come here to stroll Coco Beach, savor street food, and listen to live music. The Oyster Bay Shopping Center here is a popular attraction, with farmers markets, art galleries, and boutique shops.
Sports & nature
Tanzania's main port is found at Dar es Salaam harbor straddling some of the most important sea routes in the world. On the northern section of the harbor is Kivukoni Front, with a bustling fish market, where dhows sail in every morning at dawn to offload the night's catch. The city's architecture is a mix of Swahili, German, Asian, and British influences. German colonists organized Dar by arranging a grid pattern of streets fanning out around the port. The Lutheran Church and St Joseph's Cathedral are notable structures on the waterfront, and the city has an excellent museum. Beach lovers can escape the hustle and bustle of Dar with day trips to beautiful Mbudya and Bongoyo Island.
National Museum & House of Culture Originally opened in 1940 as a memorial to King George V, the National Museum & House of Culture takes visitors on a journey through Tanzania's colorful past. The museum displays important fossils of some of the earliest human ancestors unearthed during the Leakey digs at Olduvai Gorge. Visitors can learn about Tanzania's tribal heritage and the impact of the slave trade and colonial periods. Other highlights of the museum include ethnographic displays on traditional crafts, customs, ornaments, and musical instruments.
Village Museum About six miles north of the city center, the Village Museum showcases traditional dwellings from some of Tanzania's 120 ethnic groups. Visitors can wander through replicas of tribal homesteads scattered across 15 acres, and watch local artisans demonstrate their traditional painting, weaving, and carving skills. The museum also hosts Ngoma, tribal dances, and other cultural activities.
Askari Monument Cast in bronze, the Askari Monument depicts an Askari (soldier) in a World War I uniform, the bayonet of his rifle pointing towards the nearby harbor. The monument commemorates the African troops who fought as the Carrier Corps in World War I. Look for the inscription in English and Swahili written by Rudyard Kipling, the famous British writer and poet.
Old Boma Constructed in 1866-1867 by Majid Bin Said, sultan of Zanzibar, Old Boma is Dar es Salaam's oldest surviving building. It was built to accommodate the guests of the Sultan who had a palace next door. Distinguishing interior features include a carved wooden door from Zanzibar and coral walls.
St. Joseph's Cathedral Built by German missionaries from 1897 through 1902, this Gothic-style, Roman Catholic church dominates the Dar es Salaam harbor front. Its most striking features include a shingled spire, vaulted interior, and stained-glass windows. The cathedral contains many of the original German inscriptions and artwork, including a carved relief above the main altar. It is the seat of the Dar es Salaam archdiocese.
Botanical Gardens Home to the Dar es Salaam Horticultural Society, the Botanical Gardens were established in 1893 by Professor Stuhlmann, the first Director of Agriculture. They were used as a trial plot for testing different types of plantation crops and tree species. Today garden enthusiasts can admire an enchanting mix of indigenous and exotic plants including purple bougainvillea, blue jacaranda, scarlet flame trees, and red hibiscus. Though the gardens are only a fraction of their former size, they are one of the few places in the world to see the beautiful coco-de-mer palm tree, outside of its native Seychelles.
Azania Front Lutheran Church German missionaries built Azania Front Lutheran Church in 1898. The red-tile belfry rises above the surrounding rooftops, and the whitewashed building is still an iconic landmark in Dar es Salaam. Tiled canopies over the windows provide shade and the gardens are a welcome retreat for weary tourists. At one time Azania was the center of the original nineteenth century German mission; it is now the cathedral for the diocese.
State House Built in the late 1890s, the State House was the original residence of the German Governor. In 1922 the British rebuilt the State House, adding scalloped upper-storey arches and a crenellated parapet, after they nearly destroyed the building during World War I. The State House is now the home of the current president. Although it is closed to the public, the building is an eye-catching landmark along the harbor front.
Mbudya Island A 10-minute motorboat ride from Kunduchi, beautiful Mbudya Island, in the Dar es Salaam Marine reserve, seems a world away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Dar es Salaam. Sun seekers come here to bask on the island's white-sand beaches, snorkel, and swim the turquoise waters. Bandas (thatched huts) are available for rent on the beach, and locals sell fresh barbecued seafood and cold drinks. This is one of the most popular day trips from the city.
Bongoyo Island Bongoyo Island, a much-loved island getaway, lies off Msasani Peninsula, about four miles north of the city. On the northwest tip of the island, day-trippers can relax under the shade of thatched umbrellas on the white-sand beach or cool off in the clear waters. Angelfish, starfish, clownfish, and sea urchins, are just some of the marine species snorkelers might spot among the coral. Behind the beach, nature trails wind between baobab trees to the island's opposite shore. The open-air snack bar serves cold drinks and fresh barbecued seafood. Bongoyo is perhaps the most frequently visited of the four islands in the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve.
Nightlife info
Nightlife in Dar Es Salaam is very exciting and Night clubs are downtown in Dar Es Salaam. In general, the night clubs along the outskirts of town are geared toward Tanzanians while inside the downtown area, nightclubs are more geared toward Westerners, as this is where most of the tourists and locals of European descent reside.The most popular night spots are Club Bilicanas, Q-Bar, Mambo Club in Oyster Bay, Slipway, California Dreamer, Sugar Rays and Maisha Club near Hotel Karibu.
Club Bilicanas Located along Mkwepu/Makunganya Street, near to centre of Dar es Salaam. Club Bilicanas is located in the same building as the Hard Rock Cafe. Modern club through 2 floors with pop and local music. Live music or performances on a stage very often. Wednesday is Africa night while the rest of the week offers a variety of R&B.
Triniti Bar & Lounge 26 Msasani Road in Oysterbay, next to Ugandan High Commission in Dar Es Salaam. Triniti Bar & Lounge offers with live entertainment while enjoying cocktails. Enjoy a semi-secluded open-air Bar and Lounge with breezy gardens while a variety of DJs. On Saturdays there is special patented Trinity Night.
Baraza Cafe Bar Baraza Cafe and Bar is conveniently located in the centre of town and offers a welcoming atmosphere in its bar and restaurant. Baraza is a perfect place to enjoy your favourite drink after work or to meet friends for a few pre-dinner drinks.
Q Bar Found in Msasani Peninsula, Q Bar is a comfortable and a relaxed bar and nightclub spot with a casual homeliness, Q Bar has maintained the same welcoming character for a decade. This huge night spot ha been extended over the years and has now 20 rooms and 2 bars.
New Maisha Club Located along the Haile Selassie Road. New Maisha Club is near the Qbar. It is a modern club through 2 floors with pop and local music. Usually the club gets full of people around 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. There are also smoking rooms and a VIP area with a dancer.
Mambo Club Mambo Club in Oyster Bay, close to Karibu Hotel. This area is known to be primarily German and British district. Mambo usually is crowded on weekends and play a mixture of R&B, hip hop and Bongo Flava (local swahili music).
California Dreamer California Dreamer is located in Upanga and rathar a favourite destination for sports fans. It has a fantastic electronic sound system, wonderful acoustics and air conditioning and a good DJ’s. Sports fans can feel at home here as it showcase an unbiased array of world sports. The best nights are no doubt when the Tanzanian boxers step out in their chest thumping glory. It plays a kind of music and has sparkling clean toilets.
Sweet n Easy Sweet n Easy, a nice club situated on a rooftop, with a mixed audience. It is located upstairs above the Ocean Road Shopping Center and during the day is serves as of finest restaurants in town with a wide menu with some good Thai food long with much more. Thursday nights are packed, sweaty and sociable and there is passable live music on Fridays. It is therefore a popular bar/club with great food.
Culture and history info
Dar es Salaam formerly Mzizima, is the largest city in Tanzania and is located on a bay of the Indian Ocean. It has a population estimated at around 2,500,000, and is the country's richest city and an important economic centre. Despite losing its official status as capital city to Dodoma in the mid-1970s, Dar es Salaam remains the centre of the permanent central government bureaucracy. Major industries produce food, beverages, oil, textiles, clothing, shoes, cement, aluminum products, and pharmaceuticals. Dar-es-Salaam is Tanzania's main port and exports include cotton, sisal, coffee, diamonds and hides.
In 1859, Albert Roscher of Hamburg was the first European to land in Mzizima ("healthy town"). In 1866 Sultan Seyyid Majid of Zanzibar gave it its present name, an Arabic phrase meaning Haven of Peace. Following Majid’s death in 1870, Dar es Salaam fell into decline but was revived when the German East Africa Company established a trading station there in 1887 overthrowing the Arabic rulers and colonizing the East Africa coast. They built an administrative center to oversee local issues in German East Africa and a commercial center to direct the development of the Central Railway Line. Its growth was made easy by its role as the administrative and commercial centre of German East Africa. In 1891 it became the capital of German East Africa.
During World War I, German East Africa was captured by the British and since then it was referred to as Tanganyika. After World War II, Dar es Salaam experienced a period of rapid growth including the formation and growth of the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) which led to Tanganyika attaining its independence in December 1961. Dar es Salaam continued to serve as its capital until provisions were made in 1973 to relocate the capital to Dodoma, a more centrally located city in Tanzania's interior.
German historical influences are still visible in the city. Dar es Salaam is an important city for both business and government. The city is the hub of the Tanzanian transportation system as all of the country's main railways and several highways originate in or near the city. The Dar es Salaam Airport connects the city with other African countries, the Middle East as well as Europe.
There are a variety of museums, including the National Museum, the Village Museum and the Botanical Gardens. There are beaches on the Kigamboni peninsula East of Dar es Salaam and on Kigamboni Island to the North where residents and tourists frequently visit.
Dar es Salaam is also the educational centre of Tanzania. It is home to the University of Dar es Salaam, the Open University of Tanzania, the Hubert Kairuki Memorial University (HKMU) as well as the International Medical and Technological University (IMTU) among others.
