Africa - From Coast to Coast: Reaching the Indian Ocean

In the heart of Eastern Africa, Dar Es Salaam shines the light for African development and global economic promise. From the air, bright lights spread as far as the eye can see. Structure, order and geographical harmony, clearly lost in construction. The roads mirroring this chaotic existence, with a free for all at most major junctions.

The city is sporadic, chaotic and moulds around natural coves and bays. Trans National Corporations and local companies are vying for any space that is left - to qualify for the prestigious DES postcode. Locals and immigrants are squeezing into the gaps.

On the banks of the Indian Ocean, Dar operates as an African gateway to the Middle East, Asia and Europe. The bustling port is a constant flow of Japanese car imports and Chinese electronics - whilst African agriculture is shipped far and wide. At sea, numerous container ships await their turn to dock on African soil and exchange global goods, whilst the iconic Cape to Cairo rail line awaits cargo to transport. Trucks roll the roads day and night - loaded with imported goods.

Despite the agonising tragedies of inefficiencies, rife in this city, the seeds of development are showing fruit. Skyscrapers have sprung up around the city, housing prestigious corporations, looking for an African base. Likewise, waterfront real estate has been snapped up by globalised brands - offering expats and wealthy locals with homogenised sea front experiences. At the Slipway, one needs to pinch themselves to stay tuned that you are still in Dar. White folk dominate whilst lavish restaurants stand above lapping waves, serving delicately presented fish and offering the worlds finest wines. Some contrast to the surrounding areas.

Here, Africa’s brave, who have migrated for the promise of increased earning potential are subjugated to poor sanitation and living conditions. Ladies wash clothes in the shallows of Coco Beach, and use trees on the side of the road to let the sea breeze act as natures own dryer. Men lay on the road side - selling fruit and brick a brack from small tin shacks, caked in the smoke billowing from the racing tuk-Tuks.

Sadly, inescapable and unavoidable are the mountains of refuse washed up on the shores. Roadside burning is the primary means of waste refusal, yet it seems where this fails - streams and rivers are the next best method. Dar offers the perfect viewpoint to witness the culmination of the populations waste journey. After flowing through rivers and streams - it all spits out into the ocean, where it is subsequently is washed by onshore currents onto the beaches. In many ways this is due to a lack of infrastructure development - but education is surely at the heart of this issue? What was once a white sand beach is now black - littered with flip-flops, crisp packets and thousands of paper cups and plastic bottles.

Adorned with Arabic and African influence - Dar serves up a unique cultural delicacy. Draped in colour, awash with beeping cars and screeching bikes, and the smell of the sea and fried chicken ensure all your senses are heightened by this vast city. Every street corner provides the bizarre, every street corner another local dressed in Massai attire, every street corner a feast for the eyes.

As the gateway to tranquil islands, turquoise waters and world renowned safaris - Dar is often lost to visitors as a city of transit. However, having experienced immense culture, incredible community and world leading cuisine - we would argue that Dar is worthy of a visit of its own. There is a reason this place is growing as an economic hub of Africa...if not the world.