Overview
The Village Museum is an open-air ethnographic museum on a 6-hectare site on Dar es Salaam's northern outskirts, with life-size reconstructions of traditional homes from 16 major Tanzanian ethnic groups. You can compare the house styles, furniture, and tools of the Chaga, Makonde, Maasai, Haya, and others to grasp Tanzania's cultural variety in one place. Weekend traditional dance and music shows are staged, along with Makonde carving demonstrations and beadwork sessions. Small but well kept. Admission TZS 6,500. About 20 minutes by car from downtown.
Opening Hours
Daily 09:30-18:00
Travel Tips
Time your visit to the weekend afternoon performance (14:00). You can also buy Makonde sculptures at the museum entrance.
Hotels near Village Museum
Hotels and guesthouses in Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo Road, Dar es Salaam
Other attractions in Dar es Salaam
National Museum
Tanzania's national museum, showcasing the country's history, archaeology, and ethnography.
Kariakoo Market
East Africa's largest traditional market and a window into local daily life.
Coco Beach
A favorite weekend Indian Ocean beach for locals, with especially stunning sunsets.
Bongoyo Island
An uninhabited coral island off Dar es Salaam, popular for snorkeling and seafood BBQs.
Mwenge Carvers Market
A craft market where you can buy Makonde wood sculptures and Tingatinga paintings direct from the artists.
Askari Monument
A bronze statue honoring East African soldiers who fought in WWI on the African front.