Tequila Island turns Mbudya into a star-studded playground of luxury and vibes
Dar es Salaam. Mbudya Island got a vibrant makeover over the weekend as Tequila Island dropped anchor with a bold promise: to deliver the ultimate island escape—and it did not disappoint.
On Saturday,the usually tranquil island off the coast of Dar es Salaam pulsed with energy as East Africa’s entertainment royalty converged for a full-day experience fuelled by good music, even better tequila, and that elusive soft life everyone keeps chasing on Instagram.
Fronted by Don Julio and hosted in collaboration with Str8up Vibes and 1245 Events, the event brought out big names and even bigger vibes. Kenyan content creator Seth Gor, Ugandan media personality Sheila Gashumba, and Tanzanian favorites DJ Dream, DJ Dash, and Shelly headlined the island extravaganza, setting the tone for a cultural crossover of class and celebration.
Themed around what organizers playfully dubbed "the 20 million shilling experience," Tequila Island was no ordinary beach party. Guests arrived via boat to discover a carefully curated tequila fantasy—think Don Julio Añejo, Reposado, Casamigos, and handcrafted cocktails like the Casa Smash, Don Paloma, and the classic Don Margarita.
From VIP lounges to barefoot dance floors shaded by palm trees, every detail spoke to elegance without effort. This was more than just a party—it was a lifestyle flex.
Vibes, views, and A-list energy
By noon, boats were gliding across turquoise waters toward Mbudya, each one carrying influencers, media personalities, creatives, and tastemakers ready to trade the city’s concrete for sea breezes and sun-soaked beats.
As the music kicked in, the island morphed into an open-air dancefloor. The DJs served up Afrobeat, amapiano, and house bangers as waves crashed nearby and cocktails flowed freely.
By sunset, Mbudya felt like something out of a music video—an island not just visited, but transformed into a haven of sound, style, and spirited sipping.
Tequila Island has set a new bar for lifestyle events in Tanzania, blending high-end branding with local flavor and regional celebrity. It showed that with the right mix of music, setting, and premium spirits, Dar es Salaam can hold its own on the continental party circuit.
As guests sailed back under the moonlight—some sun-kissed, others slightly tipsy—it was clear that Tequila Island wasn’t just an event. It was a memory in the making.
And for one unforgettable day, Mbudya wasn’t just an escape. It was the destination.
