DAR ES SALAAM
MORE THAN JUST A PLACE TO PASS THROUGH
Dar es Salaam is often treated as little more than an arrival point on the way to safari or Zanzibar. We think the city deserves a little more attention.
It is Tanzania's largest city: busy, colourful, spread out and full of contrasts. Markets and historic buildings sit alongside modern neighbourhoods, Indian temples, beaches, local restaurants and a coastline dotted with small islands.
You do not need a week to explore Dar, but adding a day or two can show you a side of Tanzania that many visitors completely miss.
DAR ES SALAAM AT A GLANCE
LOCATION
East Tanzania
BEST KNOWN FOR
Markets, history, local life, food, culture and the coast
GETTING AROUND
Private vehicle, walking, bajaji or local transport
COMBINE WITH
Nyerere, Mikumi, Bagamoyo, the islands, Uluguru Mountains
RECOMMENDED STAY
1–2 nights, or longer for a beach stay south of the city
BEST TIME TO VISIT
All year
A DIFFERENT SIDE OF TANZANIA
Dar es Salaam is not a polished tourist city, and that is part of what makes it interesting.
It is a working African city where millions of people live, commute, shop, eat and do business every day. Exploring Dar gives you a very different perspective on Tanzania from the national parks and beach resorts.
The city is also extremely diverse. Its history has been shaped by African, Arab, Indian and European influences, which can still be seen in its architecture, places of worship, food and neighbourhoods.
We particularly enjoy showing travellers the city with someone who knows it well. Our local guide has extensive knowledge of Dar's history and can take you beyond the places you would normally find by following a standard sightseeing list.
DIFFERENT AREAS OF DAR ES SALAAM
Dar es Salaam is a huge and spread-out city, and the experience can be completely different depending on where you stay and spend your time.
For travellers, we roughly divide the city into four areas.
CITY CENTRE
The city centre, including areas such as Posta, Upanga, Kisutu and Kariakoo, is where you really feel the energy of Dar es Salaam.
This is the best area for markets, local shops, historic buildings and everyday city life. Kariakoo, Kivukoni Fish Market, the Khanga Market and many of the places we visit during our city tours are found in or around this part of Dar es Salaam.
It is busy, colourful and sometimes chaotic and loud, but if you want to experience the real rhythm of the city, this is where you will find it.
THE PENINSULA: MASAKI & OYSTER BAY
The Peninsula shows a very different side of Dar es Salaam. Masaki and Oyster Bay are among the city's wealthier neighbourhoods and are particularly popular with expats and international visitors. You will find a large choice of hotels, restaurants serving cuisines from around the world, cafés, boutiques and artisan markets.
The atmosphere is calmer and more international than in the city centre. Coco Beach adds a more local side to the Peninsula and becomes particularly lively when residents come to spend time by the ocean.
The Peninsula works well for travellers who want plenty of restaurants and facilities nearby while still having easy access to the rest of the city.
KIGAMBONI
Across the harbour, Kigamboni feels much more local. Most of the area consists of residential neighbourhoods, small businesses, markets and beaches rather than hotels and restaurants aimed at international visitors. This makes it interesting for travellers who want to experience everyday life outside central Dar.
There are also a handful of places catering more to international travellers. Kipepeo Beach, for example, combines a beach setting with relatively easy access to the city.
Continue further south and the coastline becomes increasingly quiet and undeveloped, eventually leading towards places such as Amani Beach, Basecamp Changani and The Overhang.
THE NORTHERN COAST
North of the Peninsula, Dar es Salaam continues along the Indian Ocean with residential areas, hotels, restaurants and beach properties.
This can be a practical option if you want to stay near the coast while remaining reasonably connected to the city. The area feels less intense than the city centre and in places can feel like a continuation of the Peninsula.
We do not consider this Dar es Salaam's most beautiful beach destination, however. If spending time at the beach is an important part of your stay, we generally prefer Kigamboni or the quieter coastline further south.
EXPLORING DAR ES SALAAM
Dar es Salaam is enormous, so there is no single city tour that works for everyone.
Our city tours are always private and can be adapted according to your interests and how active you want the day to be.
Some travellers want to focus on history and architecture. Others are more interested in markets and everyday life, religious sites, food or the contrast between different neighbourhoods. We have even had guests who specifically wanted to explore the more affluent areas of the city.
You can explore primarily on foot, use a private vehicle, travel by bajaji or incorporate local transport.
A full-day tour gives you the most time to understand the city, but a half-day experience can also be arranged if your schedule is limited.
THE ISLANDS OFF DAR ES SALAAM
You do not have to travel to Zanzibar to spend a day on an island.
There are several small islands off the coast of Dar es Salaam that can be visited for swimming, snorkeling and a relaxed day by the sea.
Bongoyo Island and Mbudya Island are convenient when staying in central or northern Dar es Salaam.
From the southern side of the city, Sinda Island is another option and combines particularly well with a stay in Kigamboni.
These islands work well if you have an extra day in Dar and would rather spend it by the water than in the city.
KIGAMBONI: BEACHES AND LOCAL LIFE
Cross the harbour from central Dar es Salaam and the atmosphere changes quickly.
Kigamboni covers a large area south of the city and combines residential neighbourhoods, local markets and everyday life with a long coastline.
Closer to the city, you can experience the local side of Kigamboni, visit markets, cross the harbour on the ferry and spend time along the beach.
This part of Dar works particularly well for travellers who want to stay close enough to explore the city but prefer sleeping away from the busy centre.
THE COAST SOUTH OF DAR ES SALAAM
Continue further south and Dar es Salaam feels very different again.
The coastline becomes quieter, development decreases and you can find long
stretches of beach with very few international visitors.
Places such as Amani Beach, Basecamp Changani and The Overhang offer a
completely different alternative to staying in central Dar or travelling
immediately to Zanzibar.
We see this area more as a genuine beach stay than as a base for sightseeing in
the city. The distances are too large to conveniently combine a remote southern
beach hotel with daily city tours.
For travellers looking for quiet beaches and somewhere genuinely under the radar, however, this coastline can be a very interesting addition to a Tanzania holiday.
HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED?
For most travellers, one or two nights in Dar es Salaam works well.
With one full day, you can explore the city with a private guide or choose an island or coastal activity.
Two days give you more freedom to combine the city with time by the sea.
If you choose to stay further south along the coast, you can easily spend several nights there. In that case, we treat it as a beach destination rather than simply an extended Dar es Salaam city stay.
Dar can also simply be used as a practical overnight stop between an international flight, safari, ferry or domestic flight. We adapt the amount of time here to the rest of your holiday rather than adding unnecessary nights.
WHERE TO STAY
Where you stay in Dar es Salaam makes a considerable difference because the city is so large.
Central locations work best for city sightseeing, ferry connections and short stays.
The peninsula offers a different atmosphere with restaurants, shops and oceanfront areas, while Kigamboni provides a quieter alternative across the harbour.
Further south, accommodations such as Amani Beach, Basecamp Changani and The Overhang work better as separate beach stays.
We select accommodation according to your arrival and departure plans, activities and the route that follows.
HOW TO REACH DAR ES SALAAM
BY INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
Julius Nyerere International Airport is one of Tanzania's main international gateways, making Dar es Salaam a natural starting or ending point for a Southern Tanzania holiday.
We can arrange your airport pickup and transfer to your accommodation.
FROM ZANZIBAR
Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar are connected by regular ferries and domestic flights.
The ferry is particularly useful when combining Stone Town with Dar es Salaam or starting a mainland safari after Zanzibar.
BY SGR TRAIN
The SGR railway connects Dar es Salaam with Morogoro and destinations further inland.
We regularly use the train as part of itineraries towards Morogoro, the Uluguru Mountains and Mikumi, reducing the amount of time travellers need to spend on the road.
COMBINING DAR ES SALAAM WITH OTHER DESTINATIONS
Dar es Salaam is the main hub for most of the holidays we organise in Tanzania. Almost every destination you find on our website can be combined with a stay in Dar es Salaam.
From here, you can travel by private vehicle towards the national parks, mountains and coast, take the SGR train towards Morogoro, connect by ferry with Zanzibar or use domestic flights to reach Tanzania's more remote safari parks and islands.
This makes Dar es Salaam a very flexible starting point, ending point or stop in the middle of a longer tailor-made holiday.
SOUTHERN SAFARI PARKS
Nyerere and Mikumi are among the easiest safari destinations to combine with Dar es Salaam by road. Mikumi can also be reached using the SGR train to Morogoro, while flying is another option for selected safari routes.
Further inland, Ruaha can be reached as part of a longer overland journey or by domestic flight.
REMOTE WESTERN TANZANIA
Even remote destinations such as Katavi and Mahale can be incorporated into a holiday starting or ending in Dar es Salaam.
Domestic flight connections allow us to combine these wilderness areas with other parts of Tanzania without requiring long overland journeys.
THE MOUNTAINS
Dar es Salaam is also a natural starting point for travelling towards the Uluguru, Udzungwa and Usambara Mountains.
Uluguru and Udzungwa fit particularly easily into our Southern Tanzania routes, while Usambara can form part of a longer journey north through Bagamoyo, Saadani, Pangani and Tanga.
THE COAST
Travelling north from Dar opens up a completely different route through Bagamoyo, Saadani, Pangani and Tanga, with the possibility of continuing into the Usambara Mountains or towards Mkomazi.
South of Dar, the journey can continue along the coast towards Kilwa, which can also be combined with Nyerere National Park.
THE ISLANDS
Dar es Salaam is one of the most useful gateways for combining the mainland with Tanzania's islands.
Zanzibar can be reached by ferry or domestic flight, while Mafia and Pemba are normally reached by air. This makes it easy to finish a safari or longer mainland journey with a few days on an island.
WHEN TO VISIT DAR ES SALAAM
Dar es Salaam can be visited throughout the year.
The city is hot and humid for much of the year, and the coastal climate means short tropical showers can occur even outside the main rainy periods.
The wetter period generally falls between March and May, with another shorter rainy period possible towards the end of the year.
For city sightseeing, we adapt the programme to the weather and can combine indoor and outdoor stops where needed.
Island and snorkeling trips depend more on sea and weather conditions and may need to be adjusted locally.
IS DAR ES SALAAM RIGHT FOR YOU?
Dar es Salaam is particularly worth adding if you:
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Want to see everyday urban life in Tanzania
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Enjoy markets, history, architecture and culture
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Prefer exploring with a knowledgeable local guide
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Want a city experience that can be personalised to your interests
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Have an extra day between your international flight, safari or Zanzibar
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Want to combine the city with an island or beach day
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Are curious to see a part of Tanzania many international visitors skip
If your priority is simply to reach safari or the beach as quickly as possible, we can also keep your time in Dar es Salaam short and use the city only as a practical arrival or departure point.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is Dar es Salaam worth visiting?
Yes! Dar is often skipped by international travellers, but a guided day in the city gives you a very different perspective on Tanzania from safari parks and beach resorts.
How many nights should I stay in Dar es Salaam?
For most travellers, one or two nights is enough. You can stay longer if you want to explore more of the city or spend time along the coast.
Is the Dar es Salaam city tour private?
Yes. Our city tours are private and can be adapted to your interests, available time and preferred way of getting around.
Can I explore Dar es Salaam on foot?
Parts of the city are excellent for exploring on foot, but Dar is far too large to see entirely by walking. We can combine walking with a private vehicle, bajaji or local transport.
Can I visit an island from Dar es Salaam?
Yes. Bongoyo, Mbudya and Sinda are options depending on where you are staying and the type of day you want.
Can I stay at the beach in Dar es Salaam?
Yes. Kigamboni and the coast south of the city have several beach accommodation options. The further south you travel, the quieter and less developed the coastline becomes.
Can you pick us up at Dar es Salaam Airport?
Yes. Airport transfers can be incorporated into your holiday, including late arrivals and connections with your accommodation, safari or onward journey.
PLAN YOUR TIME IN DAR ES SALAAM
Dar es Salaam does not have to be just the place where your flight lands.
Tell us how much time you have and what interests you. We can personalise your stay around history, markets, local life, food, architecture, beaches or the islands, or simply arrange a comfortable stop before the next part of your holiday.