
Most visitors to Dar arrive via Julius K. Nyerere International Airport, about 10 km west of the city center. Dar is flat and is bordered on the east by the Indian Ocean.
Dar es Salaam has a very humid climate and relatively stable temperatures, both in terms of night-to-day, and summer-to-winter. The driest and coolest season is June through early October. Short rains occur November through February (especially December), and long rains occur March through May, with monsoon season peaking in April. Temperatures are high November through May, highest in January.
Between December and February, in the dry season, temperatures can rise to the mid-30s (°C); due to the high humidity, discomfort can be very high. You should seek shelter from the sun during the midday heat and use copious amounts of sunblock.
Best times to visit are: June-Sept, after the rainy season, with milder temperatures and lower relative humidity.
North Americans and Europeans can obtain tourist visas upon landing in Dar es Salaam at a cost of US$50 (US$100 for US passport holders, free for Romanians) paid in US dollars. However, some may prefer to get a visa before arriving. A visa can be obtained from the Tanzanian High Commission/Embassy. Fees are US$100 for US passport holders and you will need a passport sized photograph. Normally ready same day.
If you want or need a business visa, you will have to go to the Immigration Headquarters within 5 working days and pay another US$100. You will also need no fewer than four passport sized photos. If the secretary at your company offers to take care of the procedure, do not forget to ask about the status. They might forget to tell you if something is missing.
At the airport, stand in the visa line, which is on the right hand side of the queue for passport control. It can get a bit hectic because several international flights arrive almost simultaneously, so ask others where the queue starts.
Once you've received your visa, there's no need to stop at passport control; they issue the visa and stamp you in at the same time, so just walk through to the baggage claim area.
Tanzania's main airport is in Dar es Salaam, Julius Nyerere International Airport - (IATA:DAR) (formerly known as Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere International Airport and Dar es Salaam International Airport).
The airport is 10 km from the city center and 20 km from the Msasani Peninsula. Most large hotels offer a pick-up and drop-off service upon request. As of 2015, a taxi cartel established at the airport. Drivers will still come up to you as soon as you leave the airport building. Once you agree with a driver on your destination he will have to leave his personal mark with the cartel office. Prices are fixed at $30 USD for non-residents for a ride to the city centre.
Avoid paying in US Dollars to get the best taxi prices. If you tell the drivers you have no US Dollars, but can pay in Shillings, you may be able to get away with paying the resident rate of 30,000Tsh to the city center - about half price. There are a few ATMs at the airport that you can use to withdraw local currency. However, on a trip in June 2015, some ATMs were out of cash and thus unusable: you should carry a hard currency that can be exchanged at the airport Bureau de Change if necessary. Note that the Bureau de Change is not 24 hours.
If you want an even more decent price, walk to the main road and flag a taxi, it may be cheaper. This way, a taxi from the airport to the city centre should cost between 10,000TSh and 20,000TSh. Do not do this at night.
Fares may change/rise. Daladalas are also available if you walk out to the main road. Look for those marked POSTA, which is the main Post Office in the city center. Hitchhiking is uncommon and most drivers will expect some form of payment from foreigners.
Warning: Getting back to the airport often entails a traffic nightmare, particularly around evening rush hour (which can last beyond 8PM). There is one particular intersection between downtown and the airport that is impossible to avoid and is often backed up for over an hour. Leave yourself a lot more time than you think reasonable for the trip; if you arrive too early for your flight's check-in, there is a restaurant above the terminal that has okay food and good beer. Also, the restaurant inside the domestic terminal (after security) has a variety of local beers for around 5,000 Tsh.
Dar es Salaam is served Internationally via:
[wiki=912d59cdf1d3f551fae21f6f0062258f]Europe[/wiki] by:
*Turkish Airlines ([wiki=0ef8f876d62a45352e28410454e3634b]Istanbul[/wiki]-Ataturk), +90 212 444 0 849, [url=http://www.thy.com],]3 flights a week (Monday, Wednesday and Saturday) flights.
*KLM Royal Dutch Airlines ([[Amsterdam[/url]]), +255 22 213 9790, [url=http://www.klm.com],]daily flights with a stopover in Kilimanjaro.
*Swiss International Airlines ([[Zurich[/url]]), +255 22 211 8870, [url=http://www.swiss.com],]5 flights a week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) with a stopover in [[Nairobi[/url]], [wiki=94984a8c4896946d9bafd24959cb6181]Kenya[/wiki].
[wiki=158b06e50632e27d494593ba389ef918]Middle East[/wiki] and [wiki=154a67340e8c14dd5253dc4ff6120197]Asia[/wiki] by:
*Emirates ([wiki=23b998b19b5f60dbbc4eedc53328b0c7]Dubai[/wiki]), +255 22 211 6100, [url=http://www.emirates.com],]Daily flights.
*Oman Air ([[Muscat[/url]]), [url=http://www.omanair.com/],]direct flights 3 times a week (Friday, Sunday and Wednesday)and 4 times week via [[Zanzibar[/url]] (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday)
*Qatar Airways ([wiki=5503bcea3b608d5ce322ea8fb7f6806f]Doha[/wiki]), +255 22 284 2675, [url=http://www.qatarairways.com],]1019, Julius Nyerere International Airport, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Daily flights.
*Egypt Air ([[Cairo[/url]]), +255 22 2136665, [url=http://www.egyptair.com],]4 flights a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday). Offers lowest fares out of Europe, Americas & Asia to Dar es Salaam via Cairo. A Star Alliance Member.
[[Africa[/url]] by
*South African Airways ([wiki=33416c1d32d3c19771d09bf215c7b514]Johannesburg[/wiki]), +255 22 211 7044, [url=http://www.flysaa.com],]Twice daily flights.
*Ethiopian Airlines ([[Addis Ababa[/url]]), +255 22 211 7063, [url=http://www.flyethiopian.com],]Daily flights (except on Monday) with a stopover in [[Mount Kilimanjaro|Kilimanjaro[/url]].
*Kenya Airways (Nairobi), +255 22 211 9376 (Dar) & +255 24 223 8355 (Zanzibar), [url=http://www.kenya-airways.com],]3 daily flights with some stopping in Kilimanjaro.
*Malawian Airlines ([[Blantyre[/url]] & [wiki=c3f6f5440a16b82457cb096b3f4c63a7]Lilongwe[/wiki]), +255 22 212 7746 / 2043, [url=http://www.airmalawi.com],]3 flights a week (Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday)
*Mozambique Airlines a.k.a. LAM - Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique, ([[Maputo[/url]]), +255 22 213 4600, [url=http://www.lam.co.mz/en]]e-mail: info@fasttracktanzania.com, 3 flights a week (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday)
*Zambezi Airlines - Zambia, ([[Lusaka[/url]]), +255 22 2137422 [url=http://www.flyzambezi.com],]3 flights a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) between Lusaka-Zambia and Dar es Salaam. [url=http://www.flyzambezi.com[/url]]
*Air Uganda, ([[Entebbe[/url]]), +256 41 216 5555, [url=http://www.air-uganda.com],]3 flights a week (Monday, Friday and Sunday) to Dar es Salaam, with flights to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar also.
*Comores Aviation, 3 flights a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday)
*Malawian Airlines' ([[Blantyre[/url]])
*Air Seychelles Ltd, ([wiki=d2e4449b45608e33e472d939a73868f7]Seychelles[/wiki]) - Visit website (http://www.airseychelles.com) or call +248 4931 000 - 02 flights weekly (Tuesday and Sunday) between Seychelles and Dar es Salaam
And Domestic Travel via:
(These airlines provide almost daily service to and from Dar es Salaam to all major cities including [wiki=61f715a48b8c0e80af675374d0bb1649]Arusha[/wiki], [wiki=8c953e6b0dc04a1732a219ecb1b80d87]Mwanza[/wiki], [wiki=c5b4073ccdef4f4026d1e655ed9d9b9d]Mbeya[/wiki], Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro and most national parks.)
*Air Tanzania, +255 22 211 8411, [url=http://www.airtanzania.com],]email: bookings@airtanzania.com. Also fly internationally to Johannesburg daily.
*air viva, [url=http://www.air-viva.com[/url]]offers online booking. No need to re-confirm your reservation as they have an email-app which informs you about changes.
*Bold Aviation, +255 75 465 4154, [url=http://www.boldairways.com[/url],]email: youcanfly@boldairways.com.
*Precision Air, +255 22 212 1718, [url=http://www.precisionairtz.com[/url],]Along Nyerere/Pugu Road, P.O Box 70770, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, email: info@precisionairtz.com or pwreservations@precisionairtz.com. Internationally to Nairobi ,Comoros, Johannesburg and Entebbe
*Coastal Aviation, +255 22 211 7959, [url=http://www.coastal.cc[/url],]P. O. Box 3052, 107 Upanga Road, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, email: safari@coastal.cc
*Auric Air [url=http://www.auricair.com[/url],]+255 783 233 334, P. O. Box 336, T-14 First Floor, Haidary Plaza, Upanga/Kisutu street, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, [mailto:auric@auricair.com auric@auricair.com[/url]. provides daily service to all major cities, including [wiki=11c31301af9029afaada00c773b2136d]Zanzibar[/wiki] [wiki=b6a1d0868e6cb69c09653dc1ab5db059]Iringa[/wiki] [wiki=be19df5c691da9ac1903ee97b7c1c8ef]Songea[/wiki] [wiki=173feaba5f738c4620f022a6e0e34d34]Dodoma[/wiki] and most national parks including [wiki=03c826d092a0273dc7bf771c5efeaef9]Serengeti[/wiki] and [wiki=736513eafb3d4dbebc84236d7d8170b5]Ruaha[/wiki].
*ZanAir, +255 24 223 3670, [url=http://www.zanair.com],]P.O.Box 2113, Zanzibar, Tanzania, email: reservations@zanair.com.
*fastjet, +255 685 680533, [url=http://www.fastjet.com[/url],]email: sales.tanzania@fastjet.com. Also fly internationally to [[Johannesburg[/url]] three times a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays)
Warning: Domestic flights are often late but generally reliable.
Buying Tickets: One can even buy flight tickets from travel agents and airline offices. When purchasing tickets for domestic flights with a credit card, travel agents will add-on a fee ranging anywhere from 3-6% of the ticket price. To avoid the fee, pay for your tickets in cash. There are no additional fees when purchasing tickets for international destinations.
There are two trains running out of Dar Es Salaam from different stations. Tanzania Railway Limited is a train that travels through the center of Tanzania to Dodoma and further West, even up to [wiki=8c953e6b0dc04a1732a219ecb1b80d87]Mwanza[/wiki]; however, the train tends to be unreliable, not terribly pleasant, and thievery is a problem. Tourists should try to travel in groups, and/or buy out (full occupancy) a first class cabin. Keep the doors and windows locked, especially when sleeping. The train travels at walking pace much of the time, so it is possible to buy fresh fruit, eggs, and other items out of the windows all along the way.
'Tazara runs a much nicer, though not much more on-time train to the south, which goes through part of the [wiki=c6b1c1eea77e5c7d158329424195b926]Selous Game Reserve[/wiki], through [wiki=c5b4073ccdef4f4026d1e655ed9d9b9d]Mbeya[/wiki], and down to [wiki=c25e007aa62d24b45c04c5e58c303fe4]Kapiri Mposhi[/wiki] in [wiki=b0aa0804e676a38255af4fd70236af7c]Zambia[/wiki] (about 2 to 3 hours from [wiki=c9e26aa604ddee6234c920e6d006ca8b]Lusaka[/wiki]). Tazara has a large train station just out on the edge of town. Visas for Zambia are available on the train. This is a nice but slow way to travel, as it takes about 2 days.
Bus travel is generally reliable if you pick the right company. It can be somewhat scary as Tanzanians seem to value arriving quickly more than arriving safely ('Mungu akipenda, tutafika' - If god wants it, we shall arrive).
If you're traveling to Arusha, Kilimanjaro Express and Dar Express are the most popular bus companies and are the best option. The buses are very nice, have a/c (when working), a bathroom, and speed varies on the bus which is taken. The earliest buses are the fastest non safer option while the late ones around 10 am are more luxurious and take more time Buses leave from here early in the morning as well, although they then wait at the main bus stand for at least an hour. It is usually a full day trip to Arusha. Buses which leave at 8 am generally arrive at 6 pm
Taxis are available outside the stations (TSh5,000 or more for a taxi ride from downtown, depending on your negotiation skills). Here you can find buses to the majority of other cities. Although there are many touts outside of Ubungo's ticket area, they are mostly harmless. If you are put off by them, ask the taxi to take you inside the station for a small extra fee. The ticket offices are located just outside the station, though you can buy the tickets from the bus if you have entered already. This might be a better idea regardless, as you cannot tell the state of the bus from outside, nor how full the bus is (buses will only leave when completely full).
Warning: Some of the cheaper lines run buses which are remarkably dilapidated, uncomfortable, will take a very long time to fill up, and will likely have to stop more often on the way, assuming they make it at all. Bus travel by night is not allowed, so most buses except for those to nearby cities will leave early in the morning.
Warning: Keep valuables and bags containing valuables with you at all times during bus travel. It is not uncommon for bags placed on an over-head shelf to be stolen from the bus during a stop, especially if the passenger has stepped off of the bus.
Sometimes the touts for the shadier bus companies claim to be working for or selling tickets for the more reputable bus companies. It is best to find the ticket office of a reputable bus company in the line of offices just outside of the bus stand. It is not necessary to book a ticket in advance, but it is a good idea to do so during busy travel times (Easter, Christmas). It is a good practice to verify the information on your ticket before leaving the counter.
The nearest dala-dala stand is also called "Ubungo", just down the road: Leaving the bus stand, head left on Morogoro Road, going toward the city; watch for the people crowding at the dala stand a short distance along. Dala-dalas to downtown will be marked "Posta"; people are typically happy to point them out to you if you ask.
Taxi prices from Ubungo are highest inside the stand, where there is a fairly strong cartel (similar to the airport). However there are always taxis outside the stand as well, with whom better prices can be negotiated. If you make a deal with a tout, and not directly with the driver (sitting in the car) the price will include a commission for the tout. Your negotiating position will be affected by things like the weather, time of day, traffic, how many other taxis there are, whether you can bargain in kiswahili, whether you have lots of bags, etc. Starting to walk to the daladala stand can show you're serious about negotiating - actually going there and taking a dala will really save you money.
See the By car in the Get In in the [wiki=c03b1123e45fa00da3142e0424ee5eec]Tanzania[/wiki] article.
Walking around central Dar is a nice way to see the city and probably the best way to get around. In general people will leave you alone except for the occasional greeting. There aren't many sidewalks in Dar so exercise caution when walking along busy roads.
Cycling around Dar is possible but can be difficult and scary. You should be comfortable with cycling in high-congestion areas where traffic is slowed. Tanzanians have little patience when driving and in their mind any vehicle smaller than theirs is responsible for getting out the way. Cycling on the Msasani Peninsula is less hectic than in urban areas. Wear a helmet and hone your defensive cycling skills when cycling around Dar.
UWABA, the Dar cyclists' association, is uniting cyclists to lobby for better (or any) bike lanes, traffic safety, and to improve the image of cycling. At the moment cycling is associated with poor people who can't afford motorised transport. Middle-class Tanzanians complain that their reputation will suffer if they are seen on a bike.
Some local tour groups offer guide bicycling tours around the city. This is a good way to get further afield and interact with the locals. One company that offers bike tours in Dar is Afriroots - they have both 'Dar Reality Tours' and Sunday tours that include a delicious lunch. Sign up for the Sunday tours on the previous Thursday. Their email is: adventure@afriroots.co.tz
For a countryside cycle trip, the Pugu Hills Nature Centre 12 km. from the international airport (0754 565 498) is a good opportunity, but you need to come with your own bike and make a booking if you plan to visit the place ([http://www.puguhills.com]).
Car hires can be organized through most hotels. Tanzanians drive on the left. Like many developing countries, driving in Dar can be stressful, difficult and dangerous. In addition to potholes, drivers must contend with aggressive taxis and dalla-dallas (see below), poor driving skills by western standards, large potholes, uncovered manholes, few if any street lights at night, and thieves who remove any exterior part of your vehicle while you’re stopped at traffic lights. During the rainy season you must also navigate through water covered roads that may hide deep potholes and around Tanzanians who dart out into traffic in an effort to get out of the rain, often with little children in tow. In conclusion, driving in Dar should be left to those with driving experience in developing countries.
Choice of vehicle
*If you're only driving in Dar, you can opt for a sedan which will be cheaper on gas and easier to park. You'll still have to go slowly when you're taking secondary roads, many of which aren't sealed.
Navigation
Driving in the city
*Dar's city center is extremely congested from 9AM-6PM from Monday to Friday. There are few traffic lights and the streets are very narrow. It's dog-eat-dog, so offensive driving skills are a must as no one will let you pass if you just sit and wait at stops signs. Streets are crowded with parked and moving cars, SUVs, lorries, scooters, and very muscular men pulling insanely overloaded carts. People can spend hours stuck in traffic jams, especially around Kariakoo Market.
*There are a few roundabouts in the downtown, which the locals call "keeplefties" because they thought that the sign advising drivers to "Keep Left" when entering the roundabouts was the name of this fascinating Mzungu invention. Mzungu is the Swahili word for "white" foreigners. It is not derogatory; more along the lines of calling a white person a Caucasian.
*When parking on the street in Dar, find a spot to park, then lock your doors and leave. When you return, a parking attendant wearing a yellow florescent vest will approach you for payment. The fee is 300 Tzs for one hour. The attendant should either hand you a ticket or it will already be on your windshield. DO NOT leave without paying if there is a ticket on your windshield, because the attendant will been forced to make up for the missing money, and probably only earns 3000 Tzs a day at best.
Carjackings are uncommon but opening doors or jumping through open windows to steal valuables is not. Keep your windows closed and doors locked. Reports have arisen of thieves aiming for golden and silver earrings at traffic lights, simply ripping them out. When stopped at traffic lights or parked in unattended locations, thieves have been known to steal mirrors, paneling, spare tires and anything that is not either engraved with the license plate number or bolted to the vehicle's body. Choose your parking spots carefully and don't leave valuables in plain sight. You can either offer the parking attendant a small tip to watch your vehicle, 500 to 1000 Tzs, or find a secured parking lot, especially if your leaving the vehicle overnight. Hotels often provide such parking areas.
Routes
Dangers and annoyances
*Tanzanians drive very fast and won't hesitate to overtake in a blind curve or even when there are oncoming vehicles. Always be vigilant.
*The number of drunk drivers involved in serious vehicular accidents has dramatically increased in recent months. Although there are laws against driving under the influence, like many other laws they are poorly enforced, especially at night. Exercise caution when driving at night and around popular nightspots.
*Anytime a dignitary or senior government official is traveling in Dar, police will stop traffic in all directions to ensure the path from their departure point to destination is clear. This can result in extremely long waits and serious traffic congestion that can take hours to clear. Whether you are driving or taking a taxi, ensure that you have factored in these frequent road blocks which could easily add one hour to your travel time to the airport.
NOTE: A senior government official has suggested that the Government purchase helicopters to ferry officials and dignitaries to and from the airport and around town in a bid to reduce traffic congestion. Needless to say that this request was not well received by representatives from the various donor countries and international aid agencies.
*If you are involved in an accident with a pedestrian, drive to the nearest police station and advise them. DO NOT exit your vehicle and attempt to resolve the situation even if it looks safe. If they need assistance use your cell phone to contact police for assistance. Tanzanians are some of the nicest people you will meet in all of Africa, but they have been known to take matters, like most of Africans, into their own hands. This is largely due to their mistrust of the police and the belief that anyone with money, e.g. 'rich foreigners', can buy their way out of a problem, which creates false expectations, and hostility.
There are no formal taxi companies in Dar-es-salaam nor are there any contact centers reachable 24 hours a day (or at any time). Taxi drivers are not associated to any public transport company (they run their own business) but they are regulated by the government. Look for white license plates and a taxi number painted on the side. Taxis also have official receipts. The cars have a recognizable paint job and always stay parked at specific points across the city (in great numbers), some few of them even during the night, but can only be reached via personal mobile phones. Taxi fares are not fixed.
During the night, taxis are still available, but they remain at their usual corners around the city and can only be reached via their personal mobile phones. Since most streets outside city center (and even within) lack any type of light source it is recommended NOT to walk down dark streets past alleyways to those corners where the taxis stay during the night. This means service is unreliable service at times as the taxi driver is usually contacted by the tourist via cell phone. You can risk getting stuck at potentially unsafe locations with no light and alone in a strange city unless you arrange to obtain the cell phone number of a reliable driver in advance to drive you by arrangement.
A price must be negotiated before you begin traveling, or the price will be considerably higher once you reach your destination. It is not customary to tip your driver. While there are many friendly and honest drivers, some will try their luck and quote an outrageous price to anyone who looks wealthy. Even if you can't see another taxi around, don't agree to it. Another taxi is sure to be just around the corner. It is quite practical to begin walking in the direction you want to go. You'll either find one on the side of the road or one will drive past, but it can be an iffy situation. Cars owned by drivers are often very well maintained; taking a smooth air-conditioned trip around Dar is entirely possible if you know the right driver!
If you plan on hiring a taxi for a long journey, inspect the quality of the tires, some are extremely worn.
Don't hesitate to tell the driver to slow down. "Pole Pole" in Swahili.
To/from the airport to/from the city center - the average price is 15000 Tzs. This can sometimes be negotiated down, especially if you pay in USD.
To/from city center to/from Msasani Peninsula - should run about 7,000 Tzs, more commonly 10,000.
For a small premium you can avoid very much trouble; you can reserve a taxi for the whole day or evening. This can be convenient as well as safer if you are visiting a number of places and doing some shopping. You should be able to get that for 30000 Tzs.
Small, three-wheeled Indian vehicles, these are popular as they cost approximately half the equivalent taxi fare and are able to travel alongside the roads when blocked by the inevitable traffic jams. They have a reputation for being rather dangerous, and some drivers appear to be too young for a driving license. Up to three people can fit in the seat behind the driver.
The most common form of public transportation in Dar is the mini-van which goes by the name "daladala". These vans ply a specific route with the start and ending point clearly marked on the front of the vehicle. At the main stations (Ubungo, Posta, Mwenge) daladalas from each route stop to collect passengers at the same stop at the station. It's fine to ask someone where to find the daladala you're looking for, the newspaper/phonecard sellers are often quite helpful.
You can jump on and off anywhere along the route by simply yelling out, "Shusha!" (pronounced SHOO-sha).
Their popularity is due to their ready availability and low cost, (about TSh400/= per ride). Cost varies by route, longer rides such as Posta-->Mombasa are Tsh450/=. The fare is indicated on the outside of the daladala, normally painted onto the door). However, tourists should be aware that drivers will pile in as many people as possible, there is no a/c, some drive like maniacs, and the overall condition of the vehicles is poor, with many frequently breaking down along the way. That being said, travelers should not hesitate to use them for getting around. Watch out for pickpockets as you get into and leave crowded vehicles. Except for early in the day, daladalas often have change (more than most restaurants/dukas (stores)), so it's actually often a pretty good place to break a Tsh 10,000/= bill.
It helps if you know a little Kiswahili and are at least a little familiar with the city when using daladalas. If you’re trying to get to the city center, hop onto any daladala marked 'posta'. They all go to the central post office on Maktaba/Azikiwe St. Since they tend to be very crowded, you should guard your belongings. This is especially true when you are at large bus stations such as Mwenge.
Boarding daladalas in city centre stations (Posta, Kariakoo) is a competitive undertaking during the evening rush. It's easier to avoid leaving the city center during the peak of the rush hour, 4:30 to 6:30PM. Often, if there are many people waiting for a certain daladala (like the popular Ubungo to Posta) and there is a scramble to get on, if you just wait for the next one you'll have no problem getting on, and might even get a seat!
Pickpockets are at work at outlying daladala terminals after the sun sets. Have awareness of your pockets, especially when boarding a bus. Turn that awareness meter up if you are boarding from Mwenge or Ubungo.
The best part of using the daladala system is that locals will often strike up friendly conversations and are always willing to help you with your Kiswahili. Travel by daladala can be quite enjoyable so long as you are on the correct route.
A nice daladala day trip is from town to [Bagamoyo], about a 90-minute trek north of the city. It's easiest to catch the yellow-striped bus from Mwenge. The cost is TSH 1,500 (May 2009). From the stand in Bagamoyo you can take a bajaji (think 3-wheeled golf cart) to historic sites including 13th century ruins, a 19th century German garrison, and a very colorful seafood market on the beach. Getting back to Dar es Salaam, you'll be pushing your luck if you delay much past 5PM.
You may organize either a great day trip to Mikumi National park or 3 day safari to Selous, if you can afford it. For day trip arrangement you leave Dar at 05.00am drive straight to Morogoro have your breakfast then proceed to Mikumi National park, spend the day exploring the park then start driving back to Dar at 03.30pm. Price depend on the number of pax although $ 300 per person for 2 guests is reasonable for day trip. Shrike Safaris, [www.shrikesafaris.org][url=http://www.shrikesafaris.org/].]☎ +255 756 243 686 safari@shrikesafaris.org. This tour operator may organize this trip for you.
Another great day trip, head out to Bongoyo Island. Bongoyo is a small, uninhabited island just off the coast. The boat to Bongoyo leaves from Mashua Waterfront Bar & Grill at Slipway, the upscale set of shops and markets on the Msasani Peninsula, just north of Dar es Salaam. A taxi from the city center should run you 8,000 Tsh. The first boat leaves at 9:30AM, with others at 11:30AM, 1:30PM and 3:30PM, with a minimum of four people. The ferry cost 25,000Tsh which includes a round trip plus the US$10 for the marine park fee. The return ferries are at 10:30AM, 12:30PM, 2:30PM and the last one leaves around 4:30PM. There is a small restaurant on the island which serves a variety of foods and drinks (grilled prawns, fish and chips, egg and chips, beer etc.). Another option is to buy food at the Shrijee's supermarket at Slipway. You can relax without having to worry about anyone stealing your things on Bongoyo. Take a hike around the island, snorkel in the clear waters to the southwest of the island (snorkeling gear may be rented on the island for 6,000Tsh per set per day) or just relax under a banda on the beach. Bandas are 5,000Tsh and a chair costs 1,500Tsh for the day. On the weekend, be sure to get on the first ferry if you want a banda, it gets very busy on Saturday and Sunday. When you come back, you can get ice cream or a meal at several of the Slipway restaurants and watch the sun set. You can also check out the Tinga Tinga paintings and other crafts at the market. Walk to the south (toward the Doubletree Hotel) from the main part of Slipways, past the boatyard, to find many cheaper market stalls.
Mbudya Island is a smaller island just north of Bongoyo. To visit, take a taxi or bajaji to the White Sands Hotel, located near Kunduchi. Two-way tickets can be purchased for 10,000 Tsh per person, with a minimum of 4 people per boat, and there is an additional 10,000 Tsh park fee when you get to the island. The popular side of the island has beaches, bandas, a small bar, and a food pavilion (though the menu is very limited). Beers go for about 3,000 Tsh. There is also a somewhat nicer, though more expensive, bar on the northern end of the beach. The rest of the island is mostly rough cliff face, which can make for some interesting hiking, though this is not advised if you don't have good shoes and dependable balance (the rocks are very sharp and scrambling is sometimes required). The last boats back to White Sands leave between 4:30 and 5:00pm, though you can stay a bit longer if you are willing to take a smaller, overcrowded boat back to the Sea Breeze hotel, which is south of White Sands.
For a great excursion in the city to see the "real Dar," you should do an "Investour." Investours [http://investours.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13&Itemid=18[/url] runs microfinance poverty tours, and you get to meet and talk to local entrepreneurs, see the Mwenge woodcarvers market in a behind-the-scences experience, and even have a local Tanzanian lunch with some of the craftsmen. Your fee is then used as an interest-free microfinance loan given to the entrepreneur of your choice--out of the ones you met during the day. Most people come to Dar without experiencing directly these aspects of the city: abject poverty and the desire of most individuals from all over Tanzania to strike it big here. It is an important cultural part of Dar es Salaam, and an Investour tour should definitely be something to consider. For people who enjoy reality TV shows, this type of excursion is especially popular. Maybe the tour-givers are fans, too? You get to award the popularity contest winner, and send away the others!
At Slipways, the Waterfront Bar and Grill is decent and is open long hours, but the best dining experience is on The Terrace, which generally opens around 7PM on weeknights and 6PM on weekends. The coffee shop next to The Terrace served pretty good food and excellent coffee.
There are quite a number of night clubs in Dar es Salaam. Probably the most popular in City Centre is Bilicanas, which is lively. It is popular with locals and ex-pats alike. There is some prostitution, but it's not a hot spot for it. Music is varied, depending on the night, from local to Congolese to dance to hip-hop. (The only time I've ever heard hip-hop played right before Aqua's "Barbie Girl"; the place goes nuts when they play cheesy songs). California Dreamers is another nearby club, but it is too popular with prostitutes to recommend. There are numerous other smaller clubs that can be fun, but harder to get to. On the Peninsula, Sweeteazy has great live bands, sometimes with their own dancers every Thursday and Saturday evenings. There is always a mixed Tanzanian/expat crowd dancing. Cover charge is Tsh 10,000 but if you have supper there it's free!
It is possible in the Pugu Hills, some 12 KM west of the airport. Selected villagers can assist as guide for a hike around the Pugu Hills or to the major cattle market of Dar es Salaam. Arrangements are through the Pugu Hills Nature Centre ([http://www.puguhills.com]). For directions to Pugu Hills see web site.
If you enjoy a chillout evening, the Mediterraneo Lounge has a large collection of chill-out music. At the Mediterraneo Hotel & Restaurant Lounge you can enjoy the fantastic view of the Indian Ocean while sipping your favorite drink, and listening to the best lounge & chill-out music in Dar Es Salaam. More in town and therefore somewhat less romantic but still beautiful, on the peninsula, check out very attractive Coral Beach Restaurant ($$$), right on the ocean, where you can watch the sun set.
Try High Care Massage at the Slipway for a very professionally organized place. There are signs for lots of other massage and spa centres around town. Two places favored by ladies in landcruisers are Lemon on Haile Selassie Road (next to George & Dragon pub) or The Spot on Chole Road (opposite the taxi stand).
There are modern cinema halls like Cineplex in Nyerere road at the Quality Centre Mall (which is the largest Cinema in Dar-es-Salaam), Century Cinemax at Mlimani City (tel. 0715 246362)and New World Cinema on Bagomoyo/Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road (tel. 022 277 1409) The latter hosts the annual European and Asian film festivals. You can buy DVDs on every corner but beware, many are defective Chinese counterfeits, poorly produced, and/or lack English translation.
The Yacht Club on the Peninsula is a gorgeous place but requires membership fees. You can enter as someone's guest and swim (in safety) or boat. It, and other places around town, offer scuba-diving lessons. Gymkhana, on Gymkhana Road in town, has tennis courts and a nice golf course. Coco Beach is a public beach on the Peninsula which is very busy on weekends. Go any afternoon to see people relaxing, and eat local food. Don't walk on the beach at night (sometimes in daylight) as muggings are too frequent. A few people surf here when waves swell a bit around the full moon. You can sometimes surf or kite surf at the beaches south of Dar, e.g. at Kasa Beach Hideaway (fantastic wide beach and surfable waves in June). There's yoga three times a week (Mondays Golden Tulip Hotel, Thursday and Saturday at Dar Fitness Centre) and capoeira at 6PM at the Little Theatre (beginners on Mondays, intermediate Wednesdays), and tae kwon do also at the Little Theatre, Wednesdays at 6. Kickboxing is also available.
Read weekly 'What's Happening in Dar' and 'Advertising Dar' to get all the news of what's going on, including weekend get-away specials. There are always events like dance and music performances, artist openings at painting and photography galleries, movie festivals etc. [url=http://www.ambafrance-tz.org/-Alliance-Francaise-in-Dar-es-]Alliance Francaise[/url],[url=http://www.goethe.de/ins/ts/dar/enindex.htm?wt_sc=tanzaniav]Goethe institute[/url], Iranian and Russian cultural centres offer special events along with some occasionally sponsored by Embassies.
*Mikadi Beach Lodge is 1 km from the Kigamboni Ferry and an excellent place to stay or enjoy the beach. Entrance is TSH3000 but an overnight is recommended
Wildlife safari options include budget camping safaris,lodge safaris, luxury tented camps and budget lodges.
For kangas (or khangas), colorful, sarong-like pieces of cloth with Swahili sayings along the bottom, try Kariakoo market or the cloth market on the streets around it. The market has moved a bit recently, but check around south end of Jamhuri St., where there are many textile shops. Here you can also buy kitenge, twice the length of kangas and usually cut in half to form a complete outfit, for around Tzs 4000 each. Try asking in here if you want something like a dress made to measure. Kariakoo is also a good place for fresh food. Watch out for pickpockets.
The wholesale textile markets are on Uhuru St. in the Mnazi Mmoja district near Kariakoo, although the number of people and the attention can be overwhelming for some visitors. It helps to speak Swahili, and if you can, go during the week rather than on Saturdays. Its a much more enjoyable experience on a weekday, since there are less people around you can chat with the sellers and there is less high-pressure haggling. The Uhuru Street sellers are wholesalers, so unless you feel you're being quoted a very inflated price, it is difficult to bargain.
*T shirts, Batiks, Khanga, Masai Material,Kikoy, Tye & Dye Clothings,Arts & Crafts, Masai Beads, and other popular souvenirs.
Carvings and other touristy souvenirs can be found all over Dar. Remember that [wiki=2d006605bb53b8f95322148507581a35]haggling[/wiki] is expected.
There is a fantastic craft market in Mwenge, the Mwenge Carvers' Market. Here you can watch many of the artists make the crafts that are sold throughout the country (although some crafts sold in Tanzania are imported from Kenya). Prices range from expensive to extremely cheap. There are many stalls selling similar things, and if you are savvy, you might be able to pit the vendors against each other. The perk of the Mwenge market is the sheer volume of crafts to choose from. If you like the style of something at a specific store (they tend to carry items made by one or two artists), and you have some time, you can meet the artist and have them custom make something for you. The market closes at dusk. Shopping around this time gets you the best deals.
There is a smaller market at Slipway, which is a good place to get Tinga Tinga paintings and large batiks as well.
Local paintings are often executed in a style unique to Tanzania, "tinga-tinga", named after the artist who founded the style, Edward Said Tinga Tinga. Some good places to find them are at the Slipway market, and in the alley off of Haile Selassie Road on the Peninsula. The alley is to the left of Shrijee's Supermarket - look for the art sellers on Haile Selassie Road, and the alley is on the opposite side of the road. There are also tailors, sandal-makers, and charity/craft/wholefood shops on this alley (not to mention the booze shop). The Tinga Tinga artists' collective itself is at the end of the alley, through a doorway, so don't get too distracted by the smaller art shops outside.
In November 2006, the brand new Mlimani City shopping complex opened. A Shoprite supermarket and a Game department store, both South African chains, are open for business seven days a week. Although it is a fair distance from the city center, it can be reached by taking a dalla dalla or taxi to the Mwenge bus terminal, and walking approximately ten minutes further past the craft market (see below).
If you run out of things to read, there are some surprisingly well stocked branches of the English language bookshop called A Novel Idea. See the Books section a little further down for a list of stores.
There is a good selection of electronics and appliance vendors on Samora Avenue.
There are a number of book stores near the Askari monument at Samora Ave & the Posta Road, selling mostly academic texts / school books.
* A local chain that sells a wide selection of imported English language books: novels, childrens' books, reference, non-fiction. A pleasant place to spend a few hours.
* Same location in downtown Dar es Salaam since 1966. Stop by for a huge selection of local literary and academic works, as well as international bestsellers. We stock textbooks for all levels from pre-school to University as well as professional and personal development titles. Are are able to source books and/or consolidate custom orders from both within Tanzania, and internationally. Also great place to buy all books by Tanzanian publisher [url=http://www.mkukinanyota.com]Mkuki na Nyota Publishers[/url].
* Mlimani City has a bookstore as well.
If you're looking for an authentic shopping experience, a visit to Kariakoo market, especially on Saturday morning, could be just the thing. Kariakoo is the cheapest market in Tanzania. If you want to buy cheap souvenirs, this is the place for you. If you're a Muzungu (i.e. white person) shop owners will try to charge you much more that is worth. But that will be cheaper than what you get in the city or everywhere else in Tanzania. General rules: African necklaces should not be bought for more than 2000 shilings (the correct price is TS1000 but you won't get that price easily), small drums should be bought for as much as TS4-5000 and soft stone products (hearts, plates, small animals, jewelry boxes etc) should not be purchased for more than 10,000 shillings. In Kariakoo you can also find cool yet useful presents, like kerosene lamps or pans (as in pan and brush) made from used metal - look for ones with commercial logos printed all over. My favourite is a funnel made from a hair spray container. There are also nice baskets, stools, bowls etc.WARNING: This is not for everyone. The market is VERY crowded and for some the smells and noises can be overwhelming. If you're keen but hesitating, it might be best to find a Tanzanian friend or person familiar with the market to help you navigate around. DO NOT bring any valuables and only bring a small amount of money that you wish to spend, as pickpockets work the area and in the commotion your watch, cell phone, mp3, sunglasses and wallet can be expertly removed, or your nice leather handbag slashed with a razor. Even seasoned Kariakoo shoppers occasionally fall prey to these sophisticated teams of thieves.
[wiki=2d006605bb53b8f95322148507581a35]Haggling[/wiki]: Haggling is expected when purchasing almost anything in Dar. Although it is true that most merchants quote much higher prices to tourists than locals, sometimes three times the price, negotiations should still be undertaken with respect and good humour. Don't expect to pay the same as a local and don't be insulted when you aren't. The reality is that you probably have more money in your pocket than many Tanzanians see in a year. This also applies to backpackers. Remember the extra dollar or two you paid for that carving will most likely be used to buy food for the family. None of these merchants are rich. If you think it's too expensive leave and look elsewhere, but don’t call them thieves.
Mitumba is the Swahili word for second-hand stuff, the hand-me-downs of the developed world, and Ilala Market has some of the best and cheapest mitumba you can find in Tanzania. Sweaters, jeans, shoes, bags, etc. With an extra emphasis on that etc. Also you can find handcrafted jewelry (bracelets, anklets, earrings, and such) at good prices, making it a good place to buy simple gifts en masse. There's plenty of street food. Its stalls and kiosks are in tight, narrow quarters and it feels a bit claustrophobic, so it's not ideal for all travelers.
When it comes to expensive souvenirs, Tanzania has cornered the market with a gemstone that can only be found (mined) in Tanzania, hence the name tanzanite. Shops selling this exquisite blue stone are located in all major cities and towns, especially those popular with tourists like Zanzibar, Arusha and Dar. Your biggest problem will be knowing that what you're getting is the real thing and worth the money you're shelling out for it.
The rule of thumb is the darker the gem the more expensive it is, to a point. Too light or too dark colored tanzanite is genuine just not as sought after as the mid range stones. But like all things there is much more to a stone's value than just its color so do your homework if you plan on spending a lot on one of them.
Grading is on an alphabetical scale with AAA being the best and C being the least valued or consumer grade. Expect to pay as much as US $450 per carat for AAA. The system is simple and universally accepted among miners and the gemstone dealers they sell to. AAA is the term reserved for the very finest pieces that they very rarely find. Then comes AA, A, B, C. These represent the various levels of desaturation. Look for hue, tone, and saturation. The numeric optimum range for tanzanite is 4(lighter)- 6(darker) on a 1-10 scale, where the stone is neither too light or too dark. AAA top grade stones lie in the 6 range.
If, like most visitors, you're new to this gem, buying from a reputable shop, such as Lothys at the Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski or Tanzanite Dream might be more expensive but you're assured of what you're getting. Nonetheless, there are several other good shops around Dar where you can get nice pieces or simply buy the gems and have them set back home. Like all things, negotiating is key. If you are a serious tanzanite buyer looking for quality and selection then you should definitely check out The Tanzanite Dream [http://www.tanzanites.net/] located just outside the city centre on the Mataka road behind the fire station. Other reputable shops to buy best tanzanite are Gem Point, Royal Jewellers, Queens Jewellers located at Indiragandhi street, in the center of town.
Traditional Tanzanian food can be had on almost any street. From grilled meats (mishikaki) to BBQ corn on the cob, and chips and eggs (chips mayai). If you're looking for something a little more sanitary, there are a number of small hotels and restaurants that serve a buffet style meal at lunch time which offers a variety of Tanzanian stews, deep fried fish and chicken, and vegetables. Some good choices:
* Sammy's Good Food @ Quality Center Mall, Pugu Road 1st Floor.
Serves Indian food, Chinese food, pizza, burgers & lot more.
So eat, relax & have fun. 0765726697
* Summy's (aka "Street Chicken") ($) Jamhuri Street NE of Morogoro Road. Grilled marinated chicken, mishkaki, Indian food.
* City Garden ($$) on Garden Avenue, SE side, between Ohio Street and Pemba Road. Fine outdoor ambience, extensive menu, affordable prices, fast service, free bread, real butter, coconut sauces, chocolate to die for!
* New Africa Hotel on the corner of Sokoine Drive and Maktaba/Azikiwe Street.
* Chef's Pride ($$) Chagga St. A very popular local eatery with Tanzanian food, plus pizza and Indian.
* Royal Chef ($$) on Lumumba Street at Morogoro Road. Run by the same people as Chef's Pride but with a Zanzibar ambiance.
* Durban Hotel ($) two streets past Royal Chef on the right. Excellent selection of Tanzanian, Chinese, and Indian dishes at reasonable prices. Excellent fish fresh daily. At night, however, single men may be approached by prostitutes nearby.
* Local "hoteli's" or restaurants can be found on just about every major street. Most serve ugali, rice or chapati with beans, meat or fish stews, and mishitaki (grilled kebabs).
For something even more upscale, try the Sunday Brunch at the Kilimanjaro Hotel. The restaurant on the ground floor offers a wide variety of mainstream Western dishes but also includes several local favorites adapted, meaning less oil/fat and less use of spices. It's not cheap, about 30,000 Tzs per person, but is for those interested in trying Tanzanian cuisine without risking gastrointestinal complications sometimes experienced by the uninitiated. Please note: the buffet contains all you can eat smoked salmon of the highest quality, among other delicacies! Note the listing of all other offerings below:
Addis in Dar ($$$) (on Ursino Street, in the Regency Estates neighborhood) This little known and out of way restaurant is superb. Addis is an Ethiopian restaurant that offers excellent food costing about Tzs 13,000 per dish. They serve chicken, beef, lamb and vegetarian dishes (mostly stews, but some come without sauce) on a bed of injera, a moist and springy Ethiopian flatbread. The decor is fantastic and the atmosphere is excellent as well, with a rooftop dining area. Try the Ethiopian honey wine before your meal and the beautifully presented coffee after. Often fills up so book ahead particularly if you are in a group. Phone 0713 266-299 or 0756 888-488.
* Rehovot Ethiopian Restaurant ($$) on Ali Bin Said, a side road off of Bagomoyo Road. Very close to Twiga Pub. You can see the sign for it on Bagomoyo Road, between Namanga/Kimweri and Haile Selassie. This is a new restaurant. Owned by an Ethiopian/Tanzanian couple. Really good food and simple but pleasant Ethiopian decor, in a kind of garden yard. We finished up with real Ethiopian spiced tea. They also sell Ethiopian clothes and play fantastic Ethiopian music on a good sound system. Teruwork formerly created dishes for Addis in Dar. Phone 0713 764-908 or 0784 235-126.
Al-Basha ($$) is the best middle-eastern food in Dar. They have two locations. City center on the corner of Morogoro and India Street and at the Mayfair Plaza in Mikocheni near the US Embassy.
* Nargila ($$) (difficult to reach by taxi) The first time don't go for dinner - go for the delicious comprehensive selection of appetizers (hummus is great!) to get an idea of cuisine offerings. Then go back and order your favorite. Also stay for the extensive drinks menu, hookahs and the belly dancers. At/near Oysterbay, near the Ugandan High Commission (you must tell the taxi driver this or he will never find it). Owned by an Israeli woman, very popular and the place to go for all the Jewish holidays as the cuisine offerings change for the holiday. Phone +255756547754.
Green Masai Restaurant & Cafe ($$) in Vikawe Street, Regent Estate, Mikocheni. This is a new restaurant, bar and coffee shop, owned by an Italian family. Here you can taste a dish of pasta or grilled meat and fish in a relaxing green garden or in the "makuti" lounge. You can visit just for a drink or a coffee. Internal parking is available, and if needed the staff will be pleased to call a taxi or a bajaj to pick you up after. Access from Shoppers Mikocheni: take Ursino Street, turn right at the 1st street, then left in Chato Street; go straight until you see a container bar, and turn right into the street on the opposite side; go straight, turn left at the 1st street and go on until you see the place on your left. Access from AAR Hospital on Chato Street: go straight and turn at left at the 1st street, then right at the 1st street; go on until you see the place on your right. Phone +255715399523 (English) or +255653517299 (Kiswahili). Website [url=http://www.greenmasai.com]www.greenmasai.com[/url]
*Upscale dining in a luxurious environment, Belvedere offers the quintessential experience for a modern twist in Dar es Salaam. Mediterranean, Indian & oriental cuisines are all offered, with the luminous centralized bar, elegant lounge, private dining room - Belvedere has it all!
SeaCliff Village and Slipway (peninsula), Harbor View Suites Mall (Samora Ave), and the Steer's Complex (Ohio Street) has many fast-food eateries in one place, as well as shopping. Limited menus of Indian food, pizza, burgers, sandwich shops, ice cream and confectioners.
For upscale meals, visit the Dar es Salaam Serena (formerly Mövenpick, even more formerly: the Royal Palm Hotel), The Holiday Inn, Kilimanjaro Hyatt Regency Hotel in the City Center.
All of these hotels offer excellent fixed-price breakfast buffets, which often include sparkling wine, and can be a good value.
* Akemi Restautant. Tanzania's only rotating restaurant. Located at Ohio road in Golden Jubilee Towers in the city center.
* Zens Bar & Restaurant open every day from 6.30AM to 11PM. Located in Mikocheni “B” at Exclusive Resort Opposite St. Laureate Int. School, Kwa Warioba, Msikiti street. +255 22 278 0440 EXT.126
* Spurs SeaCliff Village. ($$$) Good burgers, steaks, Mexican food, salad bar (nothing particularly amazing, but quite possibly the only salad bar in Dar), milk shakes, ice cream desserts. Lots of wealthier families bring their (often noisy) children here, as there is a play area.
* Karembezi Cafe SeaCliff Village. ($$$) Good salads and soups as well as steaks, and an excellent fish platter which is for two people but can be shared by 3 if ordering other items as well. You have the Indian Ocean views and it can be very pleasant and sometimes windy. Service is good but can be slow over the weekend.
*International cuisine and a variety of cocktails.
Chef's Pride Near the budget hotels in the Indian quarter. It caters mostly to tourists, but is very reasonably priced and has a good local menu.
* Milap is a vegetarian Indian restaurant with very cheap prices.
* Subway near the YWCA. Air-conditioned and all of the usual offerings. Great, quick served subs and other treats!
* YWCA near the Cathedral, has a delicious and cheap canteen where you can order a traditional Tanzanian meal for under Tzs 2,000.
* YMCA the other side of the cathedral from the YWCA. Along the same lines as the YWCA but has a wider range of fare, it has meals in the evenings (the YWCA does not), and it serves alcohol. It's the only budget place in the city center that does.
* Steers Complex on Ohio street has several restaurants in one area. Burgers, pizza and Chinese stir fry.
The best place to eat in terms of best price and atmosphere, is on the street. Places to try include the corner of Morogoro road and Jamhuri street, or the large open space in front of the Dar Express bus company ticket office. Chipsi mayai(chips in an omelet) should be about 1000 or 1200 shillings.
Some great places to eat fresh, inexpensive, tasty local food outdoors, but under shade, where you will be served from vats are:
*Chinese Restaurant on the corner of Samora and Mirambo. It also serves more expensive Chinese food in the basement.
*Holiday Out on Garden, just past the Southern Sun Hotel which used to be called the Holiday Inn. There are three separate places serving food here.
*Steers Out on Samora, just east of Steers.
All serve vegetarian (beans, rice, cooked bananas, greens, other) for around Tsh 2000 or with meat (beef, chicken, lamb, fish) around Tsh 4000. The clientele is mainly young Tanzanians with office jobs, many of whom speak English. All three of these restaurants are a few minutes walk from Mirambo where many Embassies are.
Florida Inn near the UN building by the ferry port, offers South African Castle (which Tanzanians insist on pronouncing "Castel") on tap, as well as nice air conditioning and a pool table upstairs.
* New Protein Bar, down the street from Chef's Pride. Good food and cheap. Sidewalk seating. The only bar in the Indian section of Dar near the budget hotels.
The Slow Leopard A great bar and restaurant to go and get a cold beer and a great burger. The best place to watch sport in town especially rugby!
* Zen's Bar & Restaurant Zens Bar has a wide selection of drinks in a tranquil atmosphere. Find us in Mikocheni “B”at Exclusive Resort Opposite St. Laureate Int. School, Kwa Warioba, Msikiti street. CALL US AT: +255 2202780440 Ext.126
* Q Bar, tel +255 22 211 2667, +255 754 282 474, Haille Selassie Road, Oysterbay area. A large bar and restaurant which can get crowded and noisy when major football games are shown on giant screens or on Friday night when there is live music. Daily drink specials. Famous as prostitute hangout. Large crowd of locals and foreigners (usually men).
* O'Willie's Irish Whiskey Tavern tel +255 22 260 1273 at the Peninsula Hotel, near the Slipway is now the Cape Town Fish Market
* Kibo is another popular spot.
* Jackie’s Bar & Restaurant (Haille Selassie Road, Oysterbay) is more laid-back.
City Centre:
*Pop Inn Hotel, Sofia Kawawa Street, single from 10000 Tsh, double from 15000 Tsh. Some might think it a dump of a place with tiny, grimy, windowless rooms. It's the cheapest in town, and it seldom gets fully booked. Due to the rising price of oil, the inn has increased the prices per room per night to 10.000 for a single; double or triple: 15,000. Conveniently located 10 minutes walk from the city center. Lockpads are available, but bring a lock with you.
*Tamarine Guest House, Sofia Kawawa Street, single from 10000 Tsh, double from 15000 Tsh. Slightly nicer than the Pop Inn, often fully booked. Lockpads. Ten minutes walk from city center.
*Safari Inn, tel 022-2138101, around Libya Street, has singles with private bathroom from usd 20000Tsh per night with simple breakfast. 30000Tsh per night for double with fan. 35000 for AC. The hotel has an Internet café, and there are restaurants nearby.
*YWCA, just next to the YMCA, offers singles with fan and shared bathroom for 10,000 TSH per night and "family rooms", which also can be rented by one person, with a small fan for 8000 TSH. Rooms and bathrooms are clean. Basic breakfast is included. They are developing a reputation for not honoring reservations, based on a local situation of enough cheap accommodations and many 'no shows'. Can be noisy.
*YMCA, round the corner from the YWCA, opposite the new Holiday inn on Makataba Street. Rooms are 20'000 / 25'000/- for single / double, less if you are a Tanzanian resident.
*Econo Lodge, tel [+255 22] 211 6048, close to the Safari Inn, has nice single rooms with private bathroom for 20000 TSH per night.
*Jambo Inn Hotel, tel [+255 22] 211 4293, on Libya Street close to Econolodge, double room with a fan with private bathroom for 26000 TSH per night, single 20.000 TSH. In hotel Internet and restaurant. This place is the primary favored backpacker hotel in the centre. Good restaurant, slow Internet connection.
*Holiday Hotel, Located on Jamhuri Street. An old colonial-era building that has been managed by the same Indian family for three generations. Singles with shared bath for around 15,000, en suite doubles for 25,000. Has alot of character but is a bit run down and the mattresses are old in some rooms.
Elsewhere:
*CEFA Hostel If you don't want to spend too much and get a clean room with a good service, this hostel will serve you well. Situated in Mikocheni B, on Old Bagamoyo Road, breakfast included, starting from $25. The hostel is run by CEFA, an Italian NGO that helps finance its rural development projects in the inner part of the country with the proceeds. Very kind staff, Wi-Fi connection available free for guests, a wonderful terrace with a view of the sea, excellent Italian meals for less than $4. The place usually is booked up quite quickly so it's better to book in advance.
*Passionist Fathers House is in Mikocheni B near the CEFA hostel, [+255 22] 27 80 144, ajnguma@yahoo.com, 35.000 TSH for a single, 50.000 TSH for a full breakfast for two. Rooms have mosquito nets, showers, air conditioning, wireless Internet connection and very friendly staff. They also have a safe car park. Mikocheni B is to the north of Dar es Salaam.
*Q Bar and Guest House, tel +255 22 211 2667, +255 754 282 474, qbar@hotmail.com, qbar@cats-net.com, Haille Selassie Road, Oysterbay area. A little further out of town in the Oysterbay area. Q Bar and Guest House has very clean rooms starting at USD $35, and a nice backpacker room for USD $15. Downstairs there's a large bar and restaurant which can get crowded and noisy. Football games and other events are shown on giant screens; Friday night there is live music.
*Transit Motel Ukonga [url=http://www.transitmotels.com],]tel +255 22 2843300. Located close to the Dar Es Salaam International Airport. Handy for guests with early departure flights. Small but clean houses with private showers, nice split ACs in each room. Rate from US$30.0 per room per night, B&B.
*Transit Motel Airport [http://www.transitmotels.com[/url], tel +255 22 2842177. Located close to the Dar Es Salaam International Airport. Handy for guests with early departure flights. Clean houses with private showers, split ACs in each room. Rate from US$30.0 per room per night, B&B.
*Sophia House, Hotels and Apartments , Located in City Center next to Peacock Hotel. Self service apartments that come with free laundry, breakfast and Internet. They usually charge $45/day. Hotel is clean and has good staff, each room has self contained baths and some rooms even have electric heating stovetops/hotplates to cook your own food. Every floor has a shared kitchen.
Dar has many inexpensive guest houses outside of the city centre, particularly in the area south of the university. If you feel like experiencing the real Dar as most of its residents do, ask for help finding a cheap "gesti" and be prepared to go off the beaten track.
If you're coming or going by bus there's a number of basic gestis in the Sinza area just around the corner from Ubungo bus terminal. A taxi driver should be able to help you find one in your chosen price range.
There are plenty of expensive hotels in and around Dar but here are some modern hotels which are reasonably priced:
City Centre:
*The Peacock Hotel in Dar Center is an air conditioned hotel with some luxurious rooms. For $80 (after a small bit of haggling) you will have a double room overlooking the park. The hotel has a restaurant but no swimming pool and wireless internet access.
*Next door to the Peacock is the Starlight Hotel, which isn't luxurious but very secure. You can get a double room for under $40.
*Heritage Motel [url=http://www.heritagemotel.co.tz],]tel +255 33 211 7471. Located on Bridge Street, just off Samora Avenue and near the Zanzibar ferry station. New hotel with very clean rooms starting from US$66. Includes breakfast at the Lebanese restaurant downstairs.
*Rainbow Hotel On Morogoro Road just down the street from Heritage Motel. Similar to Heritage, but a little cheaper and less upscale. Clean rooms. Opened October 2010. Fully appointed en-suite rooms from US$45; upper floor doubles (from $65) have excellent harbor views. Second floor restaurant has good Indian meals. Roof deck with panoramic city views. Free Wi-Fi. Very friendly staff.
*Harbour View Suites [url=http://www.harbourview-suites.com[/url],]tel: +255 22 2124040. Harbour View Suites on Samora Avenue occupies the top floors of a modern office building. Rooms are large and very comfortable and have a fully fitted kitchen. Rates start at US$110. Excellent breakfast for US$7.50. On the ground floor a well stocked supermarket, an Italian pizza and coffee house for take-outs and a subway sandwich shop. Internet access in all rooms and in the business center. Harbour View is currently (October 2007) fitting out two more floors and should have a restaurant and fitness center soon.
Msasani Peninsula (and beyond):
*About 5 km north of the US Embassy, on New Bagamoyo Road, is the Peacock Hotel (formerly Millennium Towers Hotel). An a/c room at this 5 star hotel can be had, with a bit of haggling, for $75, including breakfast and internet access. Although this beautiful hotel has a swimming pool, a number of bars and restaurants, a small shopping mall right next door, and a cinema within walking distance, be warned that there is nothing else worth seeing or doing within 5 km, and traffic can get so bad at certain times of the day that going anywhere, especially by dalla dalla, requires Herculean patience, copious amounts of water, and a copy of War and Peace, which should be just about right for the ride to and from the hotel.
*Mediterraneo Hotel & Restaurant, is in Kawe about 15km north of the city center, overlooking the Indian Ocean. Rooms have: air conditioning,television, safe locker in the room. The swimming pool is 10 m from the beach, and there is a free Internet point in the reception area, and wireless access around the bar & the lounge area.
*Exclusive Lodge is in the heart of Mikocheni situated at Msikiti Street opposite St. Laureate International School, Kwa Warioba, [+255[/url] 22 278 0440 Ext.126. 10km from the Mbezi beaches, 20km from the airport and 10km from the city center. All rooms have a mini-bar, a TV set with satellite channels, ironing board and mosquito nets.
* On the peninsula. Rooms for $90. In a small complex of shops and restaurants.
*Pugu Hills, a 6 hectare Nature Centre, just 12 KM from Dar es Salaam airport. There is a pool and hiking opportunities. The Centre also has a short 1 KM nature trail on the premises. For overnight stay there are 4 lovely elevated bandas in the forested area which cost 80 to 100USD including breakfast for 2 persons. Camping with your own tent is possible for 10USD per person. To visit Pugu Hills booking is required by phone +255 (0) 754 565 498 or via the website ([http://www.puguhills.com]).
*South Beach Resort [url=http://www.southbeachresort-tz.com],]tel +255 22 282 0666/67/68. The South Beach Resort is situated in Kigamboni along the South Coast of Dar es Salaam, 8 km from the East Ferry Terminal. Amenities include a/c, a private balcony overlooking the Indian Ocean (every room), satellite tv, and in-room safes. Also swimming pool, 22 seater jacuzzi, pool tables, sheesha, sports and beach bars. Weekends offer great music and great atmosphere. Water sports such as jet skiing and beach sports such as volleyball are also available. Weekdays & offdays as low as $65. Double bed & breakfast is $100. SBR also offers camping facilities for $10/night and cabana rentals for $30 per couple per night.
*Triniti | GuestHouse [url=http://www.triniti.co.tz/guest[/url]]tel:+255 756181656. Triniti is a home away from home located in the Peninsula. Only a few minutes from downtown, you feel a total different vibe. Mostly because of their magnificient omnipresent garden. Next to the Ugandan Embassy. They have 12 unique rooms which vary from 75000TSH (single), 90000TSH (double) or 105000TSH (En Suite). All rooms include A/C, large and comfy bed, mosquito net, fridge, tv, free internet Wi-Fi all around the site and freshly renovated bathrooms. To book go to their new website or contact Erika at booking@triniti.co.tz
*The Lighthouse Beach Resort [http://www.lighthousebeachresort.net/[/url], tel +255 (0)784 947 444. The Lighthouse Beach Resort is situated in Kigamboni, 40 km from the ferry between Dar es Salaam city center and Kigamboni. It has 6 bungalows, a restaurant, a bar and a panoramic rooftop. It has a private beach where it is possible to organize activities for all the family. This accommodation is advised also for couples and tourists looking for a quiet place away from the busy life of the city.
Dar also has its fair share of hotels which cater largely to foreigners traveling here for work. The rates for these hotels are typically near (or start slightly above) the maximum per diem accommodation rates for NGOs such as the United Nations or USAID. As with most things in Tanzania, there is often room for negotiation.
City centre:
*The Paradise City Hotel Tanzania [url=http://www.paradiseallsuitehotel.com]][url=http://www.paradiseallsuitehotel.com[/url]]reservations@paradiseallsuitehotel.com Tel +255 22 2200060/1/2/3.
*Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam - The Kilimanjaro [url=http://www.kempinski.com[/url]]tel +255 22 213 1111. On the harbour, located conveniently in city centre, this luxury hotel offers rooms for USD$225 and up. Great breakfast buffet, and a world class spa with Thai masseuses.
*Southern Sun tel +255 22 213 7575. A bit far from city centre but still fine for walks during the day.
*Movenpick Royal Palm +255 22 211 2416. On Ohio Road at the edge of city centre. Billets KLM and British Airways flight crews.
*Holiday Inn , near Posta. Opened mid-2010.
Msasani Peninsula:
*'Sea Cliff Hotel. Includes a beautiful pool and gym with sea view. It also includes an outpost of the excellent Alcove Restaurant, serving food similar to the one downtown.
*Alexander's Hotel [url=http://www.alexanders-tz.com[/url],]1216 Msasani, Gordon: (+255) 754 343 834
Pippa: (+255) 754 580 225, Fax: +(255) 22 2600 864. Gourmet restaurant. Boutique hotel, relaxed elegance. Satellite TV, wireless and Internet connection, safe location, fully stocked mini-bar,
tea and coffee, air conditioned, poolside rooms.
*Golden Tulip. Along Toure Drive on the way to Sea Cliff. Nice pool-side bistro.
If you want to escape the city, there are a few upscale hotels just outside of Dar.
White Sands Hotel Just off the road to [[Bagamoyo[/url]], New Bagamoyo Road, about a 45 minute drive from the city center, without all of the traffic of course. Some people may like this option as there are several scuba diving schools situated in and around the hotel.
*Eclipse Group of Hotels.
There are also some good hotels on the South Coast via the Kigamboni ferry. The beaches here are better than north of the city and have long expanses of white sand next to turquoise waters.
*Amani Beach Hotel is around 30km from Dar es Salaam and between a mid price and a splurge and prices start from $167 per bungalow which sleeps two adults and includes breakfast. There are only 10 beach bungalows so it feels quite exclusive and private and each bungalow overlooks the ocean with a big terrace and hammock. Two extra beds can be put in the bungalow for a small additional fee. Lots of facilities are available on site like a tennis court, petanque (boule,bocce,bowls) swimming pool and nature walks but you'll need to book horse riding, massages and village walks with a bit of notice. The best thing about Amani Beach Hotel is the environment - beautiful tropical gardens with monkeys running around, fish, eagles soaring overhead and there is even turtle hatching on the beach in season.
Phone: +255 82 41 00 33 or +255 786 77 55 66, Email: reservations@amanibeach.com [http://www.amanibeach.com]
*Ras Kutani This is part of the Selous Safari Company and is more of a safari lodge on the beach than a hotel. It is within easy reach of Dar es Salaam next to Amani Beach with a private landing strip. It has 9 ensuite cottages and some bigger suites on the hill all made with traditional materials. It is a very peaceful and totally relaxing place with an almost deserted long sandy beach in front.
Phone: +255 22 2128485 / 2134802", Email: reservations@selous.com, [http://www.selous.com/ras-kutani]
A little bit further away, you can find a beautiful place called The Lighthouse Beach Resort. With a relaxing "home away from home" atmosphere you can enjoy this 2.5 km beach. The place is built to fit in to the environment, and you can enjoy the beautiful view from the rooftop terrace.
Phone:+255 784 947 444 or e-mail: lighthouse@pakaadventures.com
www.lighthousebeachresort.net
Fridays closed at 12PM.
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* in case of emergencies from Tanzania: 0786-971692, from Germany: +255 786-971692
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