Town · Tanzanian Coast
Dar es Salaam
Tanzania's largest city and main port, and the practical gateway for Nyerere and Ruaha National Parks and the Zanzibar ferry.
How to get there
Served by Julius Nyerere International Airport, Tanzania's busiest.
What to find
A commercial hub more than a tourist destination in itself — most travelers pass through en route elsewhere.
Overview
Dar es Salaam is Tanzania's largest city and main port, a busy, humid, fast-growing city on the Indian Ocean. It's the gateway to southern Tanzania's parks and to the ferries to Zanzibar.
It's more a transit city than a destination, but it's worth a day for its markets, beaches and museums.
Highlights
- The Kariakoo market, one of the biggest in East Africa
- The early-morning Kivukoni fish market
- The National Museum
- Island beaches such as Bongoyo, a short boat ride away
Things to do
City tour
Markets, museums and the waterfront.
Island day trip
Snorkelling and swimming at Bongoyo or Mbudya.
Onward travel
Ferries to Zanzibar and flights to Nyerere or Ruaha.
Best time to visit
All year. It's hot and humid, especially from December to March.
Getting there
Julius Nyerere International Airport. The SGR electric train also connects Dar es Salaam with Morogoro and Dodoma.
Where to stay
City hotels and beach resorts to the north of town.
Dar es Salaam
A selection of well-known options, not a complete list. See all accommodation in Tanzania →
Good to know
- Plan around the traffic. Allow plenty of time to reach the airport and ferry terminal.
Permit prices, park rules and access can change. We always confirm the latest details when we plan your trip.
From Dar es Salaam
Places to visit from Dar es Salaam
Drive times are approximate. Look up another city.