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Dar es Salaam is a lively dusty African city.
Whilst not particularly beautiful to the eye it is vibrant and bustling with life. There are buzzing markets, colourful street stalls and an ever busy port.
Local culture of Dar es Salaam
In the harbour, huge steel cargo boats sit alongside wooden dhows with haphazard sails and produce spilling over the sides. Fishermen can be seen selling their day's catch on the seafront, or walking along the streets passing glittering high rise buildings on one side and peddlers roasting cassava on the other.
Cosmopolitan architecture
There is a mixture of German, British, Arabic and Indian architecture, with cosmopolitan people everywhere, but underlying it all, Dar is a true Swahili city.
People idle away the time chatting, the pace of life is relaxed and the residents are friendly and welcoming to visitors. It is easy to while away an afternoon here, before continuing your journey to Tanzania's parks and islands.
who's been there
Start planning your tailor-made trip to Dar es Salaam by calling one of our Tanzania specialists on 01993 838 545
Suggested Dar es Salaam itinerary
This sample itinerary will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in Dar es Salaam, and showcases routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Classic Tanzania: Safari & Beach
Combine four days of safari in Selous Game Reserve with five days of beach relaxation on the idyllic island of Zanzibar. With this itinerary you stay in Tanzania’s largest game reserve, where game drives, walking safaris and boat trips give you a chance of spotting packs of wild dog, herds of elephant and giraffe and some of the largest populations of lion and buffalo in Africa. The bush camp gives your safari an authentic feel, while the experienced guides have an infectious passion for the wildlife you encounter. Ending your trip in Zanzibar, you explore the island’s towns, forests and spice farms, fitting in plenty of time for relaxation on the white sand beaches.
Map of Dar es Salaam
Places & hotels on the map
Places near Dar es Salaam
- Ras Kutani 17 miles away
- Bagamoyo 37 miles away
- Saadani 71 miles away
- Tanzania's Swahili Coast 94 miles away
- Pangani 100 miles away
- Songo Songo Archipelago 120 miles away
- Mikumi National Park 145 miles away
- Selous Game Reserve 168 miles away
- Southern Tanzania 211 miles away
- Mount Kilimanjaro 292 miles away
- Tarangire National Park 298 miles away
- Arusha 298 miles away
Accommodation choices for Dar es Salaam
We’ve selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Dar es Salaam. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
Southern Sun Dar es Salaam
The Southern Sun Dar es Salaam is an international-style hotel with good facilities. Whilst not an exciting hotel with lots of character, it is ideally situated in Dar and has friendly staff and good food.
Oyster Bay Hotel
The perfect place to wash off the dust after a safari or to relax and recover after an overnight flight. This is arguably one of the best small hotels in Dar es Salaam. The food is wonderful, the pool cool and inviting.