DISTANCE FROM DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTRE

Tanzania''s largest city, Dar Es Salaam, is served by Julius Nyerere International Airport (IATA: DAR, ICAO: HTDA). By car, it will take you forty-two minutes to get to the airport, which is 19.4 km from the City Centre. The exact time required to reach the city depends on a variety of factors such as weather and traffic conditions. The city is well-planned, so transport is readily available even if you arrive at odd times of the day, such as early in the morning or late at night. Getting to the main city will be an easy affair, regardless of whether you are travelling first class flights or premium economy flights from Edinburgh.

DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TRANSPORT

Dar Es Salaam Tanzania’s capital, is one of the largest cities in East Africa. Labelled as a gateway into the continent, the administration has spared no effort to ensure the airport has good connectivity with the city. Some of the different modes of transport which visitors can make use of are:-

Taxi: These operate 24/7, 365 days and are probably the most popular mode of transportation for tourists. A taxi will take you roughly 15 to 25 minutes and cost you roughly TZS 40,000 (£ 14).

Bus: Another inexpensive way of travelling from the airport. The bus fare is roughly TZS 400 (£ 0.17) and depending on traffic conditions it will take you roughly 40 minutes to reach the main city.

Pick up and drop off services: Are you travelling by first class flights or business class flights? Then you can request, the airline staff to request for pick up and drop off services from the airport. Nearly all of the airlines that fly between Edinburgh and Dar Es Salaam provide this service.

FLYING TIME FROM EDINBURGH TO DAR ES SALAAM

The journey from Edinburgh to Dar Es Salaam will take you roughly 16-17 hours, with about one or two stops along the way. No airlines operate direct flights between the two cities as they are located a considerable distance away from each other.

The precise time necessary to travel between these two cities depends on several variables such as:-

Traffic conditions at the airports

Scenario at halts

The exact route taken

Specific journey route chosen

The different stops along the route are:-

Istanbul, Turkey

Doha, Qatar

London, United Kingdom

Nairobi, Kenya

You might be travelling by business class flights or premium economy flights your luggage will be routed to the destination of your choice. This feature saves a great deal of tension and worry for travellers.

ATTRACTIONS IN DAR ES SALAAM

Nestled on the Indian Ocean Coast, Dar es Salaam is East Africa’s largest city and logistics hub. Like any other African capital, it is full of energy and boisterous people. Here, you can experience a fusion of Swahili culture and modern life. Some of the popular tourist attractions here are:-

Kivukoni: Located in Dar Es Salaam’s historical centre, you will be able to see first-hand numerous buildings which are depicted on souvenirs like postcards and china wares. The Azania Front Lutheran Church, one of Dar Es Salaam’s best-known landmarks is in this locality. The church is built in early 19th century German design, has withstood salty air and blazing sun for 100 years, and is a remnant of the German Colonial era.

Askari Monument: Marking the centre of Dar Es Salaam, this consists of a bronze statue of a soldier holding a rifle. Meaning “Soldier” in Swahili, this serves as a memorial to Tanzanian Army privates who fought for Great Britain in the First World War. Other parts of the trilogy monuments are located in the cities of Mombasa and Nairobi.

Mikumi National Park: This is Tanzania’s fourth largest National Park and is perfect for everybody looking for a weekend getaway from Dar Es Salaam. Containing large numbers of big game like Elephants, Buffaloes, Zebras and Wildebeest all those interested in exploring the great outdoors and getting glimpses of the bounty of Mother Nature must pay a visit here. To further enhance the tourist experience, the management has ensured that is accepted from international credit cards like VISA, Master Card and American Express.

Old Boma: Nearly 150 years old, the mosque built by the Sultan of Oman Majid Bin Said is the oldest standing building in Dar Es Salaam. Build right to the next-door palace, the purpose of this building was mainly to serve as a place of worship and socialising for visitors of the sultan. Now hosting a tourist information centre and having on display a permanent exhibition exhibit showcasing the architectural evolution of Dar Es Salaam. Built in classic Afro-Saracen style, it is a must visit location for all those who are spiritually minded.

Dar Es Salaam Botanical Gardens: Originally build in 1893, by the German Professor Sthulman, the botanical garden is a large park which covers an area of about 140 acres. The main motive behind the botanical garden was to establish a centre of research for plantation crops like rubber, teak, cotton, coffee. Over the years the garden has become more ornamental with added varieties of ornamental plants being introduced here. Situated on the Samora Avenue, just a few blocks away from the core of the city, it serves as a great escape from the hustle and bustle of Dar Es Salaam’s busy streets.

This dynamic city offers a fantastic mix of historical and contemporary visitor attractions. Without doubt, the memories you carry back will be with you for the rest of your life.

SHOPPING IN DAR ES SALAAM

In Dar Es Salaam, you will be able to find several shopping locations providing you with glimpses of the rich cultural heritage of Tanzania. A list of the retail locations most popular with tourists are:

Mlimani City Mall: Busy all year around and especially crowded during holidays, it is a popular destination with both expats and locals. A large shopping mall containing a variety of shops, restaurants, cinemas, and children’s fun fare this is truly an amazing place where you can go and have an enjoyable time. The most popular attractions here are the CineMax movie theatre and the bookstore selling books of many genres. 

The Tanzanite Dream: The shop has an extensive selection of pieces on display. The items on show are large-sized jewels to charming and inexpensive bangles for children, which are genuine and of high quality. Due to their passion, dedication and exceptional service, every customer visiting this jewellery shop feels welcome. Over the years, many customers of this outlet have spoken highly about the amazing experiences which they had here. Time spent here will surely leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime. 

Nyumba ya Sanaa: Meaning “House of Art” in the native language Swahili, this is a wonderful place which you should visit to learn about the history and arts in Tanzania. Put on show here are innumerable beautiful Tinga Tinga paintings, standing out with their brightly coloured animals and dots and circles. Founded nearly 40 years ago by American nuns, this art gallery contains a wide selection of local arts and crafts pieces available for sale at very reasonable prices. 

Shoppers Plaza: A supermarket has stocked everything which a tourist might require throughout their stay in the city. The Shoppers Plaza Mall is a nice shopping area with a lovely balance of food courts, banks and shops selling a variety of groceries. If you are keen on trying out fast food, then you can visit popular international chains like Subway, McDonalds and Pizza Hut here. The unique selling point about this mall is that a large range of items from the USA, UK and Asia are available at incredibly affordable prices.

Tingatinga Arts Cooperative Society: The cooperative society was founded by the famous artist Edward Tingatinga in the 1960s. Over the years, the shop has become the best place to purchase the fabulous East African Tinga Tinga paintings from local artisans. Visiting here will surely be a worthwhile experience for those interested in folk art. Artisans here work round the clock to produce authentic pieces of East African art. These paintings are the perfect souvenirs to remind you of the good times spent in the city.

Explore the markets in Dar Es Salaam and purchase souvenirs to relive your delightful journey to this magnificent city. You will undoubtedly have a unique experience when visiting this energetic capital of East Africa.

NIGHTLIFE IN DAR ES SALAAM

Being the biggest city in Tanzania, the nightlife in Dar Es Salaam has a lot to offer to all visitors. The experiences which you will have after the sun goes down will surely be memorable. A brief list of the places where you can go and have an enjoyable time are:

High Spirit Lounge and Bar: This hip and happening bar is located on top of the IT Mall Building and is popular amongst tourists for its chilled-out and relaxed vibe. This is one of the best places to visit for a romantic evening or any other special occasion. While visiting here some of the activities which you can do are dining on the delicious Mediterranean cuisine and sipping on their wide selection of wines and beers. In case you are in the mood to go dancing, then you can go and dance to a great selection of African and Western beats to keep grooving till the late hours of the night.

Q bar: This popular tourist bar was built in the year 1997 within the premises of a hotel, with the idea purpose of providing a space for people to unwind and relax. Nearly 25 years later they still strive to stick to their original motto of being a venue for a fun night out with your friends and family. You like to visit here if you want to unwind while watching a game of soccer, or enjoying some good drinks and great food. Over the years this outlet has been rated by many magazines covering developments in the hospitality sector in the city as being a venue which you can come and visit for good and affordable drinks.

Jozi Lounge: A nightclub which is popular with Dar Es Salaam''s youth, you should surely think of paying a visit here. The experience of dancing the night away to upbeat music is surely an experience which you do not want to miss out on. The main reason why this nightclub is a class apart from others is because of the regular DJ, Karaoke and DJ nights which it hosts. The spacious nightclub serves a variety of food, beers, wines and cocktails. Over the years it has won innumerable accolades as one of the best places where you can party in the city.

New Maisha Club: Whether you are looking for a restaurant with a good meal or just a club to have fun, New Maisha Club fulfils both criteria. By all means it is a wonderful way to spend the night. The management of the bar has made every effort to ensure that all requirements of partygoers are met here. Containing a large dance floor, some of the best food and drinks in Tanzania and multiple bars, you will be assured of a fun-filled night here. The only thing to keep in mind is that, if you are visiting on weekends, you should get there early as it tends to get crowded.

The Waterfront Sunset Restaurant & Beach Bar: A bar by the beach where you can kick back and relax while enjoying a drink coupled with great food and great views of the ocean. Here you will be able to sip on signature vines, and beers while enjoying foot-tapping reggae music. This further adds to the charm of this club. This is the best place where you can a game of football with your gang of guys and enjoy delicious fast food. Some great music beats playing here further complement the chilled-out vibe of the bar.

The experience which you have at night in Tanzania, can give serious competition to the most happening cities in the world. A night-owl will definitely have a really merry time in this amazing city.

WHERE TO GET FOREX CONVERTED IN DAR ES SALAAM

You should carry some copies of the Tanzanian Shilling, the local currency, if you want to travel the nation in a relaxed manner as it is the only legal tender which is accepted by establishments in the city. The following locations in the town are the places where you may go and exchange money:

Airport Exchange Counters: After landing at the airport, you can easily exchange the currency of your native country at many of the money exchange counters in the airport.

Banks: Some notable banks like the I&M Bank and CRDB Bank are some of the leading institutions where you can go and have money exchanged. The transaction fee which they will be charging from you is in the range of 2-3%.

ATM Machines: While visiting Dar Es Salaam, it is good to carry along with you credit cards which are internationally accepted like Visa, MasterCard or those issued by African Banks like CRDB. 

Currency Exchange Agencies: Dar Es Salaam also contains innumerable currency exchange locales which can be visited to get copies of the Zambian Shilling.

GREAT EATING PLACES IN DAR ES SALAAM

No visit to Dar Es Salaam can be considered complete if you do not pay a visit to the restaurants in the city. Considered to be the gateway to East Africa, a thriving food and beverage industry has come up here to cater to tourists coming on leisure trips and official purposes. The different places which you can visit to experience what Tanzania has to offer are:-

Akemi Revolving Restaurant: A revolving restaurant built on top of one of the city''s tallest buildings. The main attraction here is the breathtaking views of the city which you will be getting once you reach here. Additionally, the menu is carefully crafted to suit a variety of tastes. Every dish is prepared by skilled chefs by making use of locally sourced ingredients. Extremely popular with the Who Who''s of Dar Es Salaam this is the restaurant to pay a visit to come and pay a visit to you are looking for African hospitality with a modern touch. 

Addis in Dar: Ethiopia is another East African nation known for its tasty cuisines. The restaurant Addis in Dar brings cuisines from the country right into the heart of Tanzania. Classic dishes like aromatic sauces served on sourdough pancakes are prepeated for all those who want to enjoy the meal. Probably the most famous dish which you can try out here is the ekalichawot, chickpeas sauteed in piquant spices. Highly recommended by all who might be looking to try out quintessential African food.

305 Karafu: Located in the Kinondoni District of Dar Es Salaam, this restaurant is most popular with people looking to taste seafood dishes. The interiors are decorated in style and the restaurant lives up to its name by providing extremely tasty seafood dishes like Salmon fillets and king prawn curry. The hotel has obtained top ratings from all patrons thanks to its trained and professional staff. An outlet to pay a visit to for an evening of exotic dining.

SamakiSamaki: Tastefully combining the old, tried and tested with the modern and new, global favourites like Tuna Steaks, Prawn chillies and Grilled Octopus are brought to life in this restaurant. You will have a memorable time eating typical African dishes while gently swaying to enjoyable music played by the in-house DJ. At weekends, when you can listen to foot-tapping African music while sipping on flavoury drinks is the best time to come and visit the restaurant.

Mamboz Corner BBQ: A popular street restaurant in Dar Es Salaam with a large variety of bar-be-que food items being made available for you to taste. Having won lavish praise on numerous outlets covering developments in the food and beverage in the city, this restaurant boasts of an unbeatable combination of mouth-watering, and reasonably priced food. With its quality service, this restaurant will surely exceed all your expectations. Some of the items which you can surely try out in this hotel are the Chicken Biriyani and Mutton Sheek Kabab. Surely African food at its finest.

Containing numerous street-food restaurants and haute-cuisine outlets, Dar Es Salaam has something to cater to all budgets and preferences. If you do not try out the cuisine here, then your trip to the city will surely remain incomplete.

HOTELS STAY IN DAR ES SALAAM

Tanzania has mesmerised tourists from all over the world with its natural beauty. Additionally, Dar Es Salaam is also the administrative, economic and financial hub of East Africa. Consequently, the city is frequented by both tourists coming for purposes of leisure and official work. Given below is a small list of hotels which provide accommodation in the city.

Rombo Greenview Hotel (5 Star)

Address:- Shekilango Road, Dar es Salaam Tanzania

Containing the ideal mix of a close location to the airport, value, comfort, amenities and convenience this is a budget-friendly setting for travellers who are looking to travel in style. Most likely this is the main reason why so many travellers have decided to come and live here during their stay. 

CBD Hotel (5 Star)

Address:- Nkurumah Street Plot 2246/201, Dar es Salaam 2585 Tanzania

Built in a fusion of African and Greco-Roman architecture, the hotel offers patrons innumerable facilities for relaxation and enjoyment. Surely it is the best place where you would like to come and decide to stay after spending a long tiring day at the office or instead as a stopover between your safari excursion in Tanzania. 

Four Points by Sheraton Dar es Salaam New Africa (5 Star)

Address:- Azikiwe Street Sokoine Drive Mchafukoge, Dar es Salaam 10000 Tanzania

Located right in the heart of Tanzania''s business district and at a convenient location close to the harbour, this hotel is exceedingly popular with tourists coming to the city for official purposes. By all means, perfect for coming for business trips, with great service, fantastic food, and friendly and motivated staff. 

Giraffe Beach Hotel (4 Star)

Address: Jangwani Street Plot 169 Jangwani Beach, Dar es Salaam 9712 Tanzania

Located in the Kunduchi area of Dar Es Salaam, the property is close to many attractions and interesting dining options. Some of the convenient features of this outlet are currency exchange facilities, free WiFi in all rooms as well as complimentary airport transport. Surely the place to come and put up if you wish to come for an enjoyable stay.

Ramada Resort by Wyndham Dar Es Salaam (4 Star)

Address: 170 / 171 Jangwani Beach, Dar es Salaam Tanzania

An unbeatable blend of value, location, amenities, prices and quality service make this outlet one of the city’s most popular hotels. Popular attractions located close by are the Tinga Tinga Art Market, Mwebge Carvers Market and the Mlimani city Mall. Definitely the ideal place where you can come and put up after a tiring day spent sightseeing in the city.

White Sands Resort & Conference Centre (4 Star)

Address: Africana Road Jangwani Beach, Dar es Salaam 3030 Tanzania

The White Sands Resort and Conference Centre is situated about 25km north of Dar es Salaam and the Julius Nyerere International Airport. Built on a gorgeous private beach, this classy hotel offers a number of useful services, such as free private parking and a well-equipped fitness centre.

Peninsula Hotel Dar Es Salaam (3 Star)

Address: 4 And 6 Haille Sellasie Road Oyster Bay, Dar Es Salaam 2585 Tanzania

Located in an affluent suburb of the city, this is the best combination of hospitality, professional service and modern amenities. Numerous award-winning features such as Spa, Airport Transportation, Free Valet Parking and high-speed internet will ensure that you have a memorable stay.

Jangwani Seabreeze Resort (3 Star)

Address: Africana Road Plot 95, Mbezi Beach, Dar Es Salaam 00100 Tanzania

Popular with visitors coming to Tanzania for providing clean and affordable no-frills accommodation. The ideal place for travellers arriving late at night or departing early morning. The outlet where somebody travelling on a frugal budget should decide to put up.

There are innumerable hotels in the city where you can go put up during your stay. Owing to the charms of this beautiful city, you will definitely get many memorable experiences to take home with you. So want are you waiting for? Simply head of to Dar Es Salaam for the adventure of a lifetime.