About Dar es Salaam

From being a fishing village to being one of the best metropolitan cities of the world within a century, Dar es Salaam has emerged as the cherry on top of Tanzania! The name of the city has a beautiful and apt meaning, "Haven of Peace".This beautiful commercial hub of Tanzania is also the second busiest port of East Africa. With it's outstanding but down to earth feel, the city can make anyone fall in love with itself. Dar es Salaam has a number of rich experiences to offer through beautiful beaches, amazing crafts markets, authentic restaurants, and much more. Here you will find a number of architectural marvels that are constructed either in India, African, Arab, or German style. All in all, this city will leave you mesmerized by the elements it has to offer!

Public Transport System

Dar Rapid Transit (DART), Ferry

Cleanliness and Efficiency

Efficiency: Moderate to High; Cleanliness: Moderate to High

Mode & Cost of Transports

Dar Rapid Transit

TZS 650 for approx 20 minutes

Ferry

Per person - TZS 200

Per vehicle - TZS 2000

Basic Items & Cost

Name Price
Water Bottle USD 0.28
Cup of Coffee USD 1.52
Milk Carton Pack USD 0.91
Rice/Kg USD 0.91
White Bread USD 0.46
Eggs (12) USD 1.99
Combo Meal USD 4.55
Fine Dining USD 24.62
Bottle of Coke or Pepsi USD 0.41
Domestic Beer USD 0.95
Imported Beer USD 1.33
Bottle of Wine USD 5.11
Cigarettes (20 Pack) USD 1.19
Taxi ( 1 km ) USD 1.14
Ticket in local transport (Single way). USD 0.15
Rent ( One Bed Room) USD 386.56

Do’s

  • Do greet people whenever you meet them. Swahili greetings can be learned to impress the locals.
  • Select hotels with non-muslim management if you are interested in consuming alcohol.
  • Do bargain at shops. Try talking to a local about the genuine price of the product you are planning to buy.
  • Do accept their hospitable behaviour. They sometimes express their welcoming nature physically by holding your hand, do not take it in the wrong sense.
  • Wear clothes that cover your knees and elbows because of the conservative culture of the city.
  • Drive on the left side of the road if you plan to rent a vehicle.
  • Do ask for permission before clicking a picture of any local or anything related to the military or the President.

Don’ts

  • It is a conservative country so do not wear revealing clothes.
  • Topless sunbathing or wearing a bikini on the beaches is not liked by the locals.
  • Stay away from any kind of public display of affection either between straight couples or between non-straight couples.
  • Do not refer to an unborn child to any local, it is considered a taboo there.
  • Shells, corals, etc. can not be collected and taken home as it is considered illegal there.
  • Do not bargain without limits as this insults the vendors.
  • The city has a majority of the Muslim population so eating out in public during Ramadan is prohibited.

Night Life

The Dar es Salaam city offers a subtle and down-to-earth nightlife that is worth experiencing. It is a rather relaxing experience to enjoy the life offered at night here in Dar es Salaam. You can head to bars which play the Taarab music which exhibits the Swahili culture. You just have to be careful about your clothes as some bars do not allow people with revealing clothes to enter. With nice music playing and down-to-earth spots to grab a drink at, Dar es Salaam gives you an ultimate relaxing nightlife experience.

Must See

  • National Museum & House of Culture

  • Village Museum

  • St. Joseph Cathedral

  •  Azania Front Lutheran Church

  • State House

  • Askari Monument

  • Mbudya Island

  • Bongoyo Island

Experiences

  • Shop in the Kariakoo Market.
  • Take a walk around the Temple Road to have a look at some beautiful temples.
  • Try the Nyama Choma or roasted meat dish that is popular in Dar es Salaam.
  • Visit the Village museum to know more about the culture of the city and enjoy some cultural performances.

Activities

Shopping

Quality Centre Mall
Shopping Malls
Julius K.Nyerere Road | Sandali, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Mkuki House Shopping Mall
Shopping Malls
Julius K. Nyerere Rd, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Aura Mall
Shopping Malls
Morogoro Road, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Kariakoo Market
Flea Markets and Bazaars
Swahili St, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
The Green Room
Handicrafts and Souviners
The Green Room, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Distance From City Center
7.5 km
Chocolate Mamas-Gourmet Tanzania Chocolate Ltd.
Handicrafts and Souviners
Slipway Rd & Yacht Club Rd, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Distance From City Center
7.3 km
  • Handcrafted leather goods
  • Kanga (Bright coloured clothes)
  • Wooden crafts
  • Authentic paintings
  • Ceramic products
  • Jewellery and beaded products.
  • Tanzanite jewellery
  • Musical instruments
  • Woven baskets, blankets, mats, etc.
  • Maasai Shuka (handwoven colourful fabric)

Official Language

Swahili

Other Language

Arabic, English, French, Itali... Read more

Spoken Language

Almost all local people unders... Read more

Currency

Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)

Population

4.3 (Millions)

Weather Icon

Weather

Scattered Clouds 26.77°C

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TimeZone

19:58 PM (GMT +03:00)

 

Ambulance Icon

Ambulance

112

 

Police Icon

Police

112

 

Electric socket

Type D
Type D ( 230 V 50 Hz)
Type G
Type G ( 230 V 50 Hz)
Airplane Icon

Airport Name / IATA Code

Julius Nyerere International Airport - DAR

Best time to visit

June, July, August, September, October: Cool and dry season makes it a perfect time to travel in the city.

Moderate time to visit

December, January , February: Hot and dry weather makes it bit uncomfortable for travelers to explore the city properly.

Worst time to visit

March, April, May, November: Rainy season and storms make it a bad time to explore the city.

Taxi

Start Tariff: TZS 5000.00

1 Km. Tariff: TZS 3000.00

1 Hour Waiting Tariff: TZS 5950.00

Available service

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Monthly Average Temperature & Rainfall

Local Services in Dar es Salaam (Contact directly)

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