Dar es Salaam is Tanzania's largest city and its main port, on the Indian Ocean coast. Julius Nyerere International Airport handles many long-haul arrivals, and fast ferries leave from the harbour for Zanzibar.
For most safari travellers it is a place to pass through - a night between flights or a connection to the island. If you do have a day, the city shows a side of Tanzania you will not see in the parks: the bustling Kivukoni fish market, old Swahili and colonial streets near the harbour, and busy everyday life.
The nearest safari park from Dar is Mikumi, about 4-5 hours by road.
A sprawling, low-rise coastal city around a natural harbour, with beaches to the north at Msasani and Coco Beach, and dhows and container ships sharing the waterfront.
Dar es Salaam is not a wildlife destination. Its attractions are urban and cultural.
Early morning at the Kivukoni fish market
Village Museum for traditional Tanzanian house styles
Walk around the old city centre and harbour
Coco Beach in the late afternoon
Ferry to Zanzibar
Dar is hot, humid and busy. Short visits work best with a driver or guide, especially in traffic.
Year-round as a transit city. The long rains are roughly March to May and a shorter rainy spell comes around November.
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Julius Nyerere International Airport has international and regional flights. Fast ferries to Zanzibar take around two hours.
Hotels of every standard, from guesthouses to international brands. Most travellers stay one night near the airport or the harbour.
More humid than the northern safari areas
Use registered taxis or arranged transfers, especially at night
Allow plenty of time for city traffic
Official park info: Tanzania Tourist Board
No. You can fly to Zanzibar directly from Nairobi, Arusha or Kilimanjaro. Dar is just one of the options.
Only if you are interested in city life and markets. Most safari itineraries pass through quickly.
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