The city is the rail hub in Tanzania, there are two lines running in Dar with services from Kigoma, Mpanda, and Mwanza in the west, via the center of Tanzania, including the capital Dodoma. The second major line in Tazara is between Dar and Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia, which is around 3 hours north of the capital Lusaka.

The Central railway station is newly constructed and all Tanzania Railways depart from here. Tazara Railway Station is nestled on the western edge of the city along Julius K. Nyerere Road. All trains on the TAZARA line depart from here.

It is not advisable to rent a car when staying in Dar es Salaam. The city center is extremely congested and traffic is horrendous, especially during rush hours. Driving in the city can be very stressful, difficult, and dangerous with poor road conditions, aggressive drivers, few if any street lights, and a lack of parking. If you plan to travel outside of the city to more remote areas then hiring a car for the day might be a good idea. Rental cars can be found at the airport and different locations in the city, as well as organized through your hotel.

Taxis are abundant in Dar es Salaam and can be differentiated from one another by a single colored stripe that shows which municipal district the taxi is from and the area where it parks as it waits for passengers. Taxis in the city are the most expensive form of transportation, fares are negotiated before the ride, and there are no meters, but you can bargain for a better price. Taxis can be found on the street, outside of the major stations, at the airport, and also ordered by your hotel. Airport taxis are the most expensive and can range anywhere from TSH25,000 to 50,000 and upwards. Uber and Bolt operate in the city, and from the airport, this is a cheaper and easier option. Uber only operates bodabodas (motorcycles) and tuk-tuks, Bolt has cars.

The city streets are highly congested, if you plan to ride a bicycle it can be difficult to navigate and drivers have little patience when it comes to cyclists. Cycling on the Msasani Peninsula and other more remote areas is possible. There are local tour groups that offer guided bicycle tours around the city, which is a good and safer way to explore on two wheels. Try the Pugu Hills Nature Center for a 7.5-mile countryside cycling trip.

During daytime hours walking around the city is safe and many of the main attractions are within walking distance. Taking a long walk around the city to explore the architecture and local culture is a good way to immerse yourself. There are not many sidewalks in the city so exercise caution when walking along busy roads. Hiking is possible in the Pugu Hills.

Dar es Salaam is considered a safe destination. Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, use common sense, and keep your valuables out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas like markets, and tourist attractions. At night stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers.

There are some great shopping opportunities in the city which include many bustling markets like the Kariakoo market or the cloth market on the streets nearby. The Kariakoo Market is an authentic shopping experience and one of the cheapest markets in the country. That is the place for cheap souvenirs such as African necklaces, small drums, and soft stone products.

There are a lot of textile shops located at the south end of Jamhuri Street where shoppers can buy Kitenge and have clothing made. There are more textile markets found on Uhuru Street in the Mnazi Mmoja district near Karikoo, it is less crowded during the weekdays, and less high-pressure haggling. The Mwenge Carvers’ Market is a fantastic craft market where local artists make their crafts and sell them. There are so many stalls selling crafts and there are so many unique items to choose from. The Slipway market is a good place to pick up the unique “tinga-tinga” Tanzanian local paintings.

There are also tailors, sandal-makers, and charity, craft, and whole food shops on the alleys around Haile Selassie Road. Haggling is a major part of shopping in Tanzania, most merchants will quote much higher prices to tourists, sometimes 3x the price! So Haggling the price down is a must.

The Mlimani Shopping Center is the largest shopping mall in Tanzania, it was the first indoor air-conditioned mall in the country. It mainly consists of outlets for South African brands, it introduced many new stores, and restaurants such as KFC, Pizza Hut, and Mary Browns. It is a great place to shop for clothing and beachwear. There is also a cinema – Century Cinemax in the mall.

Tanzanite is the gemstone of Tanzania, it can only be found (mined) in the country, hence its name. There are several shops selling the exquisite blue stone found in all major cities and towns. The darker the gem the more expensive it is. There are some reputable shops in Zanzibar to purchase this rare gemstone.

Dar es Salaam is an amazing city and a beautiful beach destination with an abundance of picturesque beaches that travelers flock to. The are some great beaches here that will take your breath away with long stretches of white sand beaches such as Kipepeo Beach, South Beach, and Kigamboni. Kipepeo Beach entices beach lovers with its 6-mile stretch of sand on the south coast lapped by stunning tropical turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. This sun-kissed relaxed beach with a peaceful atmosphere is great for those looking for fun and adventure.

Coco Beach gives visitors a taste of the local life nestled on the east side of the Msasani Peninsula. A long stretch of soft white sand to unwind and take advantage of a great array of beachfront restaurants, bars, and live music. There is a lively atmosphere, an idyllic stretch of sand, and the first place locals think of when it comes to beach relaxation and unwinding.

Bongoyo Island Beach is just a boat ride away from Dar which is quaint and uncluttered. A leisure island and marine conservation area with beautiful white sand beaches with a wide range of fun activities like swimming, and snorkeling. The island is uninhabited and can be visited for the day, there are banda (little huts) on the beach that can be rented. There is food available and shaded areas under the palm trees to enjoy a picnic.

Mbezi Beach is located about 12 miles north of the city center, along Bagamoyo Road. A pristine beach is an untouched paradise, an idyllic coastal playground, and a great location for diving. This lush, tropical paradise is fringed by palms and lavish bungalows. The beach is in close proximity to the Karibu Art Gallery, some shops, and luxurious accommodations.

Kigamboni Beach is also referred to as South Beach not far from the city center. The beach is a standout choice renowned for great swimming in pristine waters and clean sand stretching for miles in a picture-perfect location. There are a wide range of great hotels and resorts with outstanding facilities, as well as food stalls for food and drinks.

Bahari Beach is a beautiful, quiet tropical beach with gentle waves and soft white sands to lie back and sunbathe in these dreamy surroundings. There are some great beach bars where you can enjoy chilled cocktails, as well as a nearby fishing village with fabulous seafood restaurants.

Amani Beach is a gorgeous stretch of broad white sand, a gem that glitters along the coastline where beachgoers can find the perfect balance between outdoor leisure activities, and natural rugged scenic beauty.

Jangwani Beach is at the White Sands Hotel on a pretty peninsula, the idyllic playground for a tropical beach day. The setting is picture perfect with plenty of things to see and do.

The official language spoken in Dar es Salaam is Swahili. English is widely spoken, especially in the service industry, it is taught in schools and used in government, business, and the media. Many people speak fluent English, especially in hotels and restaurants. We recommend getting a good English/African guidebook and learning the basic questions like please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

The city of Dar es Salaam experiences a tropical climate with hot and humid weather throughout most of the year. Due to its proximity to the equator and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean with two main rainy seasons. The long rains fall in April and May, and the short rains in November and December. Precipitation is heavier on the coast. Daily average temperatures in Dar es Salaam are very hot with normal highs at 86F degrees and higher, with a cool evening breeze. The best time to visit is from June to September after the rainy season when temperatures are milder and a relatively lower humidity.

The currency of Dar es Salaam is the Tanzanian Shilling (TSH, TZS), US dollars are also widely accepted. You will need to exchange your currency for the Shilling, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus. ATMs can be found in the city, tipping is discretionary and appreciated, and cash is usually preferred.

The city has an eclectic food scene with a fusion of African, Asian, Arabic, and European cuisine influences. There are a variety of delicious dishes to try at traditional Tanzanian restaurants, and Indian snacks from street vendors, as well as high-end Asian restaurants and barbecued fish at the beach. There are a lot of high-end restaurants found in Msasani serving European cuisine along with some great beach bars, and seafood restaurants. Slipway Shopping Centre boasts several great restaurants offering some stunning views of the beach. There are some fantastic options for delicious street food like grilled meats such as Zanzibari chicken mishkaki (kebabs), and chicken sekela (Tandoori-style chicken) with tamarind sauces and veggies. Due to its waterfront location fresh fish and seafood are a major part of the culinary scene in the city; Samaki means fish in Kiswahili, and there are options for grilled octopus, calamari, lobster, and clams. There is a selection of curries, flatbreads, and pitas.

There are many great beachfront restaurants and bars to enjoy delicious food and a refreshing variety of cocktails and cold beer in a relaxing atmosphere. The number of international restaurants is on the rise in Dar es Salaam. The city now offers a rich and internationalized diversity of cuisine ranging from Tanzanian Barbecue style options like Nyama Choma, which is roasted meat with rice or ugali, and Mishkaki which is shish kebab is normally barbequed and served with salt, hot peppers, chapati, fries, and rice on the side. There are long-established traditional Indian and Zanzibari cuisines as well as options from all over the world including Chinese, Thai, Turkish, Italian, and Japanese. There are also fast food options to enjoy like Subway and Steers.

Dar es Salaam offers some of the best nightlife options in the country, it is the largest city and therefore has plenty of places to explore and a lot of different things going on all over the city. Visitors can check out rooftop bars, upscale lounges, fancy restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, and night markets. The nightlife scene in Dar is huge with friendly, raw energy with venues playing Taarab, a fast-paced Swahili music style that blends Tanzanian style music with an Arab influence.

Dar es Salaam was once a sleepy fishing village that has today transformed into a bustling metropolis with many establishments to check out at night. Visitors can check out a range of English and African bars and clubs, as well as visit casual sports bars or chill at beachside bars and restaurants. There is something to suit every style and mood in the city. One of the biggest parties in the city happens once a month at the Mediterraneo Hotel and Restaurant attracting the city’s sexiest crowd with around 500 attendees. This is an all-night festival of drinking, dancing, and mingling that starts around 11 pm. This hotel also features a bar/lounge at the edge of the beach which is a fantastic spot to hang out and chill out in style and comfort.

Tanzanians know how to party and the nightlife here is shaped by some of the best music on the continent, a night out in Dar es Salaam is unforgettable.

In case of an emergency dial 112 for local police, and 114 for an ambulance, or fire.

Hospitals:Saifee Hospital Tanzania tel. 255-748-772-930

Sali International Hospital tel. 255-786-217-938

Muhimbili National Hospital tel. 255-22-215-1367