Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — Travel Tips
Getting There By Air
Dar es Salaam International Airport (DAR)
Tel: (022) 284 2461 or 284 4371.
Website: www.tanzaniairports.com
Located 12km (7.5 miles) southwest of the city center on Nyerere Road, this is the main arrival point for domestic and overseas flights. It has two terminals, about 700m (2,300ft) apart. Terminal 2 is newer and has most scheduled domestic and international flights. Terminal 1 is customarily used for charter flights.
The airport has a scant collection of amenities including a handful of exchange bureaus, some souvenir shops, a bar, a restaurant and an Internet connection. Avoid the touts and agencies here as many are unreliable.
To get to and from the airport take a dalla-dalla (minibuses) signed U/Ndege (short for Uwanja wa Ndege, meaning airport) or a taxi.
Getting There By Road
Only around 20% of Tanzania's roads have tarmac, including those between Dar es Salaam and Arusha, and Dar es Salaam and Mbeya.
Coach services
Dar es Salaam's main bus terminal is at Ubungo, 8km (5 miles) west of the city on Morogoro Road. Prices are usually fixed and should always be bought from the office, never from a tout. Recommended bus companies include Dar Express (tel: 0748 276 060) and Royal Coach (tel: (022) 212 4073). The bus company Scandinavian Express (tel: (022) 218 4833; www.scandinaviagroup.com) operates its own terminal and ticket office on the corner of Msimbazi Street and Nyerere Road, which is quieter and closer to the center than Ubungo. They also sell tickets online. They operate daily international bus services to Dar es Salaam from Nairobi, Arusha and Mombasa in Kenya; Kampala in Uganda and Lusaka in Zambia. Express buses are quicker, less crowded and run according to a schedule. Some have air conditioning and toilets on board. Ordinary buses are more congested, slower and leave when full.
Getting There By Rail
Rail Services
Tanzania has two main stations. Tazara Station, on the corner of Nyerere and Nelson Mandela Roads (tel: (022) 286 0344), is around 6km (4 miles) southwest of the city center. The Tanzanian Railway Corporation's Central Line station, on the corner of Railway Street and Sokoine Drive ( tel: (022) 211 7833), is more central.
Rail Operators
Tazara links Dar es Salaam to cities in the southwest and to Zambia. The Tanzanian Railway Corporation connects Dar es Salaam to Kigoma, Mwanza, Dodoma and Tabora. Tazara is generally more comfortable, but both operators are prone to long delays and breakdowns.
Getting Around in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Public Transport
For short journeys within Dar es Salaam, there is a choice between 30-seater ‘Coaster' buses or dalla-dallas, which are smaller minibuses. These both run when full and can be awkward to try and board with luggage. Dalla-dallas are cheap but can be unsafe, as drivers race each other to pick-up points to collect new passengers. The names of the first and last stop are shown in the front window or hollered out by the driver's assistant, who also collects the fares. Main terminals include New Posta in front of the main post office on Maktaba Street, Kariakoo on Msimbazi Street, Kivukoni on Kivukoni Front and Stesheni on Algeria Street, near to the Central Line train station.
Taxis
Taxis are distinguished by their white number plates. Fares are not fixed or metered so you must negotiate the best deal before setting off. Taxi ranks can be found throughout the city, usually in front of larger hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants or landmark buildings. Shared taxis are relatively rare.
Driving in the City
Most companies insist that you hire a 4-wheel drive vehicle if driving outside the city. However, unless you are familiar with driving in East Africa, it is unusual to take a self-drive tour: most people hire a driver or join an organized safari. Tanzanians drive on the left. The speed limit is 80kph (50mph) unless otherwise shown. Drivers and front-seat passengers must wear seat belts.
Car Hire
There are a handful of car hire agencies in Dar, including Avis on Ohio Street (tel: (022) 211 5381; www.avis.com), Green Car Rentals on Nkrumah Street (tel: (022) 218 2022) and Hertz on Ohio Street (tel: (022) 212 2130; www.hertz.com).
Bicycle Hire
Main sealed roads are not good for cycling, as it can be very dangerous. Many of the secondary roads are safer though. Mountain bikes are virtually essential and should be brought from home as hired bikes tend to be of poor quality. Bicycle Africa (www.ibike.org/bikeafrica) organizes cycling tours throughout Tanzania.
