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Dar es Salaam Julius Nyerere International Airport

Dar es Salaam tours and excursions

Dar es Salaam tours

Dar Reality Tours

While Dar's recent history and daily life are quite fascinating, it can be hard to really make contact with either as a short-term visitor. Afri Roots' Dar Reality Tours are a brilliant way round that, leading groups by bike and on foot around the city to introduce them to what normal life is like in the back streets and markets. Visitors will also learn about the city's colonial past, plus its role in pan-African liberation struggles and international politics. Tours run regularly, but call in advance to ensure a guide is available.

Tel: 0732 926 350.
Website: http://www.dar-reality-projects.org

City Tours

For a guided look around the city, Daigle Tours take visitors to see everything from the Kivukoni Fish Market and Botanical Gardens to the National Museum and a number of monuments and significant churches. Guides also take customers through the bustling Kariakoo Market and the Mwenge Carvers Market during the one-day tour. Trips include lunch and entrance fees.

Tel: 737 213 202
Website: http://www.daigletours.com

Dar es Salaam excursions

Bagamoyo

Tanzania's oldest town and the original capital of German East Africa, the faded port of Bagamoyo is one of the most striking places on Tanzania's coast. Around 40 miles north of Dar Es Salaam, the town has a fascinating, if bleak history. This name of this former slave trading centre means "Lay down your heart" in Swahili. Remaining sites include ruined medieval mosques, well-preserved German fortifications and churches, and the bustling dhow-building yards along its waterfront. Bagamoyo is about an hour's drive from Dar, and is most comfortably reached by private taxi.

Website: http://www.visitbagamoyo.org

Zanzibar

The island of Zanzibar is so beautiful and distinctive that most visitors choose to stay for at least a few days. It is, however, perfectly possible to visit within one as flights from Dar take just 25 minutes (as opposed to 2 hours by ferry). The best destination for a day trip is the capital Stone Town. One of East Africa's most beautiful cities, Stone Town has a fascinating afro-Arabic culture and a dense grid of picturesque old streets where mosques, churches and Hindu temples stand almost side by side. For something calmer, the beach, reefs and giant tortoise reserve at Prison Island are just 15 minutes by boat from Stone Town's waterfront.

Tel: (024) 223 3485.
Website: http://www.zanzibartourism.net

Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve

Just off the coast are the islands of Bongoyo, Mbudya, Pangavini and Fungu Yasini, part of the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve. Bongoyo, 7km (4.5 miles) north of Dar es Salaam, and Mbudya, 4km (2.5 miles) further up the coast, are the most frequently visited, with good beaches, swimming and snorkelling.

Tel: (022) 215 0621.
Website: http://www.marineparks.go.tz

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Featured Hotels

Hotel Nikko Tower

Just a short walk to the ferry terminal, Hotel Nikko Tower is great for either a swift stay before heading to Zanzibar or for a longer budget break in Dar. Clean and colourful rooms have large TVs, free Wi-Fi and decent double beds and there is a simple fitness centre on the top floor. The on-site sports bar has a decent happy hour and shows live games on a large screen.

Hotel Sapphire

Centrally located, the Hotel Sapphire is a clean and pleasant budget option with 63 rooms to choose from. All come with either queen-size or twin beds as well as cable TV as standard. Marble floors help cool the sleeping quarters, while large bathrooms, Wi-Fi and coffee and tea making facilities ensure guests have everything they need. Best of all though are the extremely helpful staff and the rooftop bar, which gives great views across the city.

Tiffany Diamond Hotel & Spa

This clean and airy hotel in the centre of the city has much going for it. Spacious air-conditioned rooms come with complementary Wi-Fi satellite TV and great showers while suites have more room and large Jacuzzi baths. The Shaba Lounge on the 10th floor has views of the harbour and a small but fully-equipped gym sauna and spa are good for unwinding.

Hyatt Regency Dar Es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro

Providing a slice of serenity in this busy and bustling city, the 5-star oasis of The Kilimanjaro offer views over the open Indian Ocean as well as an affable, rooftop infinity pool if the beach seems a little too far away. The 180 large rooms mix African and European features and come with refreshing rain showers, king-size beds, satellite TVs and high speed internet. There are also two excellent restaurants on-site that dish up international fare and local specialties, as well as a lively lounge with an outdoor terrace. Its luxury wellness centre offers spa treatments, saunas, steam rooms and a gym.

DoubleTree by Hilton

In the chic Slipway section of the city, the DoubleTree by Hilton is a wonderful waterfront stay that overlooks Oyster Bay. Its spacious, regal-looking rooms are styled with African art and aristocratic furnishings, and all come with complementary internet, LCD TVs, refined bathrooms and the finest Egyptian cotton sheets. With a swimming pool and three restaurants on-site, the whim of every guest should be catered for.

Dar Es Salaam Serena Hotel

The Arabic touches and European elegance of this 5-star palace are just a few meandering minutes from the city centre. Its 230 rooms offer luxury in abundance with king-size beds, much needed air-conditioning, cable TV and separate sitting areas. The hotel also has enough bars, lounges and restaurants to form a break away village, but visitors are usually too busy relaxing in the swimming pool and wellness centre to worry about such fantasies.

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