How to Plan a Trip to Dar es Salaam
The complete 2026 guide — flights, hotels, things to do and airport transfers, all in one place. Everything a first-time visitor to Tanzania needs.
Your 4-step Dar es Salaam plan
Step 1 — Book flights to DAR
Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) is the main gateway to Dar es Salaam. Compare fares across major airlines and OTAs before locking a date.
See flight deals to DARStep 2 — Pick a neighborhood
Base yourself in Kivukoni Fish Market for the best first-time visit — Dar's most chaotic + photogenic market — fresh-from-the-dhow swordfish, kingfish, octopus.
Where to stay in Dar es SalaamStep 3 — Plan your itinerary
Start with Kivukoni Fish Market, then build outward. Most first-time visitors need 3-5 days to see the highlights of Dar es Salaam.
Things to do in Dar es SalaamStep 4 — Sort your airport transfer
DART rapid bus (BRT) to Posta is TZS 700 and takes 40 min. Pre-book a private transfer for stress-free arrival.
DAR arrival guideBefore you book — visa check
Visa-on-arrival USD 50 (USD 100 for US) for most Western nationalities (90 days). E-visa via immigration.go.tz recommended (USD 50). Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from yellow-fever country.