Dar es Salaam is Tanzania's largest city and its main port, a warm, humid and lively place on the Indian Ocean. Most visitors pass through on the way to Zanzibar, Nyerere, Ruaha or the southern parks, and a day or two here gives a good taste of coastal Tanzania.
The Kivukoni fish market, the National Museum, the Kariakoo market and the Msasani Peninsula's restaurants are all worth a visit, and boats leave from the harbour to Bongoyo Island and Zanzibar. The city is busy and hot, so many guests prefer a short stay before heading to the coast or the bush.
Dar es Salaam is a city, but Bongoyo Island Marine Reserve, a short boat ride away, has snorkelling, sandy beaches and birdlife. The coast north of the city has the turtle nesting beaches of the Pangani coastline.
Activities here
Dar es Salaam is hot and humid, with daytime temperatures of 29°C to 32°C and warm nights. The long rains fall from March to May and a short season in November.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32 | 24 | 70 |
| Feb | 32 | 24 | 60 |
| Mar | 32 | 24 | 130 |
| Apr | 31 | 23 | 300 |
| May | 29 | 22 | 230 |
| Jun | 29 | 21 | 40 |
| Jul | 28 | 20 | 35 |
| Aug | 29 | 20 | 30 |
| Sep | 30 | 21 | 30 |
| Oct | 31 | 22 | 60 |
| Nov | 32 | 23 | 100 |
| Dec | 32 | 24 | 110 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
June to October is drier and a little cooler. January and February are hot, humid and mostly dry.
March to May brings heavy rain and flooded roads. November rains are lighter. Expect high humidity at any time.
Dar es Salaam can be visited all year. June to October is the most comfortable, while April and May are the wettest.
Best time to visit Jan to Feb, Jul to Sep
Julius Nyerere International Airport is about 12 kilometres from the centre, and traffic can add an hour or more at peak times. Fast ferries run to Zanzibar in about two hours, and scheduled flights link Dar es Salaam with the southern parks, Zanzibar and Arusha.
Most visitors need a Tanzania visa, applied for online before travel or bought on arrival, currently US$50 for a single-entry tourist visa. Your passport must be valid for at least six months. Yellow fever rules apply if you arrive from an endemic country.
Dar es Salaam is a malaria area, and the city has good private clinics. Please take advice before you travel. Drink bottled water only.
National ParkSerengeti National ParkThe Great Migration
Wildlife Reserve & SanctuaryNgorongoro Conservation AreaA day on the crater floorSafaris from
US$846 per person
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