Dar es Salaam is an easy destination to plan yourself: hotels, flights, car rental and activities in one place, no juggling ten different sites. Dar es Salaam works well as a base for day trips to nearby towns and scenic routes. The nearest airport is in a neighbouring city, and a rental car is the easiest way to cover the rest. There are currently around 20 places to stay listed in and around Dar es Salaam, covering a range of budgets. The catalogue includes 8 vetted activities and tours with real guest ratings. 2 routes to nearby towns are mapped out from Dar es Salaam, handy if you're planning side trips beyond the city itself.
Accommodation in Dar es Salaam starts at around €38 per night, with a typical rate near €99 across roughly 20 nearby options — handy for budgeting your trip.
Well-reviewed hotels: Crowne Plaza - Dar Es Salaam by IHG, guest rating 9.6 from 1054 reviews, from €76 per night; CBD Hotel, 4-star, guest rating 9.4 from 1312 reviews, from €69 per night; Hyatt Regency Dar Es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro, 5-star, guest rating 9.2 from 107 reviews, from €191 per night; Aura Suites, guest rating 9 from 1003 reviews, from €112 per night; Johari Rotana, 5-star, guest rating 9 from 58 reviews, from €156 per night.
Day trips & routes: Jambiani — about 140 km, 3h 28m drive; Zanzibar — about 105 km, 2h 49m drive. Fastest option is Jambiani: 3h 28m by car.
Dar es Salaam: what to know
Things to see: "3 Days Ngorongoro & Serengeti Fly in Safari", rated 5 from 23 reviews, from €2322.4; "5 Days Safari to Selous & Mikumi", rated 5 from 21 reviews, from €1785.57; "1 Day Safari to Mikumi NP by Electric Train", rated 5 from 20 reviews, from €401.95; "Dar es Salaam Old Town Walking and Food Tour With Transfers", rated 5 from 15 reviews, from €62.53; "2 Days 1 Night Mikumi National Park From Dar es salaam by (SGR)", rated 5 from 15 reviews, from €446.61.
Dar es Salaam has no direct airport — most travellers fly into the nearest airport city and continue by rental car or transfer. Getting around the city and out to the 2 nearby destinations listed above is easiest by car — intercity public transport tends to be slower and less frequent. The median nightly rate in Dar es Salaam is around €99, useful for comparing overall trip cost against nearby cities.
To rent a car in Dar es Salaam you usually need a passport, a driving licence and a bank card for the deposit hold. With 20 places to stay nearby, it's worth comparing a base near the rental desk against one closer to the sights. Given 2 routes worth driving from here, check the mileage and one-way drop-off terms before you book. When touring Tanzania, plan stops in advance: fuel stations and car parks in smaller towns are not always open around the clock.
