Dar Es SalaamSome guidebooks call Dar “interesting, emerging and cosmopolitan,” but as with Nairobi, views are certainly split; you either love or hate this city! The reality is that Dar es Salaam is a sprawling industrial port with a population of approximately 2.5 million and very few tourist attractions of any sort. The vast majority of travellers choose to sit in the airport and fly on to the more attractive destinations Tanzania has to offer. Those that stay to explore must really want to get immersed in the hectic, hustle and bustle of one of East Africa’s largest cities.
Dar is the polar opposite of Indian Ocean calm and is a city bustling with enterprise. High rise residential buildings and gleaming office blocks have grown up around the city centre and suburban areas, but the old character of its periodically Arabic, German and British colonial past is still much in evidence. Arab dhows leave the ports at the same time as gigantic oil tankers!
Numerous hotels welcome international travellers nowadays and further up and down the coast there are some fantastic coastal accommodations, like Ras Kutani, that will compete with anywhere on the nearby islands. But these coastal areas are not really Dar and should be viewed as separate altogether. In summary, we do not recommend that clients stay in Dar unless they are forced to by the arrival/departure times of international flights or because they have a love of exploring African cities. Dar es Salaam: Accommodation choices
There are a number of large 4* business hotels in Dar that tend to take the majority of travellers. There is little between the popular options, but we tend to choose Movenpick’s Royal Palm and the Southern Sun (the old Holiday Inn) as our first choices. Further outside town, the Sea Cliff is a similar styled option with better views, but the only really high quality boutique option in town is The Oyster Bay - a small 8 roomed hotel owned by the people responsible for Selous’ famous Beho Beho lodge. The accommodation at Oyster Bay is stunning, food and service impeccable, however, the price tends to push most travellers towards the larger hotel options. For the budget option there is no better choice than the Souk at the Slipway with rooms starting from as little as $60 per night.
Recommended lodges in this area:
Dar es Salaam
If you really want to spoil yourself after an intercontinental journey to Tanzania or need the luxuries of being pampered after an active safari, then Oyster Bay is your best bet.
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaamdoes not offer much and therefore a hotel with all mod cons, in close proximity to the town centre (and golf course) is a welcome break from the town’s somewhat hectic atmosphere.
Tanzania Mainland Coast
Quiet, away from it, all but with fabulous rooms, great food and friendly unpretentious service. This is the best value beach accommodation and one of the most beautiful small lodges to be found anywhere in Tanzania.
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