Dar es Salaam is the former capital city of Tanzania and held this status until 1996 when it was replaced by Dodoma mainly due to logistical reasons. The city is situated at the Tanzanian coastline off the Indian Ocean and is home to one of the key ports on the East Coast of Africa.
There is still a strong presence of government here and a number of departments and foreign embassies are still based in Dar. The city is the largest in Tanzania and is home to an estimated 2 million people. Dar es Salaam is an important centre for trade and commerce. The city is the headquarters for a number of local and international businesses in the country.
Dar es Salaam is also an important centre for education home to a number of universities and colleges including the University of Dar es Salaam which is one of the prominent learning institutions in the country.
Transport:
Public transport in Dar consists mainly of minibuses and buses. Taxis are also available. The city is linked by road and rail to other parts of the country and there are buses that travel regularly from here to other Tanzanian towns. The Dar international airport situated at Kipawa off Nyerere Road is the key airport in Tanzania and is the main hub for national airline Air Tanzania.
Dar es Salaam Flights:
There are a number of airlines that operate regular scheduled flights to Dar es Salaam. The city is the largest in Tanzania and is served by the Dar es Salaam International airport which is the busiest in the country handling more than 800,000 passengers each year. The Dar airport is situated about 11 km from the city centre.
There are buses and taxis that provide transport from here and a number of travel companies and hotels offer shuttle services. The airport is the main hub for national airline; Air Tanzania which flies from here to a number of domestic and international destinations including Johannesburg, Entebbe and the Comoros.
Airlines flying regularly to Dar es Salaam include; Kenya Airways, Air Malawi, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM, Gulf Air, Emirates, British Airways, Air India, Air Mozambique, Precision Air, Yemenia, Swiss International.
Dar es Salaam Hotels:
As the largest city in Tanzania and a major hub for transport, Dar es Salaam is home to a good selection of hotels. Many hotels here are within easy reach of the airport and the city centre. Popular hotels in Dar es Salaam include;
Kilimanjaro Kempinski Hotel: part of the Kempinski International group of hotels, it is a fairly new establishment opened in 2005 and is situated on Kivukoni Street near the city centre. The hotel boosts a wide range of amenities including; rooms with internet access, satellite television and telephone; two restaurants, three bars, concierge service, conference facilities.
Golden Tulip Dar es Salaam: situated at Msasani Peninsula with views of the Indian Ocean, the Golden Tulip is a popular hotel which offers; swimming pool, bar, restaurants, massage and beauty treatments, business and conferencing facilities and air conditioned rooms with satellite television.
White Sands Hotel and Resort: one of the city’s premier establishments, the White Sands is located at Jangwani Beach and offers a wide range of amenities and services including access to sporting and recreational activities such as; water skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving, beach volleyball, boat rides and sailing. The hotel’s services include; foreign exchange, restaurant, bar, business and conferencing facilities, information desk, air conditioned rooms with internet access and satellite TV.
Getting Here
Dar es Salaam International Airport:
The Dar es Salaam International Airport is the key airport in Tanzania handling the bulk of international and domestic flights in the country. The airport is the main hub for national airline Air Tanzania. The airline operates from here to a number of domestic and continental destinations.
The Dar airport is situated about 11 km from the city centre in Kipawa, off Nyerere Road. There are buses and taxis that provide transport from here and a number of travel companies and hotels offer shuttle services.
Airlines:
Airlines operating from the Dar Airport are; Kenya Airways, Air Malawi, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM, Gulf Air, Emirates, British Airways, Air India, Air Mozambique, Precision Air, Yemenia, Swiss International.
