Travel Guide To Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Formerly known as Mzizima, Dar Es Salaam, is the largest and the richest city of Tanzania turning out to be an economic hub for the region. It's also been chosen by the central government bureaucracy for its offices and it still serves to be the capital for the connecting states though the actual capital of the state is Dodoma. Dar Es Salaam is better knows as the administrative province of Tanzania.

Dar Es Salaam is a very humble place with a spectacular seaport and buildings that reminisce historical events. The city itself literally means "Home of Peace" and has a panorama of shops, good restaurants and other tourist attractions. African, Indian and Arabic colors are vivid in its cultural spectrum.

Islam is the dominant religion followed by Christianity and other beliefs.

Weather is usually hot and humid throughout the year. There are two rainy seasons in an year. "The long rains" fall during April and May and "The short rains" fall during October and November.

Getting there and getting around

Dar Es Salaam can be reached in from around 28 locations in UK and Ireland with airlines such as British Airways, Qatar Airways, Kenya Airways, Swiss Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Egypt Air ,Oman Air and British Midland International(bmi) and Royal Dutch Airlines.

Julius Nyerere International Airport is Tanzania's main airport located in Dar es Salaam at the distance of 10 Km from the city center and 20 Km from Msasani peninsula. It's served by various airlines from Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa.

There is usually a traffic jam in the evening towards Airport.

Other modes of transport include train, bus, taxi, boat and car with various economical choices and packages.

Places to see

Some of the must-see places in / around Dar Es Salaam are The Village Museum, Botanical Garden and Kaole Ruins. There are must-see beaches on Msasani peninsula and in Kigamboni. Other tourist attractions are Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve, Bongoyo Island, Zanzibar, Pemba, Mafia Island, Makumbusho Village Museum, Askari Monument, Karim Jee Hall, Azania Front Lutheran Church and The Natioanl Stadium hosting many football clubs.

Food & Drink

There are many international restaurants in the vicinity. Cuisines such as typical Tanzanian Barbecue e.g. Nyama Choma i.e. Roasted Meat which is served with Ugali or Rice. Besides, Chinese, Thai, Turkish, Italian and Japenese food are also available. Famous restaurants are City Garden, Addis in Dar,and Best Bite. For fast food you may also have the options such as Subway and Steers. Quality and affordable food is also available from street vendors. Many of the students usually opt for the same.

Entry Requirements - Visas

All British passport holders need a visa to travel to Tanzania and you should obtain one prior to travelling from your nearest Tanzanian diplomatic mission. It is possible to obtain a tourist visa for a single entry at the main ports of entry to Tanzania but this is subject to the fulfilment of all immigration requirements. If you need a multiple entry visa arrange this through a Tanzanian diplomatic mission before your arrival in Tanzania. Otherwise you will have to buy a single entry visa each time you enter the country.

Please note that working as a volunteer in Tanzania requires a Class C work permit. This should be obtained from your nearest Tanzanian diplomatic mission before you travel. If you overstay the validity of your visa, or work without an appropriate permit, you will be liable to arrest, detention and a fine before being deported.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity

You should have a valid passport and visa when visiting Tanzania and Zanzibar. In order to apply for a visa your passport must have validity of not less than six months.

Entry Requirements - Yellow Fever Certificates

Travellers from non-endemic countries travelling through endemic countries are subject to yellow fever vaccination only if they stay outside the Airport or have a long connection up to twelve hours: See the Tanzanian Government website for more details:http://www.tanzania.go.tz/tips.html.

As some countries list Tanzania as a Yellow Fever endemic country you may also be asked for a certificate after departing Tanzania and arriving at other destinations.

Basic Swine Flu checks are carried out at the main points of entry to Tanzania.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children

For information on entry requirements, contact Tanzanian High Commission in London.

Address:
British High Commission
Umoja House
Garden Avenue
PO Box 9200
Dar es Salaam

Telephone:
255 (0) 22 229 0000

Fax:
(255) (22) 211 0102

Email:
bhc.dar@fco.gov.uk
bhc.visa.daressalaam@fco.gov.uk

Office hours:
Mon-Thur: 04:30-13:30 GMT
Fri: 04:30-11:30 GMT
Mon-Thur: 07:30-15:30 Local Time
Fri: 07:30-13:30 Local Time

Website: http://www.ukintanzania.fco.gov.uk/en

Country	Tanzania
Time Zone	GMT+3

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