Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s largest city and busiest port, a lively, humid place on the Indian Ocean. Many travelers spend a night here before taking the ferry to Zanzibar or heading off on safari, and the Msasani Peninsula offers a calmer, beachside base.
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Fast passenger ferries run from Dar es Salaam’s ferry terminal to Stone Town in Zanzibar, and the city is a gateway for safaris in southern Tanzania.
Near the harbor and the Zanzibar ferry terminal — the most convenient for an early ferry.
A leafy area of restaurants, shopping and hotels by the sea.
Upscale neighborhoods with beach views, embassies and larger hotels.
Beaches and relaxed resorts just across the harbor from the city center.
Handy for late arrivals and early flights to Zanzibar and the safari parks.
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June–October is the cooler, drier season; the long rains fall roughly March–May, and December–February is hot and humid.
The City Centre is closest to the ferry terminal; the Msasani Peninsula is quieter but further away in traffic.
The fast ferries take roughly two hours to reach Stone Town, depending on the boat and the sea.
The City Centre has the most budget and mid-range hotels; Msasani and Oyster Bay are more upscale.