Maps of Tanzania, game reserves & islands

Northern Tanzania Safaris

Southern & Western Tanzania Safaris

Mount Kilimanjaro

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Mainland Indian Ocean locations

Dar and Arusha hotels

>Dar hotels<

Arusha hotels

ALL LODGES - VIDEO, PRICES, PICTURES AND LINKS

Don't go without the 2nd Edition Cadogan Guide to Tanzania and Zanzibar - writen by Annie - one of our consultants

Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania; an Expert Guide to the city

Dar Es Salaam is reinventing itself. This coastal capital is emerging as a city that is cosmopolitan and even enjoyable to explore. Dar remains at heart a bustling Swahili market town, yet is a centre of trade and commerce attracting ambitious Africans from all of Tanzania and its neighbouring countries, and international communities who come to this port for all manner of business. Here is the hub of communication in Tanzania, a far cry from the lifestyle and experiences of the rural majority.

Click here for Dar hotel reviews

For city-lovers, Dar has plenty of quirks, and a reasonably loping East African pace anywhere beyond its hectic centre. Its Indian Ocean location offers realms of respite: a wild coastline and sea breeze, easy excursions and seaside accommodation.

The city physically reflects the paradox of Indian Ocean calm and enterprise. High-rise residential buildings and gleaming office blocks have grown up around the city centre and certain suburban areas, and yet the old character of its periodically Arabic, German and British colonial and African past is still much in evidence in the low-rise red-tiled roofs on the main streets and the makuti- thatched suburbs. Laden ocean-going tankers cruise across the horizon, and in their wake Arab dhows skim the waves and dock on shores green with mangroves and palms.

Despite confusion over the role of Dar es Salaam - officially demoted from capital city in 1973, but still awaiting the actual transfer of government to Dodoma it remains the most urbanized centre of Tanzania and its commercial capital, so acts as a good mirror of the countrys economic state. The range of new businesses, cafes, bars, restaurants and products now available reflects the success of the market reforms urgently introduced in 1986.

Dar Hotels

We have included all the lodges below ordered by our ranking, and by price. Clicking on any of the links will bring up more information; our detailed view of the lodge, video, photos, key facts etc. However, we know these choices well and would recommend a phone call or an email to help you to decide where to go.

Ranking

- Outstanding

- Very good

- Good

- Average

- Poor

Oyster Bay
Oyster Bay is a relatively new hotel in Dar that has gained an incredible reputation from our clients. It is pricey (and ultimately that is the reason that we only give it 4 paws) but it is so well run and a very smart option for a luxurious stay in Dar. We love it... but we do wish it was slightly cheaper!

$350pp

More info & Video >

Royal Palm
We cannot really write much about the Royal Palm as it is simply a large business style hotel in the centre of Dar. It has a large pool and a good location but is certainly more of a Marriott business style hotel than a beautiful place to spend the night. We give it 3 paws as it does the job.

$200pp

More info & Video >