Arriving at Dar es Salaam Airport: A Practical Guide

Julius Nyerere International Airport, known as JNIA, serves Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's largest city and commercial hub. Many international travelers arrive here, either to connect to Zanzibar, to begin a southern circuit safari or to fly on to Kilimanjaro and Arusha.

Dar es Salaam is busier and larger than Kilimanjaro, so a little preparation goes a long way. Here is what to expect when you land.

Arrival and immigration

International flights use the airport's main international terminal. Follow the signs to immigration, and have your passport, printed e-visa grant notice and, if required, your yellow fever certificate ready. Officers will check your documents, take fingerprints and a photograph, and stamp your passport.

Queues can be long when several flights land together, so be patient. Having everything ready speeds things up considerably.

After immigration, collect your bags and pass through customs. Report any missing luggage to your airline before leaving the baggage hall, and keep the reference number. Remember that plastic carrier bags are banned in Tanzania, and drones should not be brought in without the required permits, as they may be held by customs.

Connecting onward

How you continue your journey shapes your plans at the airport.

• To Zanzibar: take a short domestic flight, or transfer to the city port for the ferry.
• To Arusha or Kilimanjaro: domestic flights connect to the northern safari region.
• To southern parks: light aircraft serve parks such as Nyerere and Ruaha.
• To the city: allow plenty of time, as Dar es Salaam traffic can be very heavy.

Domestic connections

If you are connecting to a domestic or light aircraft flight, check which terminal it departs from, as domestic and smaller carriers may use a different terminal from international flights. Allow a generous connection time, especially if you need to collect bags and check in again. On separate tickets, a missed international arrival may not be protected, so we often recommend an overnight stop.

Light aircraft flights have strict luggage limits, frequently requiring soft bags and a modest weight allowance. Check yours before you leave home.

Taking the ferry to Zanzibar

Many travelers choose the fast ferry from Dar es Salaam port to Stone Town, which takes roughly two hours. Buy tickets only from official ticket offices or through your operator, and be wary of touts at the port. Keep your passport handy, as you will show it on arrival in Zanzibar, and make sure your mandatory Zanzibar travel insurance is arranged before you travel.

Money, SIM cards and safety

There are usually ATMs and exchange counters in the arrivals area. Withdraw only what you need, keep cash out of sight and use official airport taxis or a pre-arranged transfer rather than accepting rides from strangers.

SIM cards can be purchased with your passport for registration. Dar es Salaam is hot and humid for much of the year, so keep water handy and dress in light clothing for the onward journey.