Bus routes in Dar-es-salaam | Daladala in Dar
A dala dala is a van or small minibus, connecting to different parts of the towns in Tanzania. The larger ones travel from city to city. They are pretty run down but are reliable, cheap, and run all the time. There is no real schedule for a dala dala, they usually leave the bus terminal when they are full. Dala dalas are beautifully decorated with paintings or slogans, and most of them have names. Some have their route painted on the bonnet. They always have loud music on, which is often rap and hip hop.
Riding in a dala dala in Tanzania is part of the local experience. It is an adventure that you need to do at least once to get used to if you are travelling to Tanzania on a budget, and by you are exposed to locals and know a little about the local life, something you won’t get to experience if you travel in a private car. A dala dala will not leave the station until it is full – and when I say full, I mean a 14-seater bus with around 20 people squeezed inside. In order to guarantee a seat and avoid standing up, board the dala dala at the bus terminal.
Flag on the Street
Whilst you can flag down a dala dala on the street, unless you know a little Swahili, it will be hard to understand where it is going. Whilst dala dalas follow a fixed route, they can pretty much stop anywhere if there is a possibility of picking up another passenger, or if someone on board wants to get off.
Tips for Riding Daladala in Dar-es-salaam
Get on a Dala Dala at the Bus Terminal
As mentioned before, dala dalas are extremely crowded. If there are four chairs on a row, you can be sure that six people will be squeezed onto them. By starting your journey at the bus terminal, you have the chance to get on an empty dala dala and choose a seat towards the front, by the window. The trick to getting a good seat in a dala dala is to wait until the rear seats are filled, because unless you get off at the last stop, it will be a nightmare to make your way to the front. Most Dala dalas only have doors at the front of the minibus. The front seat next to the driver is also up for grabs, but don’t think you will have it all to yourself. |  |
Don't Accept Help
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As you approach the bus station, there are many who will offer to take you to the right bus. If you accept their offer, they will ask you to pay them for their help and won’t give up until you give them money. Dar-es-salaam Moshi and Arusha have large communities of volunteers who end up speaking a little Swahili after a few weeks working on different local projects. When you speak in Swahili, even just a few words such as “Hapana Asante” (no thank you), you will be more successful in making your own way to the right dala dala. A tourist who is in town just to go on a short trip will not learn words in Swahili, or leave their comfort bubble, so when you speak the language some locals will think you are a volunteer and already know your way around, and will leave you alone. The right people to ask if you are on the right dala dala are the drivers or total strangers unrelated to the Bus terminals. They will let you know where they are going, and if it’s not your destination, they will point you to the dala dala . |
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Never Pay Upfront
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And also, never ask for the price beforehand, as everyone pays for their journey after the dala dala has left the bus terminal. Besides the driver, a dala dala will have another person in front who collects money during stops and helps with the luggage on top of the bus. After the bus leaves, he will make his way towards the back of the bus to collect the fees and issue paper tickets to the passengers. When it’s your turn to pay, simply give a 2000 shillings note (if you are traveling long distance, if not just look what other people are paying) and say your destination. From what I observed, you might not get your change straight away, especially if you are among the first to pay. But no worries, you will get it before you get off. |
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Shout “Shusha” When you Need to Get Off
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Dala dalas don’t have many fixed stops, so if you want to get off at a village; you must let the driver know by shouting “Shusha”, especially if you are at the back of the bus and the music is loud – which is normally the case. Of course, you may not had an idea how long it would take to travel where I would need to get off, but you chat for a bit with your fellow passenger and they can help you to tell the driver. On other occasions, YOU can follow the route on Google Maps, and shouted out when the pin reach your destination. It is very useful to have a local SIM card in Tanzania, especially to gain access to Google Maps at any time. This is about all you need to know about travelling by dala dala in Tanzania. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask in the comment section below and I will do my best to answer. |
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Major Dala Dala Bus Stations in Dar-es-salaam
Cities are the quintessential examples of complexity. In Dar-es-salaam, the dense population, many business operations, complex roads and the city’s diversity makes it easy to get lost, lose luggage or any other personal belongings. And if you are looking to move to the city’s outskirts, the dwelling of most residents, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with Dar-es-salaam Daladalas routes and respective stages.
Dar-es-salaam residents already familiar with the city hardly search for Daladalas stages and routes. After all, they are at their fingertips. The Daladala industry has undergone a gradual metamorphosis, whereby their respective saccos identify most routes. However, if you are new in town, and are looking for the most accurate way of reaching your desired destination, better familiarize yourself with the respective Daladala route in Dar-es-salaam.
Ubungo - Mawasiliano Bus Terminal
Ubungo - Mawasiliano Bus terminal is turning into a popular attraction in the city. It is clean, safe and well facilitated.
Mbezi Mwisho Bus Terminal
You can get transport to most corners of the city from here. There is no website listed for Mbezi Mwisho Bus Stop.
Kawe Bus Terminal
Kawe is a bus station in Tanzania. Kawe is situated nearby to UHAI DISPENSARY, and close to Lugalo & Makongo School.
Makumbusho Bus Terminal
Makumbusho Bus Stand is a bus stop in Dar-es-salaam. Makumbusho Bus Stand is situated nearby to Makumbusho Museum.
Posta Bus Terminal
Posta bus stand is a bus station in Dar. IT is situated nearby to Posta Bureau de Change, and close to Benjamin William Mkapa Towers.
Mbagala Bus Terminal
Mbagala is the new bus terminal for the south coast to Kilwa Masoko, Lindi and Mtwara. Five daily departures between 6 am and 13 pm.
Dar Es Slaam Daladala and DART Terminals/Stand Maps
Dar-es-salaam Rapid Transit Service - DART
The Dar Rapid Transit (DART) is a bus-based mass transit system connecting the suburbs of Dar Es Salaam to the central business district.
BRT Dar-es-salaam Services:Trunk Routes:
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Paper tickets & smart cards:
Paper tickets
Muhimbili routes Tshs 650. Means for smart cards Top ups
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Tips for using DART in Dar-es-salaam
How do I get a card or a paper ticket?
In principle, more than 90 percent of DART bus users are supposed to have smart cards for bus fare when planning to take rides in the DART system. The rest of passengers can use paper tickets due to different reasons including visitors arriving from upcountry and perhaps are not intending to stay long in the city and therefore possessing a smart card for them is not necessary. Currently, there are a few cards being used in the system. At the beginning of Interim Service Provider (ISP) period that started in 2016, the service provider sold 200,000 cards. However, later it was found that about 50, 000 cards were being used daily. Nonetheless, DART Agency is in the process of procuring more cards so that 90 percent of the BRT users can have cards for their daily commute. |  |
How do I top up my bus fare?
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To top up fare, visit BRT offices at stations and terminals and consult authorized officers to grant you the service. Due to advanced technology, prepayment of bus fare using mart cards can also be done by using mobile money transactions such as M-Pesa, Airtel Money, Tigo-Pesa and others. To top up fare in your mobile phone, follow carefully the procedures laid down for the transaction; and in case of any doubt do not hesitate to consult authorized officers in the DART stations or terminals and other selling booths. |
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How do I board the buses?
How do I board the buses?
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Publi Transport from Dar-es-salaam Julius Nyerere International Airport
Julius Nyerere International Airport is served by a wide range of public commuter bus routes. However, buses are not allowed into the Airport Parking Area. Arriving passengers who opt to use public transport must get out of the Airport premises to catch a bus. The bus stop is located between 500m and 1,000m from Terminal 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
All public commuter buses can drop you at a major bus stand in the City, in Kariakoo and/or at the Makumbusho bus terminal that connects buses from all routes in Dar es Salaam.
Bus fares are affordable as they regulated by the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (SUMATRA).
Dar Es Salaam mini Guide
Tanzania Tourism
Tanzania’s wildlife resources are considered among the finest in the world. Tanzania is the only country, which has allocated more than 25% of its total area for wildlife national parks and protected areas. There are 16 National Parks in Tanzania, 28 Game Reserves, 44 Game controlled areas, 1 conservation area and 2 Marine Parks. Tanzania boasts many of Africa’s most renewed destinations; in the north the Serengeti plains, the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and Mount Kilimanjaro, and in the south Mikumi and Ruaha National Parks and the Selous Game Reserve.
Best time to Visit
When is the best time to visit Tanzania? It’s a good question – and like most good questions a tricky one to answer, mainly because different areas in Tanzania have different attractions at different times of the year. There really is no right or wrong time to visit this well-loved country but as a rule of thumb, the dry season (from late June to October) is the most popular time for a Tanzania safari with all the trimmings. During this dry season, animals congregate near water sources putting predators and prey in close proximity and making for some exciting game viewing. As a by-product of the water shortages the vegetation thins, thus improving visibility of animals.
Weather and Climate
Situated just south of the equator, Tanzania is a vast country with a variable climate that depends heavily on the elevation and geography of your chosen destination. Generally speaking, the weather is tropical, particularly on the coast, where heat and humidity prevail. However, the northwestern highlands are consistently cool, while the central plateau remains dry and arid all year round. Most of Tanzania’s popular tourist destinations experience two rainy seasons and two dry seasons every year. The long rains usually last from early March to late May, bringing with them heavy afternoon downpours and high humidity.
Getting to Tanzania
Most travellers reach Tanzania via air or travelling overland through one of the country’s many land borders. Tanzania is easily reached via frequent air connections to Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar airports. Nyerere International Airport; Tanzania’s air hub. Kilimanjaro International Airport; Between Arusha and Moshi, and the best option for itineraries in Arusha and the northern safari circuit. Note: it’s not to be confused with the smaller Arusha Airport, 8km west of Arusha, which handles domestic flights only. Zanzibar International Airport On Zanzibar Island, at the southern edge of Zanzibar Town; it handles frequent charter flights from Europe, as well as several international carriers.
Travel Info
If considering travelling abroad – In this case Tanzania, you are advised to monitor the official advice and information provided by the authorities at your destination. We have prepared detailed information about Tanzania entry restrictions. Additional restrictions may be imposed by Tanzania goverment, including during your visit. Before travelling, WE strongly recommends that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs. You should check any exclusions and, in particular, that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.
Tanzania Travel Forums
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Safaris & Tours
Tanzania is one of Africa’s top safari destinations. The wildlife viewing is out of this world and big cats are especially easy to see. All members of the Big Five can be found in various Tanzanian parks and reserves, and all five are present in the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park.
Mountain Climbing
The most frequent expeditions are obviously to Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru, but there are also other destinations such as the Crater Highlands. Trekking companies will happily put together an itinerary that suits your preferences and all other important details for your comfortability.
Beach Holidays
Unguja/Zanzibar Island, is the main island in the Tanzania. Stone Town, part of Zanzibar, is an old trade center, with mosques and winding lanes. The 1883 House of Wonders is a former sultan’s palace with a clock tower. The Old Fort now houses a cultural center and a stone amphitheater, The best beaches!
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