Dar es Salaam Transit Guide: Essential Entry Tips & Travel Requirements for Smooth Transit

My journey began with a smooth arrival at Terminal 3 in Dar es Salaam after flying in from Doha, followed by a quick transfer to Terminal 2 for my connecting flight to Kilimanjaro. As I stepped off the plane and made my way toward the arrival hall, I experienced a random but casual yellow fever vaccination check—just a quick glance at my certificate while others walked right through.

The immigration area was well-organized: to the right, a line for visa-on-arrival applicants, and to the left, a much faster-moving queue for travelers with pre-approved e-visas. I breezed through in about ten minutes—the officer stamped my passport without a single question. Ahead of me, though, another passenger wasn’t as lucky, getting stopped for what seemed like a brief interrogation.

Terminal 3 was compact, with just a handful of baggage carousels. A quick scan of the display board led me to the right one, and soon I was wheeling my luggage outside. Terminal 2 was an easy ten-minute walk away—just a few hundred meters to the left. Since check-in counters only opened two hours before departure, my 8:30 AM flight meant arriving at 5:30 AM but waiting until 6:30 AM to drop my bags. No assistance here—I had to hoist my luggage onto the scale myself.

Terminal 2 was even smaller, with only a few check-in counters operating. The departure lounge felt cozy, with just eight gates—some lacking display screens. Without a gate number on my boarding pass, I had to rely on the central pillar screens or check each gate manually. Hungry? Options were limited: a café before security and a fast-food joint after. The airport’s Wi-Fi was handy—just agree to the terms, and you’re in. But unlike Doha’s unlimited access, here it cuts off after three hours.

As my plane took off, I caught a stunning aerial view of Dar es Salaam—a vibrant coastal city sparkling under the sun. And the airport staff? Totally laid-back, gathered in the hall, eyes glued to a football match. A fitting end to an already memorable travel experience.