Dossing in Dar

Useful information for UK nationals coming into Dar Es Salaam international airport

As i'd read in a couple of places they have started doing single entry (only) visas at Dar airport. They're $50 for UK nationals (and they like it if you pay cash, as in greenbacks), do not believe the airline if they say you do not need a visa (Turkish airlines said I didn't).

The visas themselves are up to American/British standards, full page in the passport and holographic twigas everywhere. Don't think you can forge one ;)

If you plan to go to Kenya and come back, you will need one of the fancy double entry visas from the UK embassy/consulate, and they will cost more.

Regarding yellow-fever vaccinations, you don't need one if you're not from an endemic country. The little nursey type person tried to insist that I did, but if you insist back that you don't you'll be fine.

Warning: She seemed to think that if you'd spent more than 12 hours in an endemic country then that meant you needed a vaccination. I hadn't spent more than 12 hours in Nairobi so I was fine, but depending on your conscience you might want to fudge the truth a little if you got stuck somewhere.

You will be set upon by taxi drivers as soon as you leave the airport. You should not pay more than 15,000TSH.

And on with the story...

The flight from Nairobi to Dar Es Salaam was uneventful.

-- Text stream with Melinda --
> Getting off plain!!!!
> Plane even!!!
< Fuck. I'm stick in traffic :-(
> It's ok still visaing!!!
> Have visa and bag but where's Melinda ?!?!?!
> Fuck me, please come save from rabid taxi drivers
< Hey! I'm on my way- think i'm almost there. Traffic was ridiculous- So sorry! Just hang out inside somewhere cool and away from them for just a little bit more. And yey about the bag!
> No! That's the worst thing to do. Every time I go away and come back they've forgotten me:( Any idea how long?
> Poke!

Melinda is quite easy to spot from afar. She's quite short, but what she lacks in height she makes up for in presence. The big slightly goofy smile helped this time too, and I saw her all the way across the car park.

*big hugs*

We talked and walked with taxi people calling out after us, first it was 25,000 then 15,000 and eventually Melinda talked this little old guy into driving us back to our hostel (Econo Lodge) for the low low price of 7,000, which was insane.

We loaded up all the bags into the trunk and set off into Dar.

Traffic was indeed pretty crazy. Not just the amount but the variety. Everything and everyone from big industrial sized trucks to guys pulling these ox cart things made from old car / motorcycle / wheels and old scaffolding polls.

Upon arriving we went up to the room. The air conditioning is worth it if you have the option, of course Melinda, living in TZ for several months had gotten used to the stifling heat, and had opted out. If you have not had time to adjust DO NOT DO THE SAME. The shower provides some relief but its only temporary and then you're back out in the crazy heat of the Dar day.

We unpacked and I presented many gifts from far away lands, including a couple of kilos worth of Maltesers, a bottle of Zubrowka, some nice french wine, and a bunch of other random, virtually impossible (if you're in Tanzania) to get things.

Obligatory snuggling followed.

When it finally cooled off we ventured out and found this awesome Indian place. I can't remember what it was called (maybe Melinda will), but you just turn right out of econo lodge, turn right again and keep on walking, its attached to a big hotel thing, you can't miss it. They do the best buttered chicken ever, mmmm.