Hotel
Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro
A 180-room harbourfront hotel on Kivukoni Front with an infinity pool, the Level 8 rooftop bar, an Anantara spa and views over the port and the…
A 146-room beach resort on the north coast, about 25 km from the city centre, with a private beach, pool and jetty bars, watersports and trips to Mbudya Island.
Good to know
White Sands Resort and Conference Centre is a large beach resort on the north coast of Dar es Salaam, about 25 kilometres from the city centre. It suits families, conference groups and anyone who wants a beach holiday within reach of the city, and it is one of the main departure points for day trips to Mbudya Island in the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve.
The resort has 146 air-conditioned seaside rooms in a range of sizes. Each has free Wi-Fi, an en-suite bathroom, a large bed with a mosquito net, tea and coffee facilities, a television and a balcony or terrace. The resort sits on a private beach with direct access to the sea, and there is a swimming pool.
For food and drink, there is a restaurant with ocean views and two bars serving light meals, one beside the swimming pool and the other on a jetty over the water, which is a pleasant place for an evening drink. Watersports are available from the beach, and the resort can arrange day trips to the uninhabited Mbudya Island for swimming, snorkelling and relaxing on its beaches. Families can also visit the nearby Water World water park, where entry is free for White Sands guests.
The resort suits families, couples and groups who want to combine time on the beach with an island day trip, and its conference facilities make it a common choice for business events. The trade-off is the distance from the historic centre: the drive into town can be slow in weekday traffic, so it is better as a beach base than for intensive sightseeing. If you want to see the city's museums and cathedrals, plan a single day for them, ideally with a driver or a guided tour, and leave early.
When booking, ask for a sea-facing room and check whether island trips, watersports and park fees are charged separately. Bring sun cream, a hat and insect repellent, and allow plenty of time to reach Julius Nyerere International Airport for departures. Combine a stay here with an evening at the Slipway or a meal on the Msasani Peninsula if you want a change of scene.
On the north coast of Dar es Salaam, about 25 kilometres from the city centre.
146 air-conditioned seaside rooms.
Yes. The resort has a private beach with direct sea access.
Yes, with a poolside bar.
Yes. Day trips to Mbudya Island can be arranged.
Yes. Guests also get free entry to the nearby Water World water park.
Free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a mosquito net, tea and coffee facilities, a TV and a balcony or terrace.
It is some distance from the centre, so it is better as a beach base; plan sightseeing days with a driver.
Tour operator
A locally owned operator based in Kigamboni running bicycle and walking tours of everyday Dar es Salaam, a Dar by Night music tour and safaris.
Restaurant
A revolving restaurant and bar high above Ohio Street in the city centre, known for its views, weekday lunch buffet, Sunday brunch and Friday live music.
Café
An all-day café and restaurant on the rocks at the Sea Cliff Hotel, at the northern tip of the Msasani Peninsula, with ocean views, seafood and…
Bar
The Hyatt Regency's rooftop bar on Kivukoni Front, with 360-degree views over the harbour and city, cocktails and live DJs from Wednesday to Sunday.