Tanzania
Profiled in Dar es Salaam · East Africa
Dar es Salaam runs hot, loud and salty, a sprawling Indian Ocean port where dala-dala minibuses, dhow sails and glassy new towers all jostle for the same coastline.
Cost of living
What a month costs
Rent in the leafy expat pockets of Masaki and Oyster Bay is the big variable. Local food and transport are cheap, but imported goods, international schools and reliable backup power all carry a premium.
The scores
How it rates for a moving family
See and do
Top 10 in Dar es Salaam
- National Museum and House of CultureThe country's main museum, strong on the Olduvai and human-origins finds.
- Village MuseumAn open-air site with traditional houses from tribes across Tanzania.
- Kariakoo MarketThe huge, frantic central market for produce, spices and just about everything else.
- Coco BeachThe city's own Oyster Bay seafront, busiest and best on a Sunday afternoon.
- Askari MonumentThe bronze soldier at the heart of downtown, a handy central landmark.
- St Joseph's CathedralA Gothic German-era Catholic cathedral on the harbour waterfront.
- Azania Front Lutheran ChurchA red-roofed 1898 German church that is one of the port's signature buildings.
- Mwenge Carvers MarketRows of workshops selling Makonde ebony carvings and Tingatinga paintings.
- Kivukoni Fish MarketThe waterfront morning fish market where the day's catch comes in off the dhows.
- The SlipwayA waterfront shopping and dining complex on the Msasani Peninsula with a weekend craft market.
Where to go
Weekend escapes
- Zanzibar and Stone TownA quick flight or fast ferry across to the spice island, its old coral-stone lanes and white beaches.
- BagamoyoA historic coastal town north of the city with a heavy German colonial and slave-trade past.
- Bongoyo IslandA short boat hop off Msasani for snorkelling, grilled fish and an easy day on the sand.
- Mikumi National ParkThe closest big-game park to the city, good for a fast weekend safari without a long haul.
- Saadani National ParkThe rare place on the coast where the bush meets the beach and elephants wander near the ocean.
Coffee
Best cafes
- Epi d'OrA long-running French bakery and cafe, reliable for coffee, pastries and sandwiches.
- CafesserieA smart all-day cafe in the Oyster Bay area with good coffee and a wide menu.
Restaurants
Where to eat
- Mamboz Corner BBQA city institution for grilled meat and seafood, busy on the street from dusk.
- Addis in DarWell-loved Ethiopian food served the traditional way on injera.
- Akemi Revolving RestaurantAn upscale revolving spot high in the Golden Jubilee Tower with city and ocean views.
- The Slow LeopardA relaxed Masaki bar and bistro that is a fixture of the expat social scene.
- Cape Town Fish MarketA seafood and sushi favourite down at The Slipway on the water.
- 305 KarafuuA stylish Masaki restaurant known for its inventive tasting menus.
- MediterraneoAn Italian restaurant on the beach north of the centre, good for a long lunch by the sea.
Morning
Best breakfast
- Epi d'OrFresh croissants and a proper coffee make this a dependable morning stop.
- CafesserieA full breakfast menu of eggs, pancakes and juices in a cool setting.
- The Slow LeopardA popular spot for a slow weekend brunch in the shade.
Residency
Tanzania issues residence permits by class, with Class A for investors, Class B for employment and Class C for retirees and others. The process goes through the immigration department, is document-heavy and can be slow, so most newcomers use a local lawyer or their employer.
Tax
Residents are taxed on worldwide income at a top personal rate of 30 percent, and there is no special break for foreign residents. VAT sits at 18 percent, so day-to-day imported goods feel expensive.
Thinking about moving here for real? See the verified Tanzania residency and citizenship routes →
Curious what you would actually pay? See the Tanzania tax profile: income, corporate, VAT and exit rules →
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