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To travel
from Arusha to Dar es Salaam
is easiest by air, however, this will cost about US$200 per person. The cheapest alternative is to travel by bus,
which is never advised by tour operators.
However, it need not be a nightmare as there are some good companies
operating in Tanzania.
The most
well known bus company must be the Scandinavia Express. They operate probably the best, safest and most
comfortable transport between the two cities it is, of course, the most
expensive private bus option - at US$25 per person - and to book in advance is
essential. In Arusha the offices for Scandinavia have moved to Kilembero Market – which is
close to the Shoprite supermarket. Scandinavia have recently been in huge debt and have had
some of their buses seized by the police this has made the headlines in the
East African news papers. It has also
made booking in Advance more essential as the fleet is depleted.
The ‘Dar
Express’ bus service comes a close second to Scandinavia
or maybe an equal first place. They have
different classes of busses and when at the booking Office – which is situated
close to the Kimahama Bookshop [about
500m up hill from the Arusha Stadium] – it is essential to say you want the
first class bus which should cost about US$18 per person. Dar Express are, without doubt, my favourite
company and I would recommend this company above all others. However, some of the coaches do not have a
toilet - although this may in fact be a blessing – as you travel in the African
heat [and especially if you are sat toward the rear of the bus] a toilet may
not seem such a luxury after most of the passengers have taken advantage of the
service. The smell can become quite
overpowering and the journey is a long one – about ten hours.
If you opt
for the cheaper end of the market, most busses leave from the Bus Station close
to the ‘Stadium’. Buffalo seem to be a favourite but they travel
too fast. Speed is not a good thing as in places the road is single carriageway,
it winds and there are hills slowly slowly is the best way to ensure you get
from Arusha to Dar es Salaam alive.
I would
recommend either Fresh Coach or Amazon Coach – the ticket price must be
negotiated and do not pay more than US$10 per person. The last of each of these coaches leaves
Arusha Bus Station at 8 am sharp. Tickets
are usually sold by freelance workers and as the commission is good – the more
they charge the more pay they take home – competition is fierce. If you are a westerner then you will be
targeted and you will be surrounded by enthusiastic ticker touts. This experience is not for the faint
hearted. Hang onto your luggage and watch
out [as you would as a tourist anywhere in the world] for pickpockets.
Fresh coach
and Amazon travel to Dar es Salaam at a more leisurely pace and they are safer
than the full steam ahead express buses.
If you want
to leave Arusha and travel by bus to make the ferry crossing to Zanzibar in a single day - I would suggest leaving Arusha around
6 am to ensure you are in Dar es
Salaam by 2pm.
That gives you a good couple of hours to get from the Bus Station into
town and to the ferry, buy your ticket.
The site http://www.tanzania-info.co.uk has full details and timetables for Zanzibar
Ferries, flights and Buses in Tanzania
– and http://www.betheladventure.co.uk
has safari information. Use responsible
tourism to make a difference to the countries and peoples you visit.
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