AFCON Tanzania 2027

The Ultimate AFCON 2027 Bucket List for Tanzania — 20 Things to Do Beyond the Football

AFCON 2027 in Tanzania is not just a football tournament. It is a doorway into one of the most extraordinary countries on earth — a nation of Indian Ocean islands, snow-capped mountains, ancient spice trade cities and the greatest wildlife spectacle on the planet. Most fans will come for the football and leave having experienced something that changes how they see Africa entirely. Here are 20 things to do while you are here that have nothing to do with the final score.

In Dar es Salaam

1. Watch Sunset at Coco Beach

Dar es Salaam’s most beloved public beach on the Msasani Peninsula. No entry fee, cold local beer from the vendors along the shore, and an Indian Ocean sunset that turns the sky every shade of orange and gold.

On Tanzania match nights this beach becomes a fan zone. On any other evening it is simply one of the most beautiful places in East Africa to sit and do nothing. Go at around 17:30 and stay until dark.

2. Eat at the Slipway Food Park

A waterfront complex of restaurants, bars and food stalls on the Msasani Peninsula. Not the cheapest option in DSM but reliably excellent — fresh seafood, grilled meats, cold drinks and a harbour view. On match nights it transforms into one of the city’s biggest fan zones. Worth visiting on a non-match night too for a relaxed dinner with the Indian Ocean in front of you.

3. Walk Around Kariakoo Market

The real Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s largest and most chaotic urban market — a maze of stalls selling everything from fresh fish and tropical fruit to phone accessories, fabrics and spices. Go on a weekday morning when it is at its most alive. Eat maandazi and drink fresh juice from the market vendors for under a dollar. Keep your phone in your front pocket and embrace the organised chaos.

4. Try Nyama Choma at a Local Joint

Not at a tourist restaurant. Find a local nyama choma spot recommended by your hotel or a Tanzanian you meet — a roadside place with plastic chairs, charcoal grills and goat meat that has been cooking since morning. Order it with ugali and kachumbari, eat with your hands if the custom suggests it, and understand why Tanzanians consider this the greatest food on earth. Budget 15,000 to 25,000 TZS.

5. Visit the National Museum

Tanzania’s National Museum in the city centre houses some of the most significant archaeological finds in human history — including fossil remains from Olduvai Gorge in the Rift Valley that pushed back the known timeline of human evolution. It is not a flashy museum but the content is genuinely remarkable. Budget two hours and go in the morning before the heat peaks. Entry is a few thousand shillings.

6. Take a Boat to Bongoyo Island

A small uninhabited marine reserve island 8km off the DSM coast. Hire a boat from Slipway — takes about 20 minutes. White sand, clear water, snorkelling, picnic area and a beach bar. No cars, no noise, no crowds on weekdays. Exactly what you need between two intense match days. Boats run from around 09:00. Go early and come back in the afternoon.

In Zanzibar

7. Get Lost in Stone Town

Do not plan this one. Put your phone away, pick a direction and walk. Stone Town’s narrow alleys, carved wooden doors, ancient mosques, Portuguese fort and crumbling Omani mansions are best discovered by getting genuinely lost. Every corner holds something — a spice seller, a child’s football game against an ancient wall, a rooftop view over terracotta rooftops to the ocean. Budget a full day and no agenda.

8. Eat Everything at Forodhani Night Market

Stone Town’s waterfront food market opens every evening at sunset and is one of the great street food experiences anywhere in the world. Grilled octopus cooked to order, Zanzibar pizza in every flavour, fresh sugarcane juice, coconut water and mishkaki skewers for a few hundred shillings each. Eat everything. Talk to the vendors. Watch the dhows in the harbour. Stay until the market closes. This costs about $3 USD for a full meal and is worth more than most $50 restaurant dinners.

9. Go on a Spice Farm Tour

Zanzibar was the spice capital of the world for centuries — cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, black pepper and nutmeg all grew here and changed global cuisine forever. A half-day spice farm tour costs $15 to $25 USD including transport and takes you to working farms where guides explain how each spice grows, what it looks, smells and tastes like fresh from the plant, and how the trade routes shaped the island’s history. One of the best half-days you can spend anywhere in East Africa.

10. Watch the Sunset from Kendwa Beach

Zanzibar’s north coast is famous for sunsets but Kendwa specifically — just south of the more crowded Nungwi — has the calmest water, the least crowded beach and a genuinely stunning view as the sun drops into the Indian Ocean. The full moon parties at Kendwa Rocks are legendary. If your AFCON schedule aligns with a full moon, this is unmissable.

11. Snorkel at Mnemba Atoll

The best snorkelling in Tanzania and among the best in the entire Indian Ocean. Mnemba Atoll off the northeast coast of Zanzibar has dolphins, sea turtles, reef fish in extraordinary variety, and seasonal whale sharks. Half-day snorkel trips depart from Matemwe and Nungwi. Book through your hotel — reputable operators cost $40 to $60 USD and include equipment, guide and boat. If you have never snorkelled before, this is the place to start.

12. Swim in the Indian Ocean at Nungwi

This sounds simple but it is not. The Indian Ocean at Nungwi on a clear June morning — warm, turquoise, calm enough to float — is one of those experiences that stops you mid-thought and makes you entirely present. No Instagram caption does it justice. Swim out past the dhows, float on your back and look at the sky. That is it. That is the whole activity.

In Arusha and Northern Tanzania

13. Go on Safari in the Serengeti

The Serengeti in June and July hosts the Great Migration — one to two million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra moving north through the plains in one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth. This is not a zoo. This is 15,000 square kilometres of open savannah with lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs and a horizon that goes on forever. A two-day safari from Arusha costs from $400 to $800 USD per person depending on operator and accommodation. Book months in advance — operators fill up during AFCON period.

14. Visit Ngorongoro Crater

The world’s largest intact volcanic caldera — a 260 square kilometre bowl that functions as a natural enclosure for one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. You will see lions, elephants, hippos, flamingos and possibly black rhino in a single half-day game drive without leaving the crater floor. Closer to Arusha than the Serengeti and easier to combine with a single match day schedule. Entrance fees apply — go with a licensed operator.

15. See Mount Kilimanjaro

You almost certainly will not climb it — the summit takes 6 to 8 days. But seeing it is free and extraordinary. On a clear morning from Arusha — which is most mornings in June and July — Kilimanjaro appears above the clouds as a snow-covered volcanic cone hanging impossibly high above the horizon. Drive toward Moshi for the clearest views. The sight of Africa’s highest mountain from the road at sunrise on the way to an AFCON match is something you will describe for the rest of your life.

16. Do a Walking Safari in Arusha National Park

Fifteen kilometres from Arusha town centre. The only place near any of the AFCON host cities where you can walk alongside wildlife on foot — giraffe, zebra, buffalo, colobus monkeys and flamingo lakes. A half-day walking safari costs $60 to $100 USD and needs no overnight stay. Perfect for the day before or after an Arusha match when you do not want a long drive but want something genuinely memorable. Book through a licensed operator in Arusha town.

17. Drink Ethiopian Coffee in Arusha

Arusha has a substantial East African diaspora community and several excellent Ethiopian restaurants serving the traditional coffee ceremony — three rounds of strong, spiced coffee served with popcorn in a ritual that takes about an hour. It is a cultural experience as much as a drink. Find one on Haile Selassie Road, arrive with time to spare and let the ceremony happen at its own pace. Cost around 5,000 to 10,000 TZS.

Across Tanzania

18. Learn Three Words of Swahili and Use Them

Not from a phrasebook. From a Tanzanian. Ask your hotel receptionist, your bajaji driver or the person selling you nyama choma to teach you something. “Twende Taifa Stars” — let’s go Tanzania. “Asante sana” — thank you very much. “Pole pole” — slowly slowly, the national philosophy of life. Use each one genuinely once and watch the reaction. No amount of money buys what those three phrases will give you in terms of human connection.

19. Watch a Local Football Match

Simba SC versus Young Africans — the Dar es Salaam derby — is one of the most intense football atmospheres in Africa. If a local league match falls during your AFCON trip, go. The drums, the colour, the absolute commitment of the local fans and the football itself will give you a completely different perspective on the sport than any international tournament. Ask at your hotel or check Tanzania Premier League fixtures for what is scheduled during your stay.

20. Stay One Day Longer Than You Planned

Every AFCON 2027 visitor who has ever been to Tanzania before will tell you the same thing — you always wish you had stayed longer. Book your return flight with at least one buffer day after your last planned activity. Use it for whatever the trip has shown you that you did not expect to love. It might be a beach. It might be a market. It might be sitting in a fan zone with people you met three days ago watching a match you had no stake in. Tanzania has a way of producing those moments. Leave room for them.

For everything you need to plan your AFCON 2027 Tanzania trip — visas, money, health, transport and stadium guides — visit our complete practical guide. For detailed guides to each host city visit our Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Zanzibar city guides. And for finding a venue to watch every match visit our where to watch guide.

Swahili for AFCON 2027 Fans — 40 Essential Phrases for Tanzania

No single thing will earn you more goodwill in Tanzania during AFCON 2027 than making an effort with Swahili. Tanzanians are warm, welcoming and deeply proud of their language — Kiswahili is not just the national language, it is a source of cultural identity across East Africa. You do not need to be fluent. Ten phrases used genuinely will open doors, produce smiles and give you experiences that no amount of money can buy. Here are 40 to get you started.

How Swahili Works — Before You Start

Swahili pronunciation is almost entirely phonetic — every letter is pronounced, there are no silent letters and vowels are always consistent. Once you learn the five vowels you can read almost anything out loud correctly.

• A — always like “ah” as in “father”
• E — always like “eh” as in “get”
• I — always like “ee” as in “feet”
• O — always like “oh” as in “go”
• U — always like “oo” as in “food”

Stress almost always falls on the second-to-last syllable. So “asante” is “ah-SAN-teh” not “AH-san-teh.” Keep this rule in mind and your pronunciation will be understood immediately.

Essential Greetings — Start Every Interaction Here

Tanzanians exchange greetings properly. Do not rush past this step to get to your question or transaction. Take five seconds to greet properly and the entire interaction changes.

Politeness — The Words That Matter Most

Practical Phrases — Day to Day

Football Phrases — For the Stadium and Fan Zones

These are the phrases that will make you part of the crowd rather than a spectator of it.

Numbers — For Prices and Transport

Emergency Phrases — Know These Before You Need Them

Fan Culture — What to Expect in the Stands

Tanzanian football crowds are among the most joyful in Africa. Do not expect the reserved atmosphere of a European stadium. Expect drums, singing, dancing, chanting and colour from the first minute. Here is what you will hear and see:

The drums — ngoma drums are central to the matchday atmosphere. Groups of drummers set the rhythm for chants and the whole stand follows. If you hear a beat start, something is building.

Taifa Stars colours — green and yellow. If you want to blend in with local fans for Tanzania matches, pick up a green or yellow item from any market. Kariakoo Market in DSM sells replica kits and scarves for a few thousand shillings.

Pole pole — pronounced POH-lay POH-lay, meaning “slowly, slowly.” This is the philosophical underpinning of Tanzanian life. Things happen at their own pace. Embrace it rather than fight it and your experience will be infinitely better.

Pamoja — the tournament name means “together” in Swahili and is the word you will hear more than any other during AFCON 2027. It reflects something genuine about how Tanzanians approach the tournament — not just as hosts, but as a community welcoming the continent.

The One Phrase That Guarantees a Reaction

If you learn nothing else from this entire article, learn this:

“Twende Taifa Stars!” — Let’s go Tanzania!

Shout this at a fan zone, at the stadium or even just walking past a group of local fans in their colours and watch what happens. You will be welcomed immediately, offered food, photographed and probably invited to join the group. It is the fastest way to go from tourist to participant in the greatest football tournament East Africa has ever hosted.

For everything you need before travelling to Tanzania for AFCON 2027 — visas, money, health and emergency contacts — visit our complete practical guide. For what to expect in each host city visit our Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Zanzibar city guides.

Tanzania SIM Card Guide for AFCON 2027 — Airtel, Vodacom, Yas, Halotel or TTCL?

Tanzania has one of the most competitive mobile markets in East Africa — four main operators, genuine 5G coverage reaching 30% of the population, and some of the best data prices on the continent. When you land for AFCON 2027, buying a local SIM is the single most useful thing you can do. Roaming charges from your home network can cost $10–20 USD per day. A Tanzanian SIM gives you 10GB of 4G or 5G data for $5–8 USD. Here is exactly which network to choose.

The Four Main Networks

Tanzania has four main mobile network operators. According to the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) official statistics for mid-2025, the market breaks down as follows:

• 1st — Vodacom Tanzania: 32.1% market share
• 2nd — Yas (formerly Tigo): 28.1% market share
• 3rd — Airtel Tanzania: 22.4% market share
• 4th — Halotel Tanzania: remaining share

TTCL exists as a fifth operator but has a very small mobile market share and is primarily a fixed-line and broadband provider. It is not a practical choice for visiting fans.

Vodacom Tanzania — Market Leader

Vodacom is Tanzania’s largest operator by both subscribers and revenue. It was the first network to launch 5G in Tanzania in September 2020 and has the most advanced 5G deployment in the country, with coverage active in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.

• Technology: 4G LTE nationwide. 5G active in DSM and Zanzibar.
• 5G speed: Tested at 30+ Mbps download in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar in early 2025
• Coverage: Excellent across all three host cities. Best rural coverage of any operator.
• Mobile money: M-Pesa — market leader with 41% share of mobile money subscriptions
• Data cost: Approximately $6–8 USD for 10GB
• Top-up: M-Pesa, Vodacom app or dial *150*00#
• Best for: Anyone wanting 5G speeds, widest coverage, or M-Pesa mobile payments

Yas Tanzania (formerly Tigo) — Strong Second

Yas rebranded from Tigo in recent years and is a strong second in the market. If you see Tigo branding at older outlets, it is the same network. Mixx by Yas is the second largest mobile money platform in Tanzania.

• Technology: 4G LTE across major cities
• Coverage: Excellent in DSM. Good in Arusha and Zanzibar City.
• Mobile money: Mixx by Yas — second largest mobile money platform
• Data cost: Approximately $5–7 USD for 10GB — competitive pricing
• Top-up: Mixx by Yas app or dial *150*01#
• Best for: Fans who want a large network at a slightly lower price than Vodacom

Airtel Tanzania — Solid Third

Airtel is Tanzania’s third-largest operator with solid 4G coverage across the host cities and competitive data bundle pricing. A reliable choice particularly in urban areas.

• Technology: 4G LTE across all major cities
• Coverage: Good in DSM, Arusha and Zanzibar City. Variable on east coast of Zanzibar.
• Mobile money: Airtel Money — third largest mobile money platform
• Data cost: Approximately $5–7 USD for 10GB
• Top-up: Airtel Money app or dial *149#
• Best for: Budget-conscious fans, good all-round option in urban areas

Halotel Tanzania — Fourth Operator

Halotel is a Vietnamese-owned operator that has expanded steadily since launching in 2016. It has grown its rural coverage significantly and can be useful for fans travelling overland between cities, but it is the smallest of the four main operators in urban areas.

• Technology: 4G LTE. Strong rural expansion programme.
• Coverage: Growing in urban areas. Useful in rural corridors between cities.
• Data cost: Often the cheapest bundles available
• Top-up: Halotel app or dial *150*03#
• Best for: Fans travelling overland through rural Tanzania, or extreme budget travellers

Tanzania’s 5G — The Real Picture

Tanzania launched 5G commercially in 2020 — well ahead of most African nations. As of December 2025, 5G covers 30.1% of the population and 10.5% of the geographic area. For AFCON 2027 fans, this means genuine 5G speeds are available in parts of Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar on the Vodacom network. Arusha is primarily 4G LTE. In practical terms, 4G LTE in Tanzania is fast and reliable for all fan needs — Bolt, Maps, WhatsApp — even where 5G is not yet available.

Where to Buy

All four operators have desks in arrivals halls at Julius Nyerere International (DSM), Kilimanjaro International (Arusha) and Abeid Amani Karume (Zanzibar). Buy at the airport — you walk out connected. Bring your passport as registration is required by law.

How Much Data You Need

For a two-week trip — Bolt, Maps, WhatsApp, social media — budget 8–12GB. Heavy social media or video streaming: get 20GB. All operators allow easy top-ups via app or shortcode.

Connectivity by City

Dar es Salaam — all four operators perform well. Vodacom 5G active in commercial areas . Stadium zone fully covered.

Arusha — good 4G across town. Download offline maps before any safari — no signal in Serengeti or Ngorongoro.

Zanzibar — good 4G in Stone Town and Nungwi. Vodacom has 5G in parts of the island. East coast can be patchy — download maps before heading there.

For visa requirements, currency, health and emergency contacts visit our complete practical guide. For what to expect in each host city see our city guides.

The Ultimate AFCON 2027 Packing List for Tanzania — What to Bring, What to Leave Behind

You have your ticket. You have your eVisa. Now comes the question every AFCON 2027 fan travelling to Tanzania will face at some point . What do I actually pack? Tanzania in June and July is warm, dry and spectacular, but it spans three very different host cities with different climates, dress codes and practical needs. This list covers everything.

Documents — The Non-Negotiables

Before you think about clothes or gadgets, get your documents sorted. Pack physical copies of everything and store digital backups in your email and cloud storage.

• Passport — valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date
• Tanzania eVisa approval — print it. Also save to phone. Do both.
• Match tickets — printed and digital copies
• Travel insurance certificate — including the emergency phone number
• Return flight confirmation
• Hotel/accommodation booking confirmation
• Yellow fever certificate — required if arriving from an endemic country
• International driving licence — only if you plan to rent a car or scooter

Keep originals in your bag at all times. Leave copies at your accommodation. A photographed copy of your passport stored in your email has saved thousands of travellers from serious problems.

Clothes — Pack for Three Climates

This is where AFCON 2027 in Tanzania gets interesting. Dar es Salaam is hot and coastal. Arusha is cool and highland. Zanzibar is warm with a Muslim dress code in Stone Town. You may visit all three.

Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar beaches (25–30°C, humid)

• Lightweight breathable shirts — linen or technical fabric
• Shorts for the beach and casual evenings
• Swimwear
• One smart-casual outfit for better restaurants
• Comfortable walking sandals
• Flip flops for the beach

Zanzibar Stone Town (same temperature — different dress code)

• Long trousers or a long skirt — cover knees when walking around Stone Town
• A light shirt with sleeves — cover shoulders as a courtesy in this predominantly Muslim area
• This is not strictly enforced but is appreciated and respectful

Arusha (15–26°C, cool evenings)

• A lightweight fleece or hoodie — essential for evening matches and early mornings
• Long trousers for evenings
• Closed shoes — it gets properly cold after dark at 1,400m altitude

For all stadiums

• Your team colours or Tanzania kit
• A cap or sun hat — afternoon matches at 14:00 EAT are very hot in open stands
• A light rain jacket — occasional evening showers possible in DSM

Health and Medicine

See your travel doctor or clinic at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Tanzania has a genuine malaria risk and several recommended vaccinations.

• Malaria prophylaxis — prescribed by your doctor. Doxycycline or Malarone are common options. Start before travel.
• DEET mosquito repellent — 50% concentration minimum. Apply every evening.
• Rehydration sachets — essential for any stomach upset from food or heat
• Imodium — traveller’s stomach is real. Pack it.
• Paracetamol and ibuprofen
• Antihistamines
• Sunscreen SPF 50 — UV is intense even in dry season. Reapply every 2 hours at outdoor matches.
• Any personal prescription medication — bring enough for the full trip plus a week extra
• Small first aid kit — plasters, antiseptic wipes, blister pads

Tech and Electronics

• Universal power adapter — Tanzania uses Type D and G plugs (3 pin). Essential.
• Power bank — large capacity (20,000mAh minimum). Power cuts happen. Charge at every opportunity.
• Unlocked smartphone — you will buy a local SIM on arrival. Make sure your phone accepts foreign SIMs.
• Charging cables — bring backups. They break.
• Headphones — long travel days between cities
• Camera or phone with a good camera — you will want to remember this
• Offline maps downloaded — download Google Maps offline for Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Zanzibar before you leave home

Money

• USD cash — $200 to $400 in mixed notes. Post-2009 notes only — older notes are often refused. Small denominations for street food and tips.
• Debit card for ATMs — notify your bank before travel.
• Credit card for hotels — Visa and Mastercard accepted at most international hotels.

Do not rely solely on cards. Markets, fan zones, street food, dala-dala and bajaj all require cash. You will be surprised how quickly you run out if you are not prepared.

Apps to Download Before You Leave

• Bolt — the most reliable ride-hailing app in Tanzania. Set up your account and payment method before arrival.
• Google Maps — download offline maps for all three cities
• XE Currency — live exchange rates for TZS, KES, UGX and USD
• WhatsApp — how Tanzania communicates. Your hotel, guide and contact will likely reach you here.
• CAF official app — for fixtures, results and any tournament updates

What to Leave at Home

• Valuables you cannot afford to lose — expensive jewellery, secondary passports, irreplaceable items
• Drone — requires permits in Tanzania and is not worth the hassle for a short trip
• Too many shoes — two pairs maximum. One smart, one comfortable walking shoe.
• Heavy luggage — if you are moving between DSM, Arusha and Zanzibar, a 20–25kg bag becomes a genuine problem. Pack light.

The One-Bag Test

Before you close your bag, do this: pick it up and walk around your house for 5 minutes. If it feels too heavy now, it will feel impossible after a 12-hour journey, a hot customs queue and a crowded bus terminal. Cut something. You can buy most things you forget in Dar es Salaam — there are excellent supermarkets and markets at the city centre.

For everything else you need to prepare for AFCON 2027 in Tanzania — visa requirements, SIM cards, health advice and emergency contacts — visit our complete practical guide. And for what to expect in each host city, see our Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Zanzibar city guides.

How to Travel from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam for AFCON 2027 — The Complete Guide

For the thousands of Kenyan fans travelling to Dar es Salaam for AFCON 2027, the journey between East Africa’s two biggest cities is one of the first things to plan. The good news: there are four ways to make the trip, covering every budget and every preference. This guide covers all of them — with realistic costs, journey times and the things nobody tells you until you are already on the road.

Option 1 — Fly (Fastest)

The quickest way from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam is a direct flight — approximately 1 hour 45 minutes in the air. Kenya Airways, Precision Air and Jambojet all operate this route. During the AFCON 2027 tournament period, expect prices to be significantly higher than normal and flights to sell out weeks in advance.

Book as early as possible. A return flight booked 3–4 months ahead typically costs $120–200 USD. The same flight booked two weeks before the match can be $350–500 USD or more. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi connects to Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam — both are well served by taxis and ride-hailing apps on arrival.

Best for: Anyone who values time over money, or is making the trip just for a single match.

Option 2 — Bus (Most Popular)

The overland bus between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam is the most popular choice for East African travellers — and for good reason. It is comfortable, affordable and gives you a genuine sense of the landscape between the two countries. The journey takes approximately 12 to 14 hours depending on the operator and border wait times.

The main operators are Dar Express, Kampala Coach and Modern Coast. All depart from central Nairobi and arrive at the Dar es Salaam bus terminal. Tickets cost approximately $30–50 USD each way. Book at least a week in advance during the tournament — these coaches fill up fast.

Buses cross the Tanzania border at Namanga or Holili/Taveta. Both crossings are straightforward for AFCON fans holding a valid Tanzania eVisa or PAMOJA multi-entry visa. Have your passport, eVisa approval letter and return ticket accessible — border officers will ask for all three.

Pro tip: Book a window seat on the left side of the bus travelling south — you get a clear view of Mount Kilimanjaro as you pass through Arusha, weather permitting. It is one of the great travel moments in East Africa.

Best for: Budget-conscious fans, first-time visitors to East Africa who want to see the landscape, and anyone with a flexible schedule.

Option 3 — SGR Train to Mombasa + Ferry (Scenic Route)

This is the route for fans who want an experience rather than just a journey. Take the SGR (Standard Gauge Railway) from Nairobi to Mombasa — a 5-hour journey on Kenya’s modern express train costing approximately $15–25 USD. From Mombasa, take a ferry across to Likoni or catch a direct bus connection south along the Kenyan coast to the Tanzania border at Lunga Lunga / Horohoro. Cross into Tanzania and continue by bus or shared taxi to Dar es Salaam.

The total journey takes around 14 to 18 hours including connections, but the SGR train itself is genuinely excellent — air conditioned, comfortable seats, reliable WiFi and a dining car. The coastal road through Mombasa and into Tanzania is beautiful.

Best for: Fans who want to combine the trip with time in Mombasa, or who enjoy train travel and coastal scenery.

Option 4 — Drive (For the Adventurous)

The overland drive from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam covers approximately 850km and takes 10 to 12 hours in good conditions. The main route goes via Arusha on the A104, crosses into Tanzania at Namanga, continues through Arusha and Dodoma, and arrives in Dar es Salaam from the north.

This route is paved and in reasonable condition throughout. A 4WD is not necessary for this specific journey. You will need a valid driving licence, proof of vehicle insurance valid in Tanzania, and your passport with Tanzania eVisa for the border crossing. Fuel is available throughout — fill up before border crossings where prices may be less predictable.

Best for: Groups of four or more splitting fuel costs, fans who want complete flexibility on timing and stopovers, and those adding AFCON to a longer East Africa road trip.

Border Crossing — What to Know

Regardless of how you travel, you will cross from Kenya into Tanzania at one of several border points. The busiest for this route are Namanga (on the Nairobi–Arusha highway) and Lunga Lunga (on the coastal route). During AFCON 2027, expect significantly higher volumes than normal at all crossings.

• Have your Tanzania eVisa approval printed or clearly saved on your phone
• Carry your return ticket or onward travel proof
• Have your accommodation confirmation for Tanzania
• Yellow fever certificate is required if you have recently visited an endemic country
• The PAMOJA multi-entry visa ($100 USD) is strongly recommended if crossing between Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda during the tournament

Border wait times during normal periods are typically 30 to 90 minutes. During peak AFCON match days, allow considerably longer — experienced travellers suggest crossing at least 5 to 6 hours before kick-off if you are cutting it close.

Getting Around Dar es Salaam Once You Arrive

Whether you arrive at the airport, the bus terminal or the ferry port, the easiest way into the city is Bolt or Uber. Download both apps and set up your account before leaving Nairobi — you will want them working immediately on arrival. The DSM bus terminal is in Ubungo, approximately 15km from the city centre and 20km from Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

For fans staying in Msasani, Masaki or Oyster Bay — the main tourist and hotel districts — a Bolt from the bus terminal costs approximately $8–15 USD depending on traffic. Dar es Salaam traffic is famously congested during rush hours (7–9am and 5–8pm). If your bus arrives during these windows, factor in extra journey time.

Practical Summary

Whichever route you choose, book early — AFCON 2027 will bring an unprecedented volume of football fans into Tanzania and transport between the co-host cities will be under real pressure during match weeks. The earlier you sort your travel, the better your options and the lower your costs.

For everything you need once you arrive in Dar es Salaam — stadiums, fan zones, where to stay and what to eat — visit our complete Dar es Salaam city guide. And for visa and border crossing details, see our full practical info page.