My journey began with a smooth arrival at Terminal 3 in Dar es Salaam after flying in from Doha, followed by a quick transfer to Terminal 2 for my connecting flight to Kilimanjaro. As I stepped off the plane and made my way toward the arrival hall, I experienced a random but casual yellow fever vaccination check—just a quick glance at my certificate while others walked right through.
The immigration area was well-organized: to the right, a line for visa-on-arrival applicants, and to the left, a much faster-moving queue for travelers with pre-approved e-visas. I breezed through in about ten minutes—the officer stamped my passport without a single question. Ahead of me, though, another passenger wasn’t as lucky, getting stopped for what seemed like a brief interrogation.
Terminal 3 was compact, with just a handful of baggage carousels. A quick scan of the display board led me to the right one, and soon I was wheeling my luggage outside. Terminal 2 was an easy ten-minute walk away—just a few hundred meters to the left. Since check-in counters only opened two hours before departure, my 8:30 AM flight meant arriving at 5:30 AM but waiting until 6:30 AM to drop my bags. No assistance here—I had to hoist my luggage onto the scale myself.
Terminal 2 was even smaller, with only a few check-in counters operating. The departure lounge felt cozy, with just eight gates—some lacking display screens. Without a gate number on my boarding pass, I had to rely on the central pillar screens or check each gate manually. Hungry? Options were limited: a café before security and a fast-food joint after. The airport’s Wi-Fi was handy—just agree to the terms, and you’re in. But unlike Doha’s unlimited access, here it cuts off after three hours.
As my plane took off, I caught a stunning aerial view of Dar es Salaam—a vibrant coastal city sparkling under the sun. And the airport staff? Totally laid-back, gathered in the hall, eyes glued to a football match. A fitting end to an already memorable travel experience.
Good to know about the yellow fever check—it’s always better to be prepared. Connecting flights can be tricky, so this guide will definitely help others avoid confusion. Glad you had a smooth transit overall!