Dar es Salaam Airport Lounges
Julius Nyerere International Airport · Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Julius Nyerere International (DAR) is Tanzania's busiest gateway, and its five lounges cluster around the newer Terminal 3, with one more in Terminal 2. They are mostly independent contract lounges reached on DragonPass or Priority Pass, with Star Alliance and SkyTeam status opening a few. The CIP Lounge has by far the widest access.
Content updated June 24, 2026
In a hurry? Skip the research.
Two bookable lounges at DAR, picked fresh each day — or browse the full directory below.
Sourced, never sponsored.
This guide is compiled from airline, alliance and lounge-operator sources plus published access rules from Priority Pass and DragonPass — we haven't independently visited every Julius Nyerere International Airport lounge yet. Nothing here is a paid placement, and the guide is updated as lounges open, close, renovate or change access policies. Read more about how we verify lounge data.
Last updated June 24, 2026
Where we'd actually go.
CIP Lounge
The CIP Lounge in Terminal 3 has the widest access of any DAR lounge — DragonPass, Priority Pass, SkyTeam and Star Alliance all get you in — and sits airside after passport control and security, so it works for the most travellers without needing a specific card or airline.
Twiga Lounge
The Twiga Lounge is a calm, African-inspired space airside on level 2 of Terminal 3, reached on DragonPass. With distinct zones for dining, working and relaxing, it's a reliable choice for travellers carrying DragonPass.
Twiga Business Lounge
The Twiga Business Lounge in Terminal 3 is the Priority Pass option at DAR — a quiet, leather-armchair space with natural light, suited to relaxing or getting some work done before a flight.
Twigga
The Twigga Lounge on the ground floor of Terminal 2 serves Star Alliance passengers from the older terminal, with a quiet TV area and a prayer room. The pick if you're flying from T2 rather than the newer Terminal 3.
Every lounge. 3 bookable right now.
CIP Lounge
★4.1The CIP Lounge sits airside in Terminal 3 at Dar es Salaam's Julius Nyerere International, just past passport control and security near boarding gate C6. It has the widest access of any DAR…
The Twiga Business Lounge is the Priority Pass option at Dar es Salaam's Julius Nyerere International, in Terminal 3. Soft, warm lighting and contemporary African-inspired decor set a…
Twiga Lounge
★4.6The Twiga Lounge is a tranquil, African-inspired space airside on level 2 of Terminal 3 at Dar es Salaam, reached on DragonPass. Soft, warm lighting, natural wood accents and subtle…
TAA Lounge
★4.6The TAA Lounge is on the first floor of Terminal 3 at Dar es Salaam's Julius Nyerere International, after security, serving Star Alliance passengers. Warm earth tones and subtle…
Twigga
★4.4The Twigga Lounge is on the ground floor of Terminal 2 at Dar es Salaam's Julius Nyerere International, serving Star Alliance passengers. The decor is modern yet warm, with soft lighting…
Julius Nyerere International Airport lounges by terminal.
Terminal 3
Terminal 3 is the newer international terminal at Dar es Salaam and holds the majority of the airport's lounges. The CIP Lounge sits airside after passport control and security and has the widest access of any DAR lounge, while the Twiga Lounge (DragonPass) and Twiga Business Lounge (Priority Pass) cover the main membership routes. The TAA Lounge is on the first floor after security for Star Alliance passengers.
- —The newer international terminal and the main lounge cluster at DAR
- —CIP Lounge takes DragonPass, Priority Pass, SkyTeam and Star Alliance
- —Twiga Lounge (DragonPass) and Twiga Business Lounge (Priority Pass) split the membership routes
- —TAA Lounge serves Star Alliance passengers on the first floor after security
Terminal 2
Terminal 2 is the older terminal at Julius Nyerere International. Lounge coverage here is limited to the Twigga Lounge on the ground floor, which serves Star Alliance passengers. If you're departing from Terminal 2 rather than the newer Terminal 3, this is the lounge to look for.
- —The older terminal, with a single lounge
- —Twigga Lounge serves Star Alliance passengers on the ground floor
- —Confirm which terminal your flight uses before choosing a lounge
How to get into lounges at DAR.
Dar es Salaam is a DragonPass and Priority Pass airport at heart — those two memberships open most of the lounges, which are independent contract lounges rather than airline-branded. Star Alliance and SkyTeam status reach a smaller set, led by the CIP Lounge, which accepts all four routes. Check whether your flight leaves from Terminal 3 or Terminal 2 before choosing where to wait.
DragonPass
DragonPass is accepted at the Terminal 3 CIP Lounge and the Twiga Lounge — one of the most useful memberships to carry at DAR, where most lounges are independent contract lounges rather than airline lounges.
DragonPassPriority Pass
Priority Pass works at the Terminal 3 CIP Lounge and the Twiga Business Lounge. Check the per-lounge page before you travel, as coverage is split between the Twiga-branded lounges by membership type.
Priority PassAirline & alliance lounges
Star Alliance status reaches the CIP Lounge and TAA Lounge in Terminal 3 and the Twigga Lounge in Terminal 2, while SkyTeam Elite Plus passengers can use the CIP Lounge. Access follows your ticket and frequent-flyer tier.
Star Alliance
SkyTeamBusiness & First class ticket
A business- or first-class ticket on a Star Alliance or SkyTeam carrier can get you into the aligned lounge in line with that airline's policy — the simplest route if you're flying premium out of Dar es Salaam.
Star AllianceSkyTeamKnow before you go.
Lead with a lounge membership
- —Most DAR lounges are independent contract lounges, so DragonPass or Priority Pass matters more than which airline you're flying.
- —The CIP Lounge in Terminal 3 is the one to head for if you carry either membership — it accepts both, plus Star Alliance and SkyTeam.
- —Twiga Lounge takes DragonPass while the Twiga Business Lounge takes Priority Pass — match the lounge to your card.
Mind the terminal
- —Most lounges are in the newer Terminal 3; only the Twigga Lounge is in Terminal 2.
- —Confirm whether your flight departs from Terminal 3 or Terminal 2 before deciding where to wait.
- —In Terminal 3, the lounges sit airside after passport control and security — clear the checkpoint first.
Give yourself time
- —Passport control and security at Dar es Salaam can be slow at peak — arrive early and don't bank on a long lounge stay.
- —Lounges can fill around the evening international departure bank; go earlier if you want a quiet seat.
- —These are calm, smaller lounges rather than sprawling flagships, so seating is finite at busy times.
Know what to expect
- —DAR's lounges lean towards quiet, contemporary spaces with African-inspired decor rather than large buffets or bars.
- —Several offer distinct zones for dining, working and relaxing, which helps if you need to get a little work done.
- —The Twigga Lounge in Terminal 2 has a prayer room and a TV area if those matter to you.
Frequently asked, frequently answered.
We track five lounges at Julius Nyerere International (DAR). Four are in the newer Terminal 3 — the CIP Lounge, Twiga Lounge, Twiga Business Lounge and TAA Lounge — and one, the Twigga Lounge, is in Terminal 2.
Yes. Priority Pass is accepted at the CIP Lounge and the Twiga Business Lounge, both in Terminal 3. DragonPass covers the CIP Lounge and the Twiga Lounge, so if you hold both, you have a choice of spaces in the newer terminal.
Yes. DragonPass opens the CIP Lounge and the Twiga Lounge in Terminal 3. It's one of the most useful memberships at DAR, where most lounges are independent contract lounges rather than airline-branded ones.
For the widest access, the CIP Lounge in Terminal 3 works on DragonPass, Priority Pass, SkyTeam and Star Alliance, and sits airside after passport control and security. It's the default choice for most travellers leaving from Terminal 3.
In Terminal 3, the lounges are airside — you'll pass passport control and security first, then follow the signs to the lounge. The CIP Lounge, for example, is near boarding gate C6 at the end of the airside hallway.
Yes. The Twigga Lounge is on the ground floor of Terminal 2 and serves Star Alliance passengers. If you're flying from Terminal 2 rather than the newer Terminal 3, this is the lounge to look for.
Not necessarily. Most DAR lounges are reached on a lounge membership such as DragonPass or Priority Pass rather than airline status. Star Alliance and SkyTeam status open a few lounges, led by the CIP Lounge, but a membership card is the most flexible route.
They are generally quiet, contemporary spaces with African-inspired decor and seating zones for dining, working and relaxing, rather than large flagship lounges. The CIP, Twiga and TAA lounges in Terminal 3 follow this calmer template, and the Twigga Lounge in Terminal 2 adds a prayer room and TV area.