Sauti za Busara 2027: A Dar es Salaam Stopover Guide
Sauti za Busara runs 19–21 March 2027 in Stone Town. How to get there through Dar es Salaam, the ticket types, the refund deadlines, and how to spend a day or two in Dar either side.
Zanzibar3 min readUpdated 16 September 2026
Sauti za Busara — "sounds of wisdom" — is East Africa's best-known music festival, three nights of African music inside the walls of the Old Fort in Stone Town. Most people who go fly into Dar es Salaam first, which makes the city the natural place to start and finish the trip.
The festival
- Dates
- 19–21 March 2027
- Venue
- Old Fort, Stone Town
- Stage
- 4pm–1:30am
- Edition
- 24th
The 2027 festival runs Friday 19 to Sunday 21 March. It was first planned for 11 to 14 March, and the organisers, Busara Promotions, moved it later "in consideration of the Holy month of Ramadhan and the Eid celebrations", so the audience, artists and the island itself can enjoy it properly.
Tickets
- Children
- 12 and under free, two per adult
- Online_Fee
- 5%, non-refundable
- Contact
- +255 678 018 634
Pass types from the official site, busaramusic.org:
- VIP Grandstand Pass — grandstand seating and the VIP bar.
- Regular International Pass — main stage, food court and public areas.
- Africa United and East African Resident Pass — half price, with an African passport or an EAC residence permit.
- Tanzanian Citizen Pass and a half-price Tanzanian VIP pass, with ID.
Refund deadlines for online tickets:
| Cancelled by | Refund |
|---|---|
| 31 January 2027 | 90% |
| 28 February 2027 | 40% |
| From 1 March 2027 | None |
Getting there from Dar
- Fast ferry from the Dar es Salaam port to Stone Town, around two hours. Book early for festival weekend.
- Flights are short and frequent.
- In Stone Town, the Old Fort is walking distance from the ferry port.
Our Zanzibar day trip guide covers the crossing in detail.
A day in Dar either side
- Arriving: sort your SIM, cash and transport with our arrival guide.
- Before: a morning at Kivukoni fish market, then Bongoyo Island. See things to do.
- After: rest your ears. A sunset dinner on the peninsula is the easy last night.
Midtown, Masaki
- Area
- Masaki
- Type
- Rooftop restaurant and lounge
- Music
- Live music
- Kitchen
- Jamaican and Swahili
Full disclosure, this is us. Midtown is a rooftop in Masaki with live music, a Jamaican and Swahili kitchen and a rum-led bar. It is a good place to start or end a festival trip.
Practical
- March is humid and can be wet; the long rains start around then. Pack a light rain layer.
- Stone Town dress: cover shoulders and knees in the streets.
- Crowds: keep your phone away and your bag in front.
- Book ferries and rooms early. Festival weekend fills the island.
Finish The Day On The Roof
Sunset seating in Masaki, Jamaican and Swahili cooking, and the last of the light over the city. Message or call to book.
Common questions
- When is Sauti za Busara 2027?
- 19 to 21 March 2027, in the Old Fort in Stone Town, Zanzibar. It is the 24th edition. The organisers moved it from earlier in March so it falls after Ramadan and the Eid celebrations. Main stage shows run from 4pm to 1:30am.
- How much are Sauti za Busara tickets?
- There are international passes, a VIP grandstand pass, a half-price Africa United and East African resident pass, and discounted Tanzanian citizen passes. Children aged 12 and under go free, up to two per adult. Check busaramusic.org for current prices. Online purchases carry a 5% non-refundable fee, and refunds drop from 90% until 31 January 2027 to 40% until 28 February and nothing from 1 March.
- How do I get from Dar es Salaam to Sauti za Busara?
- By fast ferry from the Dar port to Stone Town, which takes around two hours, or by a short flight. Book both early for festival weekend. The festival is inside the Old Fort in Stone Town, walking distance from the ferry port.
