Dodoma.
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Overview

Located in Central Tanzania, Dodoma is the political capital of Tanzania.

Understand

In 1973, Dodoma was designated the new political capital of Tanzania. New parliament buildings were erected and plans were drafted to shift all government ministry offices to Dodoma by the early 1980s. However under the presidency of John Magufuli, the government move has been stepped up. Most ministries have now moved to Dodoma (or are in the process of moving) and most government meetings now take place there. Embassies as well as UN agencies remain in Dar es Salaam. Climate Dodoma's dry season lasts from May to November. The biggest share of Dodoma's annual rainfall (~600 mm) occurs during the wet season (December-April).

Get in

By bus There are many daily buses from Dar es Salaam. Driving time is 7-8 hours with a stop in Morogoro. Shabiby buses leave from Ubungo and use luxury buses. Around 11AM, air-conditioned buses with more legroom leave from Dar and from Dodoma. There are also buses to and from Arusha via Kondoa to the north. The road is paved and travel time is around 8 hours. There are buses from Dodoma going to Mwanza which take around 8 hours a long a good new road. There are also buses to and from Iringa. Travel time is about 6 hours on a winding gravel road of varying quality. The road passes right over the Mtera Dam, which is worth a look.

By train Dodoma is linked with Dar es Salaam by high-speed trains a few times per day. Express trains complete the journey in 2½ hours while ordinary trains takes an hour longer. Classic, much slower, MGR trains also calls at Dodoma on their way between Dar es Salaam and cities in the eastern Tanzania such as Kigoma, Mpanda, Mwanza and Tabora. Departures are two or three times per week in each direction and they are the better option for travelling long distances compared to buses, especially in the rainy season.

Flights can book up quickly so it is advised to buy tickets online in advance.

Mission Aviation Fellowships' (MAF) small planes fly throughout the country; they have a regular shuttle between Dodoma and Arusha every Monday and also fly regularly to Nairobi and Mbeya. It is also possible to join other flights; for more information see their website and subscribe to their Joiner List.

Get around

There are many minibuses (dala dala) in Dodoma and getting around is easy. Taxis are plentiful too and Bolt (formerly Taxify) now operates in the city. There are three bus stations: city, at a place called Jamatini; medium distance, at the Saba Saba bus stand, to moderate-distance places such as Mpwapwa and Mvumi. Long-distance busses leave from the main stand near the Parliament buildings. Some companies, e.g. Scandinavia, maintain their own bus stands.

Another way to get around is by bike. There are several places in town which sell or rent (TSh 5,000/day) bikes.

See

Bunge la Tanzania. The earthquake-proof Parliament buildings are a must, although access may be restricted. The building may only be photographed with permission from Dar es Salaam, so consider photography to be forbidden. To get permission to visit, write a letter to: Katibu wa Bunge, S.L.P 941, Dodoma; or to Katibu wa Bunge, S.L.P 9133, Dar Es Salaam

Do

Lion Rock. Hike the Lion Rock (also called Simba Hill) in the north of the city to have a nice view of the surroundings. However, do it in a group of at least 4 people as there have been reports of muggings.

Excursions. On request, Dodoma Travel Cafe offers trekking and excursions.

Swimming Pool. There are two places with a swimming pool: the New Dodoma Hotel (TSh 4,000 for non-guests), and Climax Club, near the prison, where you can buy food, watch TV, and spend the day.

Gym. The New Dodoma hotel also has a gym, 7AM-9AM and 5PM-7PM, closed Sundays, TSh 7,000 for non-guests. However the gym equipment is largely in poor condition. Another gym can be found next to the visitors entrance of the National Assembly and is in somewhat better condition.

Buy

Shabibi Supermarket. Small supermarket on the second floor of the Shabibi gas station.

Yashna's Supermarket. The biggest shop in the centre (that does not mean much) with pasta, canned vegetables, chocolates, biscuits, frozen cheese, ground coffee and some cosmetics.

Two Sisters. Cheese, dark bread rolls (sometimes), homemade delicious yoghurt, frozen foods, canned goods, pasta, wine,chocolates, candies, crisps, Indian snacks and very friendly owners.

Shoppers Plaza mall. has the biggest supermarket in Dodoma.

Equity bank. has a mastercard visa card atm.

CRDB. has a mastercard visa card atm.

DTB. has a mastercard visa card atm.

Eat

Chef Asili provides Tanzanian food as well as European options such as steaks and pizzas. Prices are reasonable and the restaurant is popular with government officials and MPs. No alcohol and serves food only after sunset during Ramadan.

New Dodoma Hotel has excellent European, Tanzanian, and Asian food. There is also a Chinese restaurant of excellent quality (the owners are Chinese). Meals begin around TSh 3000 at the snack bar and go up to TSh 12,000. Drinks start at TSh 2,000 for a Kilimanjaro domestic beer.

VETA has good food, when they eventually bring it to you, but choice can be limited unless you are there during Parliament sessions. Prices are reasonable.

Nam Hotel also has excellent food, at reasonable prices. It's on the other side of the airfield.

Aladin's Cave Market Street near Victory Bookshop, good milk shakes, home made ice cream, yoghurt, pizza and burgers. Opening hours 9:30AM-1PM and 3PM-6PM.

Roses's Cafe next to Cana Lodge, good and cheap Indian food (from TSh 2,000, Thali TSh 5,000), popular with expats, M-Sa 8AM-4PM and 6PM-10PM.

Leone l'Africano Area C north of the airfield, great original Italian pizza and pasta in very atmospheric setting, playground for kids. midget golf. Closed on Mondays. Once in the two weeks at Wednesday there is movie night (see: )

There are two great places for ordering traditional grilled pork (kiti moto). One is down the road from VETA at the highway junction. The other is on the other side of the air field at Jacana Park. Prices comparable. If you are fond of animals, hold your ears when they slaughter the pig.

There are also more atmospheric places, fresh and tasty on the Uhindini Road, across from Victory Bookshop, at reasonable prices.

Acacia Bar and Restaurant. Acacia Bar and Restaurant is located at Twiga Hotel in Miyuji - 7½ km from Dodoma town. The restaurant serves local cuisine such as chips mayai and nyama choma as well as wonderful dishes of lamb, beef, fish, chicken, pork and many others.

Drink

NK Disco operates on Friday nights and is popular with the younger set. A nice place to have a quiet drink and watch TV is at VETA.

Dodoma Wine and Cheese Hut is a charming outdoor wine bar offering Dodoma made wine by the glass or by the bottle, as well as cheese plates and pizzas.

Sleep

For those on a budget CCT church hostel, near the roundabout has clean double rooms, self-contained toilet, for TSh 15,000. Breakfast is included, but very basic. They do make an excellent omelet.

Kidia Vision Hotel. budget hotel. room with own bathroom. tv. free wifi. has own small restaurant

Kilondoma Inn. Double room with own bathroom.

Golden Rose Guest House. room with cold water bathroom free breakfast.

Calman Lodge. single/double room with own hot water bathroom. free breakfast.

New Dodoma Hotel. At the higher end of Dodoma's hotels but could do with some maintenance. They have a pool.