Dodoma

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, due to limited water supplies, other environmental factors, and cost, this proved difficult and the plan was all but forgotten for several decades. 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 fro May to November. The biggest share of Dodoma's annual rainfall (~600 mm) occurs during the wet season (December-April).

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 on the Central Railway Line which goes from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza or Kigoma. If you are in a hurry the better choice is by bus for Dodoma to Mwanza. If the train service is running and you are heading west to Kigoma the train is better, especially in the rainy season.
 * the train departs Dodoma on Friday and Monday at 6:40PM and you get to Dar the next day at 8:50AM.
 * the train departs Dodoma on Wednesday and Saturday at 8:10AM and you get to Mwanza the next day at 7:25AM.

A high-speed rail link is being constructed between Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, Dodoma and Tabora and the first section (Dar-Morogoro) is due to open in 2024.



By plane
Commercial flights between Dar es Salaam and Dodoma are available with the national carrier Air Tanzania, with Precision Air, and (at a higher price) with Auric Air. 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




Buy




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: http://www.dodomacineclub.info )

There are two great places for ordering traditional grilled pork (kiti moto). One is down the road from VETA at the highway junction. A kilo of meat with kachumbari salad will cost about TSh 2500. 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.

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.



Go next

 * Mwanza
 * Morogoro
 * Dar es Salaam
 * Arusha
 * Iringa