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Dodoma is in Central Tanzania.

[edit] Understand

In 1973, Dodoma was designated as 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 1980's. However, due to limited water supplies and other environmental factors, this proved impossible and the plan was all but forgotten. Although Dodoma retains the title of capital city of Tanzania, government officials only travel to Dodoma for a few weeks each June when the government is in session.

[edit] Get in

There are many daily buses from Dar es Salaam. Driving time is five to six hours with a stop in Morogoro.

There are buses to and from Arusha via Kondoa to the north. The road is not paved, and can be bad in the rainy season. The highway is known as the Great Northern Highway. Travel time is often in excess of 12 hours, and breakdowns are common. The best plan would be to use Kondoa as an intermediate overnight point and continue north or south the next day.

There are also buses to and from Iringa. Travel time is about six hours on a winding gravel road of varying quality. The road passes right over the Mtera Dam which is worth a look.

[edit] Get around

There are many minibuses (dala dala) in Dodoma and getting around is easy. Taxis are plentiful too. 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, eg. Scandinavia, maintain their own bus stands.

[edit][add listing] See

The new earthquake-proof Parliament buildings are a must, although access is restricted as of the last time I was there (June, 2006). The building may only be photographed with permission from Dar Es Salaam, so consider photography forbidden.

[edit][add listing] Do

Not much really. There are two places with swimming pools: Dodoma Hotel, best and most expensive food in town, also has a Chinese restaurant. Climax Club (sic),near the prison, also has a pool, where you can buy food, watch TV, and spend the day. VETA has a nice bar to hang out and watch TV.

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

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 3000/= at the snack bar and go up to 12,000/=. Drinks are unreasonably expensive, at 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.

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 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.

• Acacia Bar and Restaurant, PO Box 1521 (7.5 Km from Airport roundabout on Arusha Road), ☎ +255 718 667 676. 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Acacia Bar and Restaurant is located at Twiga Hotel in Miyuji - 7.5 kms from Dodoma town. The restuarant serves local cuisine such as chips mayai and nyama choma as well as wonderful dishes of lamb, beef, fish, chicken, pork and many others. 3,000-8,000.  edit

[edit][add listing] 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.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

For those on a budget CCT hostel, near the roundabout has clean double rooms, self-contained toilet, for 6000/=. Breakfast is included, but very basic. They do make an excellent omelet. Upscale is the Nam Hotel, across the airfield. Clean doubles, satellite TV, and good food for 18,000/=.

A bit up market is VETA, out near the Parliament. In fact MPs often stay there. Clean doubles (24,000/=) and singles (12,000/=) self contained, and a very nice TV bar, where you can rub elbows with important people. Food takes a long time, so order early.

The New Dodoma Hotel is across the street from the railway station. Excellent quality double rooms for 50,000/= and excellent food as well. They have a pool.

There are numerous guest houses of varying quality; Shukrani is nice but noisy (6,000/=)located right near a mosque, where you will be awoken by the morning call to prayer. There are also a rapidly growing number of smaller hotels, so shopping around is becoming increasingly possible.

• Twiga Hotel, PO Box 1521 (Miyuji - 7.5 kms from Airport Roundabout on Arusha Road), ☎ +255 718 667 676. checkout: 10:00 AM. A 14 room hotel surrounded by 5 acres of lush gardens. A perfect place to relax. Spacious rooms with DSTV TV, Air Conditioning, fine furniture created by Quantum Workshop, bathtubs and luxurious bathrooms in every room. Full bar and restuarant. Secure parking and 24 hour security. Wireless Internet available in rooms and around the six private garden spots. Suites 50,000 Deluxe 40,000.  edit

[edit] Get out

There is train service to Dar es Salaam, but if you are in a hurry the better choice is by bus.If you are heading to west Mwanza, train is better, especially in the rainy season.