Dar es Salaam
Relaxing between the rush of the city
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's bustling commercial hub, is often just a stopping off point for visitors entering or leaving the country, but with a burgeoning restaurant scene and thriving nightlife, it is well worth allowing an extra day or two to get a taste of big city life in one of East Africa's most dynamic and vibrant cities.
We are located just minutes away from shops, cafes, restaurants and bars, and a short trip to the city, the Zanzibar ferry or the nearby islands.
Rooms
We offer two accommodation options to suit your travel needs, both with breakfast included.
6-bed mixed dormitory
The affordable option for staying on the “Peninsula”. Each bed has a locker, private light, and power source. The room is equipped with AC and a fan, mosquito nets and desk.
Double room
Perfect for couples or work trips, it is light and airy, with a desk and direct access to a shared balcony. The room has an AC unit, fan, and mosquito net.
Both the dormitory and double room share a bathroom with two showers and two sinks, a communal room with a small library where tea & coffee is available 24hrs, and access to a large private balcony.
Food and Drinks
Our menu combines fresh local and imported ingredients to cater to everyone’s taste. Aside from our famous burgers, check out the signature nachos and our range of fresh salads and bowls.
The bar stocks both local and imported beer, wine and spirits. We pride ourselves on always having ice-cold beer, just the way it should be!
There is also a range of red and white wine to cater to everyone’s taste and budget as well as local and imported spirits for all your favorite mixers.
Things to do in Dar
Dar es Salaam is the bustling commercial capital of Tanzania, and with over 5 million people it’s a rapidly growing African city, offering plenty of opportunities to explore and have some fun. Here are a few ideas for your time in Dar, and if you need help organizing or planning any of these, we are glad to assist you.
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Markets (food and arts)
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DARCH Architectural tours
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Island Beach Days
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Afriroots walking, biking and bajaj tours
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Swahili language and cooking courses
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Events at Nafasi Art Space
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Enjoy the Night Life: Bars & Restaurants
Dar es Salaam is no more dangerous than other big cities in the world, however there are a couple of things you should be wary of:
Wear appropriate clothing
Showing too much skin can attract unwanted attention especially in busy market and downtown areas, and in Stone Town, Zanzibar.
Do not take unlicensed taxis
Typically found at the bus and train stations, please do not get into cars that aren’t advertised as taxis, or have not been specifically ordered for you by a Slow Leopard staff member.
Be careful with your belongings
Bag snatchings from cars and motorbikes are relatively common, but you can easily avoid this by not carrying bags while walking on the streets.
Although the area of Masaki is generally considered safe, we urge guests to avoid walking around in poorly lit roads after dark. Please take a bajaj or an taxi which can be ordered using the Bolt app.
Safety
Getting here
We are located in the suburb of Masaki, just around the corner from Slipway. Tell the driver that you wish to be dropped at the corner of Chole Rd and Slipway Rd in Masaki.
Taxi
The fastest and easiest way to get to Slow Leopard Dar. We have a group of reliable taxi drivers that we can book to collect you from most arrival points. To make a taxi booking please email us with the date of arrival, full name, arrival time and flight number or bus company name.
If you decide to get your own taxi on arrival, negotiate your fare beforehand (check out our price guide), and always be clear that your destination is understood before getting underway. The average taxi cost to the Airport is 45,000 TZS and to the Zanzibar Ferry/City Centre, from the hostel, is 20,000 TZS.
Bajaji (tuk tuk)
You can also get a bajaji, the three-wheeled vehicles with covered seating for 3 that costs generally half the price of taxis.
City Bus (Daladala)
While sometimes chaotic, very full and slow, they are also very reliable and offer a relatively easy and cheap transport option – with an added sense of adventure. Look for a bus with “Masaki” stenciled on the front, the general fare is 400 TZS so it generally doesn't cost more than 1,000 TZS to get anywhere in the city.
