Slow Leopard Dar
Supremely located in the leafy suburb of Masaki, the Slow Leopard Dar es Salaam is just minutes away from shops, cafes, restaurants and bars, and a short trip to the city, the Zanzibar ferry or the nearby islands of Bongoyo or Mbudya. Whether starting or ending a Tanzanian safari, passing through Dar en route to Zanzibar or even if you are just here for work or to catch up with friends, you can count on a warm welcome and a comfortable room at The Slow Leopard. As if that's not enough you can enjoy the atmosphere and best burgers in town at the bar downstairs!
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Accomodation
Restaurant & Bar
If you are craving a great burger (meat or vegetarian!), a selection of local and imported poisons, or you just wants to catch up on the sport and make some new friends, then the Slow Leopard has you covered.
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.
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 favourite mixers.
Getting Here, Around and Away
We are located in the suburb of Masaki, just around the corner from Slipway, a location that most taxi or Bajaj drivers will know. Tell the driver that you wish to be dropped at the corner of Chole Rd and Slipway Rd in Masaki. There is a tyre shop on the corner, and we are located 50m up the road on the same side. We are also on Google maps! Check out the map at the bottom of this page.
The fastest and easiest way to get to Slow Leopard Dar is by taxi. We have a group of reliable taxi drivers that we can book to collect you from most arrival points. They have done these pick ups many times, are very reliable, know the location of our hostel, and know us! To make a taxi booking please email us with the date of arrival, full name, arrival time and flight number or bus company name. Please be aware that arrival times in Dar can vary greatly, which can sometimes make meeting a taxi pick-up challenging. Please be patient with our drivers, they will get there, or may have already been waiting a few hours!
If you decide to get your own taxi on arrival, please take care. If a driver seems overly eager to take you at any price, look elsewhere. Negotiate your fare before hand (check out our price guide below), and always be clear that your destination is understood before getting underway. Always ensure doors are locked once underway and that the driver doesn’t stop to collect other passengers.
Here are average taxi costs for getting around Dar es Salaam:
Airport (International & Domestic) - 45,000 TZS
Zanzibar Ferry/City Centre (From Slow Leopard Dar) - 20,000 TZS
Intercity Bus – Ubungo (Nth) - 30,000 TZS
Intercity Bus – Mbagala (Sth) - 40,000 TZS
TAZARA Rail Station - 30,000 TZS
Other Transportation Options:
Bajaji (Tuk tuk)
These three-wheeled vehicles with covered seating for 3 are everywhere. Negotiate before starting your trip and give clear instructions on where you are going – they will just drive! Note, they typically can’t travel into the city centre, or into the airport parking area. Bajaji costs are generally half the price of taxis.
City Bus (Daladala)
There is local bus transport from all of these places. While sometimes chaotic, very full and very slow, they are also very reliable and offer a relatively easy and cheap transport option – with an added sense of adventure. There are some designated stops, but most will pick-up and drop-off anywhere along their fixed-routes. Look for a bus with “Masaki” stenciled on the front, or ask for directions to the Masaki bus – you may have to change buses. Most conductors or friendly commuters will be happy to point you in the right direction. The general fare for a bus is 400 TZS so it generally doesn't cost anymore than 1,000 TZS to get anywhere in the city.
Uber
Uber is new to Dar es Salaam so it can sometimes be a little unreliable; however, the pricing is very competitive and often a lot cheaper than taxis. People have often had trouble getting an Uber from the airport, so often going with one of our taxis is a lot easier.
What 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’s a few ideas for your time in Dar, and if you need help organizing or planning any of these, please ask a member of staff during your stay or send through an email via info@theslowleopard.com
- Markets (food and arts)
- DARCH Architectural tours
- Island Beach Days
- Afriroots biking tours
- Swahili Courses
- Nafasi art space
- Slow Leopard downtown walking tour
- Night life!! Bars & Restaurants
Safety
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:
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 Uber.