A trip to Tanzania should be on every travel lover’s wish list. The stunning country is home to pristine beaches, breathtaking landscapes, spectacular wildlife, and rich culture and heritage. During the vacation, it is essential to see the beautiful city of Dodoma, the custom built political capital of the country. Located 500 miles away from the coast and Kilimanjaro, and with a population of 400,000, the city is home to ministries, offices, and government buildings. Here are some of the top sightseeing opportunities and day tours that travellers can enjoy in Dodoma!
- The Bunge
The best sightseeing tour in Dodoma is to the African styled Parliament buildings called the Bunge. Tourists can visit during sessions, although they must carry passports in order to enter, to ensure national security.
- Nyerere Square
A site that should not be missed is Nyerere Square, a historic landmark that was a local market but has now been built into a town square, which is home to a statue of Julius Kambarage Nyerere, the national founder of Tanzania. Here tourists can walk in the park, take pictures, and learn about the history and heritage of Tanzania and its founder. The Square is at the heart of the city so visitors can walk around, meet locals, and enjoy dishes from nearby restaurants such as visiting Chef Asili for great food!
- Mosques
Dodoma has beautiful mosques which the tourists can visit and Muslim visitors can pray in. Gaddafi Mosque is a pink mosque with space for up to 4500 worshippers. The mosque is situated at the centre of the city, and attracts lots of visitors as it is one of the largest mosques in East Africa, and is known for its impressive, beautiful design. Tourists can also go to the Jamatkhana Ismaili mosque which has a neoclassical British design!
- Churches
Similarly, tourists can also visit the churches for sightseeing. They can go to beautiful landmarks such as the domed Anglican church, the modernist Lutheran Cathedral, and the enormous Catholic Cathedral which is famous for its Roman style mosaics that display saints. These sites are free to visit and evoke a sense of reverence in the visitors.
- Dodoma Skate Park
Spending a day at Dodoma Skate Park is an excellent idea. Built to create a safe and nurturing environment for the youth to engage in a healthy sport, the park is an exciting spot for tourists to enjoy skateboarding and support the local economy. It is home to over 200 skate-boarders!
- Kondoa Irangi
Another great day trip idea for tourists is to visit a series of caves carved into a hillside. Here, they can see the famous Kondoa Irangi rock paintings, which are said to be over 50000 years old. The 150-450 decorated rocks show ancient Kolo rock paintings. Visitors can enjoy a walking or cycling tour of the village, and interact with locals, including storytellers who can teach them about their culture. One can even visit a traditional home!
- Simba Hill
A great day trip idea is to go to Simba Hill, also known as Mlimwa or Lion Rock. The location is ideal for trekking and hiking, and allows tourists to see a stunning aerial view of the city from the top.
- Vineyards
In the 1960s, a 4-5 acre vineyard was planted in Isanga Prison in Dodoma’s Kondoa region. Here, red, white, and rosé wines are made from grapes. Tourists can also spot fruits such as mangoes, bananas, and plums. Other vineyards and plantations can be found at Mpunguzi, Msalato, Nkulabi, Nala, and Mundemu in the district. One can also go to Chinagali which has a 300 acre farm where they can observe red and white grapes and learn about how they are grown. In March, August, and September, one can also witness the harvest.
- Villages
A day trip can be taken to villages such as Chamwino or Zepisa which are home to the Gogo, a lively Bantu ethnolinguistic group that engages in agriculture. The group is famous for their dancing and music. Tourists can dance or drum with locals, and eat and celebrate their local food!
A Bantu speaking woman in Namibia
