YOUR VALUE FOR MONEY IN DAR ES SALAAM’S HOSPITALITY SECTOR

Today I would like to talk about the value for money specifically in the hospitality industry in Dar es Salaam. There is great relationship between the value for money, quality of service and customer satisfaction.

Worldwide 85% of leisure travelers search online for holiday destinations, most travelers are looking for the best price and the best value for money. Most global travelers base ‘value for money’ on these three factors

·         Money saved

·         Time saved

·         Experience gained

1. LOCAL FOODS IN DAR ES SALAAM

Traditional Tanzanian food is on almost every street corner in Dar es Salaam the most famous foods in Dar es Salaam are ugali, grilled meats (mishikaki), eggs and chips (aka chips mayai), street corner food will cost you $2 or less. If you're looking for something a little more luxurious, then they’re a number of hotels and high-end restaurants that serve ala carte and buffet style menu, these types of meals include a lot of western dishes such as, deep fried fish, chicken, spaghetti, pumpkin soup, dessert ect. Some of the best value for meal restaurants in the city can found in Dar Es Salaam’s central business district, Amariah hotel’s Sembeti resataurant located in the central business district’s azikiwe street provides a lunch buffet every Monday to Friday that is both affordable (Less than $10) and appetizing in a premier deluxe setting.

2. ACCOMODATION

In Dar es Salaam’s city center the cost for accommodation vary depending on the quality of service provided by the hotel. Most of the hotels found in Dar es Salaam’s central business district provide a range of services such as complimentary breakfast meals, free parking, holiday packages, etc with varying rates. The rates for these hotels varies from $50 -$300. The Amariah Hotel at the moment is one the few hotels in the city that provides the most affordable room rates while still maintaining a high level of service.

3. TRANSPORT SERVICE

Dar es Salaam city has modern transportation networks that make it easy to get from one place to another. There are several means of transport in Dar es Salaam which can deliver a good service with reasonable price.

BAJAJ

The rise and increase in Dar es Salaam’s car traffic system has caused the city to start heavily relying on bajaj taxis as a means of a fast and economical mode of transportation to and from the city. These three-wheeled cart vehicles (aka bajaj) have the capability to continuously zip in and out of traffic, adventurous visitors with a taste for a little bit of fun and speed will certainly feel right at home in these three wheeled contraptions. Those willing to use a bajaj as a means of transportation will be getting the best value for money at the cost of comfort ability, prices for trips in and out of the city range from 8,000Tsh (From Namanga to the central business district) to 15,000Tsh (From Mwenge to the central business district))

DALLA-DALLAS

Dalla-dallas (minibuses and 30-seater buses) have long been a mainstay of Dar es Salaam’s public transportation system, servicing many of the city’s destinations for an average price of Tsh400 per ride. They are the cheapest mode of transportation in the city, but it does come at a great cost because they are usually invariably packed and overflowing on the weekdays, they are also difficult to board if you have luggage. If you still do decide to take a dalla-dallas please take note that the first and last stops are shown in the front window of the dalla-dallas, but routes vary, so always confirm with the conductor that the driver is going to your destination.

DAR RAPID TRANSIT

The Dar Rapid Transit (DART) project in Dar es Salaam is gradually taking over the old dalla-dallas routes. For example the Kimara–Kivukoni route line of the new DART system runs express buses between the city’s central business district and Ubungo (Tsh650, about 20 minutes), stopping en route at both Ubungo Bus Terminal and Ubungo-Sheikilango, and in the city centre at Kisutu St, Old Posta Transport Stand and Kivukoni. DART has fast become a great new method of transportation for the those travelling in and out of the city, it is also comfortable and provides great value for money.

UBER & TAXIS

Uber and regular taxis are the premium modes of transportation in Dar es Salaam, between the two Ubers have proven to be the slightly cheaper of the two. A regular taxi trip from the city to suburb areas like Masaki or Namanga will cost you a flat out rate of around 15,000Tsh. An Uber on the other hand will be slightly cheaper depending on the traffic on the road. You’ll be looking at paying around 8000 to 15,000Tsh, once again depending on the traffic (The heavier the traffic the higher the cost of the trip). Ubers and taxis are a great value for money only if you’re willing to leave one hour ahead of time to your intended destination (Avoid arriving to intended destination in bongo aka Tanzanian time).  

 SummarY of the

VALUE FOR MONEY IN DAR ES SALAAM

BUDGET (up to) US$50

§  Rooms in a budget hotel: US$30

§  Local-style meal: US$5

§  Bajaji (tuk-tuk) ride on posta to kariakoo market: US$2

MID-RANGE US$50– 200

§  Hotel rooms: US$50–150

§  Meals in a restaurant: US$15

§  Ship ride to Zanzibar: US$15

§  Day car hire in the city: US$80

high-END (more than) US$200

§  Hotel rooms: US$150–350

§  Meals in a restaurant: US$20–25

§  Flight to Zanzibar Island: US$75