Slipway Msasani

Slipway is a waterfront shopping and leisure complex on Slipway Road at the tip of the Msasani Peninsula in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Set beside a small marina, it brings together restaurants, cafes, craft and souvenir shops, boutiques, a bookshop and a cinema, all looking out over the bay. For visitors it serves several roles at once: a relaxed place to eat and watch the sunset, a convenient shopping stop for crafts and gifts, and the main departure point for boats to Bongoyo Island Marine Reserve. Shops sell carved wood, paintings, textiles, jewellery and clothing, and are generally fixed-price, which suits those who prefer not to bargain. Restaurants range from casual cafes to seafood and international kitchens, with tables on terraces facing the water. The experience is calm and orderly compared with the city markets, which is why the complex is popular with expatriates, families and tour groups alike. A visit usually takes 2 to 3 hours. The most atmospheric time is late afternoon into sunset, when light on the bay and yachts is at its best and the terraces fill gradually. Weekends are livelier, with families and children in the open spaces, while weekday mornings are very quiet. Entry is free, and shops and restaurants are open daily from about 9:00 to 22:00. Prices in restaurants are higher than in local eateries, so budget accordingly. Reaching the peninsula by taxi or Bolt from the city centre takes 25 to 45 minutes depending on traffic, and it is wise to avoid the evening rush on the way back. Visitors planning an island trip can arrange boat tickets at the jetty here, and it is sensible to go early in the day and return in time for lunch or sunset drinks.