Southern Sun

Top choice in Dar es Salaam


With its Afro-Islamic decor, popular restaurant and professional service, the Southern Sun punches way above its weight. Rooms are furnished with plush, comfortable beds and all mod-cons, while the generous buffet breakfast can be enjoyed on a terrace overlooking the Botanical Gardens. Modest rate reductions are available on weekends.

An on-site branch of Kearsley Travel makes booking onward travel easy.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Dar es Salaam attractions

1. Botanical Gardens

0.05 MILES

Although in danger of disappearing beneath development, these botanical gardens provide an essential shady oasis in the city. They were established in…

2. National Museum & House of Culture

0.16 MILES

The National Museum houses a copy of the famous fossil discoveries of zinjanthropus ('nutcracker man') from Olduvai Gorge, plus other archaeological finds…

3. State House

0.44 MILES

An imposing complex set amid large grounds, the State House was originally built by the Germans and rebuilt after WWI by the British.

5. Azania Front Lutheran Church

0.45 MILES

A striking edifice, with a red-roofed belfry overlooking the water, a rather stern Gothic interior and a marvellous, new handmade organ, this is one of…

6. Askari Monument

0.45 MILES

This bronze statue, dedicated to Africans killed in WWI, is now a favourite haunt of street touts and dubious moneychangers.

7. St Joseph Cathedral

0.66 MILES

This spired, Gothic-style, Roman Catholic cathedral was built at the turn of the 19th century by German missionaries. In addition to the striking stained…

8. Fish Market

0.69 MILES

Head down to the Kivukoni fish market in the early morning to see fishers flog their catch to restauranteurs and homemakers with all the zeal of Wall St…