Mwanza

Mwanza is a port city on the shore of Lake Victoria  in northern Tanzania. It's ringed by green hills. They city is known for unusual rock formations like Bismarck Rock, near the Kamanga Ferry Terminal.  In the center of town are colonial buildings like the crumbling hilltop Dr. Robert Koch's House.  The 1935 Indian Public Library, mosques and Hindu temples reflect Indian influence.  The Makoroboi area is full of shops.  The location on the shores of Lake Victoria is very beautiful. The immense freshwater lake provides natural beauty, food and the necessary activity.

The Sukuma are the largest ethnic group in Tanzania, residing in the northwestern regions of the country, primarily within the administrative districts of Mwanza and Shinyanga. The Bujora Cultural Center and Halwego Handebezyo Museum in Ukerewe Island should be included in your ethnic tour of Mwanza.  Ukerewe Island, the town of Mwanza is also conveniently located for easy access to the other islands of Lake Victoria that you may wish to explore during your Mwanza exploratory safari, including Rubondo Island and Saanane Island – both lake national parks in Tanzania, where you may see avian life, reptiles and small mammals.

The Halwego Handebezyo Museum in Ukerewe Island is another popular tourism attraction and features a cave that was used as a hiding place during the ancient tribal wars and also for surplus storage of food and goods. The museum is also recognized as a viewing location for the island of Ukerewe . The Bujora Cultural Center should be included in your ethnic excursion of Mwanza in this part of northern Tanzania.

During your sightseeing visit to Bujora, you may partake of interactive educational workshops with the elders that serve as teachers to the youth. The center also offers a one-hour guided tour, as well as an exciting snake show. Upon request, the Bujora Cultural Centre also showcases traditional dance and drumming demonstrations. These rural displays can be arranged for individual AfricanMecca clients or small groups of any size of during their travels in Africa, and the performances last from one to two hours. Sunset boat cruise and fishing excursions are available in Mwanza; though, the best lake fishing trips are available around Rubondo Island.

Mwanza can be reached by air, road, and water. The city is served by Mwanza Airport, which has domestic flights from Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Zanzibar. For international travelers, connecting flights may be necessary through major cities in Tanzania.

Where to stay in Mwanza?

Three budget-friendly, hotel-style accommodations are available for your lake tour of Mwanza -- Hotel Tilapia, Ryan's Bay Hotel and Malaika Beach Resort. All offer adequate service, meals and amenities.