Mwanza hotels and hostels
New Mwanza Hotel
Wag Hill Lodge
For a delightful getaway, especially for anyone interested in getting to know Lake Victoria’s ecosystems, or in angling, try the intimate and beautiful Wag Hill.
St Dominic’S Pastoral Centre
A centrally located church-run hostel offering spartan rooms with shared bathroom (no hot water), plus nicer, newer en suite ones with hot water and a canteen (breakfast Tsh1000, lunch/dinner Tsh2000).
New Mwanza Hotel
This barely three-star place with five-star aspirations is the only ‘proper’ hotel in the central business area. The bland rooms have TV, and there’s a restaurant.
Hotel Tilapia
The efficiently run Tilapia – overlooking the water on the eastern side of Capri Point – is the hotel of choice for most foreign business and upmarket travellers in the area, and is frequently fully booked.
Maganga Beach
Camping is possible at Maganga Beach, on a pretty stretch of lake shore in Nyegezi, about 8km from town. There are no facilities, and no food or drink available, and you’ll need a vehicle to get there.
Tema Hotel
If you need a hotel near the Nyegezi bus stand, try this place. It’s located about 10km south of town and about 700m north of the bus stand.
Tunza Lodge
An amenable anglers’ lodge, with cosy cottages scattered over an expansive lawn sloping down to the lake, a beachside bar and a restaurant. There are great sunset views, weekend beach volleyball games and boat excursions are planned.
Hotel La Kairo
This once cosy family-run place has expanded massively in recent years. Rooms in the original wing are clean, with fan, and there’s a restaurant with good local meals.
Christmas Tree Hotel
Clean, serviceable rooms with a small double bed – just barely big enough for two – plus hot water and TV. Some have nets, and there’s a restaurant. The hotel is tucked away in the town centre just off busy Karuta St, from where it is signposted.
Isamo Hotel
Clean rooms within easy walking distance from the bus stand.
New Geita Lodge
Marginally better than the majority of guesthouses.
Lake Hotel
This hotel is ageing and very tatty, but its shortcomings are easy to overlook if you've just disembarked from a 24-hour-plus haul on the Central Line train.
Kishamapanda Guest House
Marginally better than the majority of guesthouses.
The Treehouse
The Treehouse is a lovely B&B-style place that’s ideal for anyone who wants to get insights into local life, and for socially conscious travellers.