National Park
Rubondo Island National ParkRubondo Island National Park, alluring for its tranquillity and sublime lakeshore scenery, is one of Tanzania’s best-kept secrets and there may be days…
Lake Victoria
Tanzania’s half of Africa’s largest lake sees few visitors, but the region holds many attractions for those with a bent for the offbeat and a desire to immerse themselves in the rhythms of local life beyond the tourist trail. The cities of Musoma and Bukoba have a quiet waterside charm, while most villagers on Ukerewe Island follow a subsistence lifestyle with little connection to the world beyond the shore.
Mwanza, Tanzania’s second-largest city, is appealing in its own way and is the perfect launching pad for a Serengeti–Lake Natron–Ngorongoro loop. Add the forests of idyllic Rubondo Island National Park, deep in the lake’s southwest reaches, for a well-rounded safari experience.
Explore Lake Victoria
0
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Lake Victoria.
Beach
Matvilla BeachThe best thing to do in Musoma is visit Matvilla Beach at the tip of the peninsula, with its pinky-grey granite boulders. It’s prime sunset-watching-with…
Archaeological Site
Katuruka Heritage SiteA stop on the Bukoba Tours circuit, this site preserves the oldest-known iron-smelting furnace in east, central and southern Africa (from 500 BC; long…
Museum
Sukuma MuseumThe Sukuma Museum in Bujora village is an open-air museum where, among other things, you’ll see traditional Sukuma dwellings, the grass house of a…
Museum
Mwalimu Julius K Nyerere MuseumJulius Nyerere, the first President of Tanzania, was born in the otherwise insignificant little town of Butiama. This small museum inside the family…
Island
Musira IslandThe big chunk of rock in front of Bukoba was a prison island in the days of the kings and now it offers an intriguing getaway. Upon arrival introduce…
Museum
Kagera MuseumThis small but worthwhile museum mixes a collection of local tribal items with photographs of wildlife from the Kagera region; drums, handbags and other…
Market
Mwaloni MarketMwaloni Market, under the roof with the giant Balimi ad, is quite a spectacle. The city’s main fish market, it also has lots of fruits and vegetables,…
Notable Building
Old German MansionSitting atop Robert Koch Hill, the old German mansion is a Mwanza landmark with great views of the city and lake. Abandoned, it is a fun 'adventure';…
Cathedral
Mater Misericordiae CathedralThis landmark cathedral in the centre of town certainly draws attention to itself with its huge see-through, glass steeple. It looks like something from a…
Hill
Robert Koch HillSmack in the city centre is Robert Koch Hill, with an attractively decrepit German-built mansion at the top. To get here, push through the bustling market…
Landmark
Jiwe KuuOne of the more interesting rock formations around Mwanza is Jiwe Kuu (Big Rock), which some people call the Dancing Rocks. Many round boulders sit atop…
Church
Bunena ChurchThe town's original cathedral, the 1914 Bunena Church is the oldest church in Bukoba. It paints a pretty picture when seen from Bukoba Beach, but isn’t…
Landmark
Bismarck RockMwanza’s icon, Bismarck Rock, is a precariously balanced boulder atop the lovely jumble of rocks in the lake next to the Kamanga ferry pier. The little…
Market
Mwigobero MarketMwigobero Market is on the city’s eastern shore. Small lake boats to nearby islands and villages load and unload passengers and cargo here.
Park
Saa Nane National ParkThe rocky island 500m off Capri Point is Saa Nane National Park. Even though it’s just 0.76 sq km and home to only monkeys and impalas, visiting costs…
Notable Building
German BomaHistory buffs may enjoy the tower of the old German boma (a fortified living compound; in colonial times, an administrative office), now part of the…
Market
Maasai MarketMwanza has a Maasai Market, with a couple of dozen Maasai selling beaded jewellery and medicines on both sides of the footbridge.