Zanzibar to Mwanza

Road travel from Zanzibar to Mwanza is miserable and takes at least three days.

There is a train from Dodoma, but I was less than impressed with the views.

Flying is the way to go. Cost should be under $200 per ticket. Check Precision Air for better pricing.

Peace,

BB

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To the moderators: It is very irksome not being able to see the original question when writing my reply. New software has ruined the tree.

Thanks BB.

Looks like Precision only flies to Nairobi from Zan, so I guess I'll look at getting to Dar and fly to Mwanza from there.

No far pricing on Precisons's web site for some reason, though I guess I can walk into any travel agent on Zan and book tickets with a couple of days notice?

Thanks again

Precision Air does fly that route. You change planes in Dar as you note, but it is cheaper to book as Zanzibar to Mwanza rather than two legs.

You will save money by booking on the ground and paying in schillings.

Have fun,

BB

Precision def. fly to Mwanza with a stop-over in Dar and you can book both legs at the same time. When I flew it in August I think we paid Tsh 206,000, but their cheapest tickets were 185,000 I think, and it depended on time of booking, if you bool less than a week in advance or something like that, you will be in the higher price range etc.
Precision have an office in Zanzibar, so you can book directly with them as well.

Oh, and about buses. The "direct" route takes 3 days, I think, and you will spend the night in towns as buses in Tanzania are not allowed to travel at night. The route via Serengeti only departs once a week, I think, and will be very expensive for a non-Tanzanian, as you will have to pay park entry fees for Ngorongoro and Serengeti just to be allowed to pass through. The third option, the "quickest" goes via Nairobi - go figure... That's probably the one you meant by 15 hours from Arusha. Not really, though, it took about 17 hours from Nairobi. Scandinavian buses don't do this route anymore, and the Kenyan company Akamba isn't the best, but it's the only option, as far as we found out.

So buses are out and Precision from Zan to Mwanza via Dar is in! Thanks a bunch.

Now we are doing this 3-month trip without a fixed itinerary, but I understand the savings from booking more than 7 days out. I presume that a phone reservation from anywhere in Tanzania would suffice as opposed to having to visit one of their offices to book. Their web reservation system is pretty weak from all accounts.

Thanks again!

Nigel

Hi Nigel,

A new company is operating on the Dar es Salaam - Mwanza Route. The name of the company is Golden 'something' - and don't even have a time table yet. The bus will pass Dodama, Singida and Shinyanga, but not Serengeti National Park.

The road conditions are not that bad and the duration is 12 - 14 hours.

I will find the departure time from Dar es Salaam and the fare - and inform you in this forum.

But I will still recommend flying Precision Air or Air Tanzania - as travelling by bus in Tanzania is something of its own kind - long, dusty, hot - your back needs days to recover, but also a very beautiful journey you will remember for many, many years.

The one way air fare Dar es Salaam - Mwanza is about US$ 165 per person.

Regards

Hans Kristoffersen
Editor
Mwanza Guide 'online'

Hi Hans,

I appreciate your offer to provide details on the new bus service, but I think I'll do the flying thing and will contact Precision as soon as I know when we will be wanting to go to Mwanza.

I did however visit your site and for anyone (like me) wanting to know where to stay and what to do in Mwanza it is perfect. The Tilapia looks great and I presume at the end of January, prior reservations won't be mandatory.

I noticed the safari options on your site and would like to ask you about those also. Rather than cluttering up this thread should I PM you?

Many thanks again,

Nigel

Hi Nigel - and who it may concern,

The (new) Golden InterCity Bus departs from Dar es Salaam (Ubungo Bus Terminal of Morogoro Road) at 6:00 AM - Monday, Wednesday and Friday*).

From Mwanza Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 6:00 AM from Nyegezi BusTerminal of Kenyatta/Shinyanga Road*).

The fare is 45,000/= THS - or about 45 US$. The duration is 12 - 14 hours, but is not yet 100% comfirmed, that the bus will go straight or make a long stop out in the bush. Passenger transport by bus after dark is against the law in Tanzania - so delays can happen.

*) Please check the schedule and departure time the day before.

Regards

Hans Kristoffersen
Editor
Mwanza Guide 'online'