Mwanza is Tanzania's second city and the main port on Lake Victoria, built around granite boulders and bays on the lake's southern shore. It is the gateway to the western Serengeti, Rubondo Island and the lake region, and a relaxed place to spend a night or two on the way to or from the park.
The Bismarck Rock, the Sukuma Museum at Bujora and the fishing villages of Ukerewe give a taste of lake life, and Saanane Island National Park, the smallest in Tanzania, is a short boat ride away. Sunsets over the lake are warm and golden.
Saanane Island, a short boat ride from the city, has impala, rock hyrax, vervet monkeys, Nile monitor and crocodile. The lake has fish eagle, cormorants, egrets and herons around the shore.
Activities here
Mwanza is warm all year, with daytime temperatures of 26°C to 29°C. The rains fall from October to May and are heaviest from March to May, while June to September is drier.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28 | 18 | 110 |
| Feb | 28 | 18 | 120 |
| Mar | 28 | 18 | 150 |
| Apr | 27 | 18 | 180 |
| May | 27 | 18 | 120 |
| Jun | 27 | 17 | 30 |
| Jul | 27 | 16 | 20 |
| Aug | 28 | 17 | 30 |
| Sep | 28 | 18 | 60 |
| Oct | 28 | 18 | 90 |
| Nov | 27 | 18 | 140 |
| Dec | 27 | 18 | 130 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
June to September is the driest and sunniest time, with clear skies and a light breeze on the lake.
Heavy afternoon showers occur from October to May, and humidity is high. The lake is rough in storms.
June to September is the best time for visiting the lake region and the western Serengeti. Mwanza is a useful overnight stop at any time of year.
Best time to visit Jan, Jul to Sep
Mwanza Airport has scheduled flights from Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Zanzibar and Nairobi, and charter flights to the Serengeti and Rubondo. The road to the western Serengeti takes about three to four hours.
Most visitors need a Tanzania visa, applied for online before travel or bought on arrival, currently US$50 for a single-entry tourist visa. Your passport must be valid for at least six months.
Mwanza is a malaria area, and bilharzia is present in parts of the lake, so avoid swimming in fresh water. Please take advice on malaria before you travel.
National ParkSerengeti National ParkThe Great Migration
Wildlife Reserve & SanctuaryNgorongoro Conservation AreaA day on the crater floorSafaris from
US$2,190 per person
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