Why is Mwanza called Rock City?

The city is built among enormous balancing granite boulders that dot the lakeshore and hills, the most famous being Bismarck Rock, which gives Mwanza its distinctive skyline and nickname.

Can I see chimpanzees near Mwanza?

Yes. Rubondo Island National Park, reached by boat or light aircraft, is home to around forty chimpanzees descended from a 1960s release, and offers tracking alongside birdwatching and fishing.

Is Mwanza a good base for the Serengeti?

Very much so. Mwanza is the main gateway to the western Serengeti, well positioned for the Grumeti river crossings of the Great Migration between roughly May and July.

How do I reach Mwanza?

Mwanza Airport (MWZ) has frequent domestic flights from Dar es Salaam and Arusha, and the city is also served by the central railway, long-distance buses and lake ferries.

Mwanza & Lake Victoria — Places to stay — verified guides & travel directory for Tanzania

Budget

Mwanza & Lake Victoria

Mwanza backpacker guesthouses

Simple, friendly guesthouses in and around the city centre offering clean rooms and lake breezes for budget travellers.

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Mid-range

Mwanza & Lake Victoria

Hotel Tilapia

A well-established lakeside hotel on Capri Point with a pool, gardens and a popular waterfront restaurant.

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Mid-range

Mwanza & Lake Victoria

Malaika Beach Resort

A comfortable resort on the shores of Lake Victoria with an outdoor pool, spa and complimentary airport shuttle.

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Mid-range

Mwanza & Lake Victoria

Gold Crest Hotel Mwanza

A modern business hotel in the city centre with reliable amenities, conference facilities and lake views.

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Luxury

Mwanza & Lake Victoria

Wag Hill Lodge

An intimate boutique lodge on a private lakeside peninsula, offering exclusive cottages, guided walks and canoeing on Lake Victoria.

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Luxury

Mwanza & Lake Victoria

Rubondo Island Camp

A remote luxury bush camp within Rubondo Island National Park, base for chimp tracking, forest walks and fishing.

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