Saanane Island National Park
Mwanza & Lake Victoria, Tanzania
About
Tanzania's smallest national park, an island reserve minutes from the city centre with antelope, hyrax, birds and easy walking trails.
A 10 minute boat ride takes visitors onto this island within Lake Victoria that is a protected area.
Opening hours
- Monday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Where it is
Getting to & around Mwanza & Lake Victoria
From other cities: Frequent daily flights link Mwanza with Dar es Salaam, Arusha and the Serengeti, and light aircraft serve Rubondo Island; the central railway and long-distance buses also reach the city.
Getting around: Taxis, bajaji (tuk-tuks) and dala-dala minibuses cover the city, while passenger ferries and boats connect Mwanza with Ukerewe and other lake islands.
Full getting-there guideMore in Mwanza & Lake Victoria
Tourist Attraction
Bismarck Rock
The emblem of Mwanza, a cluster of balancing granite boulders rising from the lake, best visited for sunset photos and a lakeside stroll.
National Park
Rubondo Island National Park
A forested island in the south-west of Lake Victoria, sanctuary for chimpanzees, elephants and sitatunga and a haven for birders and anglers.
Art museum
Sukuma Museum, Bujora
An open-air cultural centre 18 km east of Mwanza showcasing Sukuma life, a landmark round church and the region's celebrated dance traditions.
Island
Ukerewe Island
The largest inland island in Africa, reached by ferry across the lake, offering a slow-paced glimpse of fishing communities and rural life.