Metten Says: It goes without saying that you must go on a safari when you stay in Tanzania. It's a wonderful experience and Mwanza is a perfect starting place. Off course you should see Serengeti which is more spectactular than I ever dreamed of. Ngorongoro is also worth a visit, but...
The Tilapia: Enjoy good food and a spectacular view of the lake
Metten Says: Situated on the outskirts of Mwanza, overviewing the lake, Hotel/Restaurant Tilapia offers a wonderful place to relax after a dusty and noisy day in town. Start off with a sun-downer and enjoy the beautiful view of the lake. Continue with a grilled tilapia and finish off...
Capricabana: Brazil in Tanzania
Metten Says: I have only once been to the capricabana, and I must say that I wasn't too impressed with it. The surroundings are fine, though, but almost no one goes there, and only if there is a private party in the neighbourhood, will there be ANY activity in there. An exception is if...
Between Dar/Dodomo and Mwanza: the train!
Bonobo2005 Says: I took a train from Dodoma to Mwanza and enjoyed it a lot! The scenery was beautiful, the cabins convenient and cold drinks and meals were cheaply sold.Actually going straight to Mwanza from Dar/Dodoma v.v. railing is the only really comfortable option besides of flying,...
All the small, shabby dukas off the main road: Clothes and shoes
Metten Says: Go off the main road and head towards the dirty small streets with all the dukas. Here, they sell all sorts of shoes and sandals and clothes. Not all of it is nice, but sometimes you're lucky and will be able to find OK jeans, funny blouses and fabulous shoes for practically...
Metten Says: Greetings are very important in Tanzania - not least in Mwanza region where the Sukuma have all sorts of greetings for every occasion. If you greet someone older than you, you should always use a 'shikamu' which means something like 'I hold your feet'. It is a way of showing...
Metten Says: It can't come as a surprise that this region is an endemic malaria region. Lying by the lake it's superb breeding ground for mosquitoes and there's a good chance you'll catch malaria if you stay for more than a couple of months. I'm sure you know this already and have...
Metten Says: Oh, yes! Mwanza has a museum, which is actually a big thing considering Tanzania's general lack of museums. Outside Mwanza is the Sukuma Museum, showing tools, buildings, clothes, medicines etc. of the sukuma - the dominating tribe in Mwanza Region. Being an ethnographer, I...
Metten Says: Finding the toilet in pitch darkness can really be annoying so make sure to bring a really good flash light. Power cuts are really more the rule than the exception in Tanzania, so be sure to have a flash light next to your bed. Especially in rural areas, these cuts can last...
Metten Says: If you feel like getting away and seeing something completely different, go to the gold mines in Geita. Geita is a beautiful area and very different from Mwanza. You can arrange for the trip to the mines through Serengeti Services (ask for Vinay) or by arranging it with some...
Bonobo2005 Says: . This eroded rock is probably the most famous sight.It looks like it could get out of balance every moment but it's there already for thousands of years. Rather stunning!By the way everywhere around Mwanza outcrops like this appear, very nice scenery!
Plan a Mwanza vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Mwanza locals

If you are staying in Tanzania for a longer period you will need to know where to shop for the most necessary things. U-turn is the place to go to. It is an...
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Experience the 'Real' Africa in Mwanza

Dusty, run down, filthy and uncharming. This was my first impression of Mwanza when I arrived in April 2003. I was in Tanzania between March and September doing ethnographic field work in Sengerema...
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I passed Mwanza on my way to Rwanda and stayed 2 nights.It's the 2nd biggest city of Tanzania on Lake Victoria. In comparison with the other bigger cities like Dar, Arusha or Tanga I rate Mwanza as...
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I dedicate this piece of my image to 'Darwin's Nightmare', and people of Mwanza. It was directed by an Austrian highly intelligent filmmaker Hubert Sauper who has a deep understanding of the...
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