Cultural Tourism at Mwanza

Cultural Tourism at Mwanza

Mwanza is Tanzania’s second largest city and the economic heart of the Lake Region. Mwanza is located in the extreme northern part of Tanzania Mainland dominated by Africa’s largest lake, the Lake Victoria. Geographically, Mwanza lies between latitudes 1o 30’ and 3 o 0’ south of Equator. The location - on the southern shore of Lake Victoria and the altitude - 1.134 m above sea level - ensures a fresh breeze, a friendly humidity and a nice temperature throughout the year. The town looks onto the lake, which includes dramatic views of the Bismarck Rock - a massive outcrop of granite rocks. Mwanza is an important crossroad of the region - with a railroad connecting Tabora, Dodoma and Dar es Salaam, a busy port with ferries to Ukerewe Island, Kamanga, Bukoba and Port Bell in Uganda . Lake Victoria is nearly 69000sq kms, the African largest tropical lake and the second largest fresh water Lake in the world. It is the source of the great Nile River, the lake is occupy all three East African Countries, ie Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, But more than a half of it being in Tanzania.Mwanza is the place where sir Richard Francis Burton and John Speke traveled in 18th century to discover the source of river Nile.Mwanza is a land of unparalleled diversity of scenery, Fauna, Flora, Minerals, Historical and many natural features. A unique tourist destination in the country yet to be discovered. However, the infrastructure has been improved recently, making the city and its places easily accessible. Roads to and from Mwanza are all tarmac. Airport, Harbour, roads to the neighbor cites of Kampala in Uganda, Nairobi in Kenya. The Mwanza Airport has been upgraded to the International standards. Also from Mwanza you can sail to the neighbor Island of Ukerewe where you find this Oasis for relaxation with the beautiful view of Nansio Lagoon. Be a one-way tourist by arriving from Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Nairobi, Kampala, and Zanzibar, by Air or bus to Mwanza city, and spend sometime under the bright stars of Mwanza city. After the gentle introduction of the African culture, you can continue to the Tanzania’s largest National Park, the Serengeti ecosystem through the western corridor, which is very close to this City than any other. Another closest National Park to Mwanza is Rubondo island National Park, where the rare seen Chimpanzee, made their home. Mwanza is full of Cultural tourist attractions as well as Historical sites and Museums. When you are in Mwanza, you can’t talk about Cultural tourism without mentioning Bujora Museum center, this is the Sukuma museum found in Kisesa area where all history about the sukuma tribe is provided, the tribe said to be the largest in Tanzania. At Bujora center, there is an enormous Church built in 1952 where local people are taught Catholic Liturgy todate. This church was designed by cultural Arctic’s and attracts every visitor who comes to explore this majesty of the sukumaland. Beyond the city, there is KAGEYE historical site found in 1800s.It is a small village very famous during those past years. This village is part of Sukuma Kingdom.Sukuma land comprised of 52 separate and independent kingdoms (chiefdoms) among which one of the smallest is this one. Kageye is one of the oldest historical sites in Tanzania. Stanley was the first man to have measured its precise Geographical position, Longitude 33,13’East and Latitude 2,31’South.Kageye deserves a distinction of possessing a monument of the memory of those unfortunate and innocent victims of slave trade. At this very place, is where they were enchained for the long and terrible journey to the cost of about 720miles(1200kms) which separate Kageye and Bagamoyo.At this historical site, is where you can find Grave yards of Frederick Barker an Explorer who died of Dysentery on April 23rd 1875.Jonh Smith a Missionary died on 11th May 1877,together withy other black men buried together at Kageye.other famous Explorers passed by Kageye, like Dr Fisher a German who passed there in December 1885 on his way from Buganda, also Dr Junker a Russian of Jewish desert from St Petersburg, who had been exploring in Sudan and Egypt. If you need the real history of past Traders, missionaries, and Explorers, kageye is the ideal site for every one. In the direction of Serengeti, you won’t dare to miss the cultural experience at Utamaduni camp. Before or after Serengeti game drive, visit the utamaduni camp that is situated 12kms from park entry gate of Ndabaka, towards Mwanza. This is the place where you can meet two giant histories namely, Lake Victoria, and sukumaland. Activities and programs provided here are, Fishermen village tour and history, canoeing tour by local boats and dhows, Fishing program, traditional Healer, Sukuma dance, fire dance, Digging dance, Snake dance, Healing dance and songs, Sukuma History (Lecture) Picnic sites, Ecotour (Primary school, livestock visit). All these activities are operated at Utamaduni camp. Come one come all and you wont forget all about sukuma Culture.

Day 1On arrival at Mwanza Airport or harbour, from any of the East African Countries, leisure time and overnight.

Day 2Breakfast in Mwanza town, then drive to Bujora Museum center. This is the SUKUMA tribal museum. There you’ll find traditional Archeologists for the presentation. After presentation and a visit to the Snake house, Proceed to Speke Bay lodge for lunch. There after hire a boat for Canoeing in the Lake Victoria. After canoeing go back to the lodge for leisure, dinner and overnight.

Day 3After breakfast, visit Utamanduni Camp, for cultural experience, snake dancing, and visit Traditional Healer, digging dances, also Sukuma History Lecture. Fishermen village tour and history. Ecotourism (primary school, livestork visit) P.M, drive back to Mwanza for dinner and overnight.

Day 4Breakfast in town; afterwards sail to saa nane Island game sanctuary. This is an Island for birdlife; Chimpanzee was introduced, Lion, Hyenas, Primates, and antelopes. After lunch, back to town, leisure time in town, P.M connect a flight to Zanzibar, or Dar or KIA.