RUBONDO ISLAND CAMP – Lake Victoria
The plane soars over Lake Victoria, the world’s second largest lake, its shore stretching across Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. Beneath you, crocodiles swarm over a pebbled island, hundreds of birds squabble and squawk, jostling for food and space on Bird Island. On the horizon, Rubondo comes into view, a vast uninhabited green jewel, home to an incredible ecosystem and astounding diverse wildlife. Hippos play in the bay, submerging themselves in the cool lake, taking refuge from the sun. A fish eagle glides effortlessly over the sandy beach, swooping down over the water to catch its prey. You stare down into the dense leafy forest canopy, hoping to catch a glimpse of the island’s giraffe, stately elephants and elusive chimpanzees. Ahead, the swamp glistens like an emerald.
Nestled by the shore of Lake Victoria, complete with the lapping of waves against the sand, Rubondo Island Camp is the only camp on the island.
Rubondo Island Camp has ten luxury tented rooms with ensuite bathrooms, hot running water, electricity and a laundry service, despite the remote location. Each room has a private verandah where you can read or relax in peace and watch the bushbuck roam, delicate and graceful through the camp grounds. The camp also has a swimming pool, perfect for a swim during the midday heat.
The restaurant at Rubondo Island Camp provides good simple food, including fresh fish. Eat breakfast in the restaurant and you’re treated to the sight of vervet monkeys scrambling up trees in search of fruit for their own breakfast. Selections of books are available for guests to borrow as well as copies of the studies on the island’s chimpanzees.
Sit out on the wooden deck by the shore and enjoy a sundowner, watch the sunset over the lake, turning the sky into burnished golds and orange, reflected in the waters of Lake Victoria. White egret sit and chatter on the rocks, Egyptian geese paddle serenely and tiny jewelled kingfishers, all glowing blue and orange, flit from rock to rock. Occasionally, hippos swim in the bay, coming up to the shore for a leafy midnight snack, leaving pad prints across the golden sandy beach. Welcome to Rubondo Island Camp, Tanzania’s undiscovered treasure. Home to nature, beauty and wonder.
CHADA KATAVI
Katavi belongs to the beasts of Africa; it is the only human presence, for miles and miles. There are no other camps, no mini buses and no tourists, in a million acres of National Park. The main camp at Katavi sits on the wide floodplains of Chada, a Mecca for game. This is a place for the wildlife enthusiast with concentrated quantities of Game. Here travellers can walk, stalk and bush whack in Land Rovers, without restrictions.
Nights at Katavi can be spent out in fly camps – bedrolls slung under borassus palms – or in the relative civilization of the main camp, with canvas tents, campaign furniture and long lazy dinners. Game is literally everywhere, including in the camp itself. There are huge herds of elephant, pods of yawning hippo, thousands of buffalo, hyena, crocodile, leopard and lion also rarities such as puku, sable and roan antelope.
LUPITA ISLAND CAMP – LAKE TANGANYIKA
Katavi belongs to the beasts of Africa; it is the only human presence, for miles and miles. There are no other camps, no mini buses and no tourists, in a million acres of National Park. The main camp at Katavi sits on the wide floodplains of Chada, a Mecca for game. This is a place for the wildlife enthusiast with concentrated quantities of Game. Here travellers can walk, stalk and bush whack in Land Rovers, without restrictions.
Nights at Katavi can be spent out in fly camps – bedrolls slung under borassus palms – or in the relative civilization of the main camp, with canvas tents, campaign furniture and long lazy dinners. Game is literally everywhere, including in the camp itself. There are huge herds of elephant, pods of yawning hippo, thousands of buffalo, hyena, crocodile, leopard and lion also rarities such as puku, sable and roan antelope.
GREYSTOKE, MAHALE
Situated on the shores of Lake Tanganyika this exclusive camp is the ideal way to distance oneself from civilization. Access is only by light aircraft as there are no roads for sixty miles. As you make the approach to Greystoke Mahale by dhow, the outline of the camp is visible against a backdrop of deep green forest and pale beach.
The focal point of Greystoke Mahale is the bar and dining area rising up from the sand and loosely modelled on traditional Tongwe architecture. The air is scented with jasmine, the forest rich, the water of the lake is gin clear, and lightly chilled.
The camp lies on a crescent beach at the foot of the Mahale Mountains, lapped by Lake Tanganyika. Your home at Greystoke Mahale is in wildly exotic wooden bandas looking out across the beach, with interiors fashioned from seasoned dhow timber. The six suites are open-fronted, with adjoining bathrooms, and upstairs chill-out decks, designed for the most demanding castaway. The highlight of the camp is the Chimpanzee tracking where you can become an intimate watcher of their secret lives. Other activities include sailing on a Tanzanian Dhow, fishing, swimming and walking.
KATAVI WILDLIFE CAMP
Katavi National Park, one of Tanzania’s most westerly and remote parks, is only just beginning to gain recognition for its beauty and the quality of its game viewing. Katavi Wildlife Camp is an exclusive camp located in one of the best game areas where you can watch the daily movements of the game. The tents are set back amongst the trees that line the floodplain providing both shade and camouflage in the prime game viewing area. Tents all have wooden floors, comfortable hand carved beds, writing desks and safari chairs and ensuite bathrooms
LUPITA ISLAND LODGE
Springing from Lake Tanganyika, one of the most pristine and largest bodies of freshwater in the world, Lupita Island offers a romantic getaway. As the island’s only inhabitants, the guests and staff at Lupita Lodge share a unique experience of mind and body purification as well as relaxation mixed with an invigorating array of activities to satisfy all the senses.
The individual cottages follow a flowing open–air plan ensuring cool breezes and sunset views to last a lifetime. Each is designed with an eye to privacy with spacious living areas, private bar and large open verandas with plunge pools, as well as hot waterfall showers and large outdoor baths.
Choose from snorkelling or scuba diving around one of the island’s magnificent bays, fishing in either the traditional way in a small dhow with hand line and oar, or kitted out with the latest in equipment on the private speedboat. The guests’ own private butler will always be on hand to show them around the island and tend to their every need.
Built under the cooling shade of a grass roof, and enjoying a private veranda looking out over the Great Rift Valley, these en suite tents offer the greatest comfort in the greatest proximity to nature.
HOTEL TILAPIA – MWANZA
Hotel Tilapia is situated along Capri – point, on the serene shores of the Lake Victoria. What’s more it’s less than a kilometer drive from the city centre. From time to time of its inauguration. Hotel Tilapia has gone through tremendous changes and improvisations; the Hotel is renowned for its excellent service, uncompromisable hospitality and exquisite cuisine.
It boasts of 40 clean, well maintained air-conditioned rooms with mini bar, free internet connectivity and other standard amenities, 4 restaurants and 3 bars, a fully equipped business centre, swimming pool and a beautiful garden. Some of the rooms are lake facing with a spectacular view of the Lake Victoria.
LA -KAIRO HOTEL
Top-end international conference hotel with very competitive rates, beautiful hotel garden with bars, pool table and a quiet location, but not far from the town centre. An ideal choice for groups, business travelers and conferences/events with up to 50 participants. The six-storied section (picture above) is newly built – and some rooms have a spectacular town- and lake view.
ISAMILO LODGE
Isamilo Lodge – the new top end hotel in Mwanza, located in Isamilo Hills – exactly from where the English explorer, Mr. John Hanning Speke in August 1858 ‘discovered’ Lake Victoria. Isamilo Lodge offers you 20 very luxurious rooms – some with a spectacular harbour, town and lake view. Executive rooms have air condition, mini-bar and a private veranda. Further more: Isamilo Lodge offers you fresh air, quiet surroundings, safe parking – only a stone throw from town.
MIDLAND HOTEL
Midland Hotel is a new and modern top end hotel in the heart of Mwanza. The rooms have all air condition, mini-bar, luxury bath rooms and exclusive furniture. Some rooms are overlooking Lake Victoria – others Mwanza City.
Midland Hotel is also a top modern conference hotel – with a business center, several conference halls – fully equipped with latest conference facilities.
Sunpharm Pharmacy, the biggest supplier of medicine in town is located in the ground floor.
RYAN’S BAY HOTEL
Ryan’s Bay Hotel is the new four star hotel in Mwanza, Lake Zone. The guests at Ryan’s will enjoy the warm and welcoming atmosphere.
The service is friendly and professional as customer satisfaction is a top priority. Ryan’s Bay Hotel is situated on Station Road at Capri Point in Mwanza City on the shores of Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in Africa. It is close to the airport, bus station, port and railway station. Shopping and downtown Mwanza is just a five-minute walk from Ryan’s Bay Hotel.
TUNZA LODGE
Close to the airport and only eight km from Mwanza Town you will find this tropical paradise.
Tunza Lodge is the only hotel in the district with a white-sanded beach and it is situated in a huge and beautiful garden with all what you ever have dreamed of. Relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the lakeshore.
BAHIGI BEACH RESORT
Bahigi Beach Resort is a new and modern lodge located at Ilemela, on the shores of Lake Victoria in Mwanza – six kms from the city centre and only three kms from Mwanza Airport. Bahigi Beach Resort is offering high class accommodation, restaurant and mini-conference facility.
Bahigi Beach Resort strategically located at the cool shores of the lake and very close to Mwanza Airport for both arriving and departing guests.
MILLENIUM SQUARE HOTEL
Millenium Square Hotel is newly opened and situated along Shinyanga Road in Mwanza – only 9 km from the city centre and next to Nyegezi Bus Station (end station for inter-city busses from Dar es Salaam, Dodoma and Arusha).
Millenium Square Hotel is offering high class accommodation, restaurants, bars, business center and conference facility.
Millenium Square Hotel is just 19 km from Mwanza Airport. Millenium Square Hotel is newly opened and situated along Shinyanga Road in Mwanza – only 9 km from the city centre and next to Nyegezi Bus Station (end station for inter-city busses from Dar es Salaam, Dodoma and Arusha).
Millenium Square Hotel is offering high class accommodation, restaurants, bars, business center and conference facility. Millenium Square Hotel is just 19 km from Mwanza Airport.
MONARCH HOTEL
Monarch Hotel – a recent opened hotel in the quiet Kirumba area – only 2 kilometers from Mwanza Town and 8 kilometers from the airport. The hotel offers surprising facilities e.g. in-room internet access for laptops, conference hall and a huge out-door bar. An excellent choice for meetings, conferences, weddings etc
TREEHOUSE
Treehouse offers a very comfortable bed breakfast accommodation in the convenient Isamilo area and next door to the very nice Kivulini Kitchen Restaurant, run by a Women’s Empowerment Project.
Treehouse is a beautiful resting place with cool breezes and views of Lake Victoria. An ideal place for all those who are visiting or working in Mwanza – and want to contribute through their stay to a project that supports Mwanza’s many street children.
SERENGETI STOP OVER
Serengeti Stop Over is located 135 km from Mwanza Town, but only one from the Ndabaka Gate. This is few meters from the Serengeti National Park’s Western Gate. The Serengeti Stop Over facility overlooks the famous plains of the Serengeti.
When you are here – you definitely DON’T need a TV, CNN World News or whatever. Believe us: You are in a different world – the natural and real one!
WALKGARD HOTEL-Bukoba
The hotel is conveniently located, in such a way that it will take you barely 10 minutes to drive and reach it from all important places in the township, including the airport, the harbour and the main bus terminal. The hotel provides transport services to its guests.
The hotel offers you comfort, friendliness and courtesy, all in one, as well as a memorable experience of your stay in this cool, fresh-aired and spectacular lakeside township of Bukoba. We also specialise in Safaris and Guided Tour along and within Lake Victoria; which explores the Magic of Kagera that includes its geography, its people and their wide variety of cultures intertwined here and there with foreign influences.
The Lake Victoria and its abundant rainfall attract a rich variety of fauna and flora and a dense human population. This area has four Game reserves and one National Park namely Rumanyika and Ibanda Game reserves in the north, Biharamulo and Burigi Game reserves to the south and Rubondo Island National Park on the Lake, quite close to Biharamulo game reserve on the East.