Explore The Lake Zones In Tanzania : As of 2022, Tanzania receives over 1.5 million tourists from around the world. However, most tourists coming to Tanzania prefer visiting the Northern Circuit safari zone. This masterpiece of attractive features of Tanzania is home to spectacular attractions such as the mighty Kilimanjaro Mountain, the inaugural Serengeti National Park and many other attractions like Mount Meru and the Ngorongoro Crater. These visitors miss a lot in other safari zones, especially in the Lake Zone. The Lake Zone (or “Kanda ya Ziwa” in Swahili) is home to numerous natural attractions including the Great Lake Victoria. It also hosts splendid national parks like Rubondo Island National Park, Saanane Island National Park and Burigi Chato National Park, all of which offer a pictorial view of Lake Victoria. The Lake Zone is also home to authentic cultural groups which include the Sukuma, Kerewe, Haya, Sumbwa, Zanaki, Kurya and Jita.
How to get to the Lake Zone
The Lake Zone is mainly comprised of several regions like Mwanza, Shinyanga, Geita, Simiyu, Kagera and Mara. All these regions have airports that receive flights from most parts of Tanzania. Drives from all regions of Tanzania are also available to any of these regions.
What to expect in the Lake Zone?
If you are looking for untouched destinations for your marvelous holiday? You are in the right destination. The Lake Zone is never crowded. So, you will explore virgin natural attractions privately without distractions. Here are some iconic attractions that you will meet with on your safari through the Lake Zone:
Burigi Chato National Park
Burigi Chato National Park was established in 2019 with a total area of 4707 square kilometers. This eye-catching park stretches from the Lake Victoria border in the east to the Rwandan boundary in the west. It is one of few wonderful national parks with unspoiled land hosting some varieties of flora and fauna species.
It is famous for being home to the world’s largest antelope, the iconic Cape eland. This gorgeous animal is always encountered by most tourists in the small islands within the Burigi Chato lakes. You will also encounter the rare Sitatunga antelope, which is usually encountered in swampy areas. Other wild animals include elephants, sable antelope, warthog, topi, waterbuck, buffalo and zebra to name a few.
Other attractions include over 28 bird species. The unique carnivorous bird, the shoe-billed stork which predates fishes, snakes and eels is usually encountered in this park.
Lake Victoria
This is a stunning lake that is found in three countries namely Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
When you are on a trip to this wonderful lake, you can enjoy various activities including swimming, canoeing, boat safari and sport fishing as well as chilling on its exquisite beaches. Rubondo Island National Park
This is one of the two island parks of Tanzania. Situated in the spectacular Lake Victoria, Rubondo Island National Park is the largest island park in Africa. It covers an area of 456 square kilometers and it offers unappalled exposure to chimpanzees, one of the most intelligent primates in the world.
This park can be reached by booking a boat from Mwanza, 150 kilometers away. Here you will view wild animals including elephants, giraffes, antelopes, bushbucks, colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys and the rare sitatunga antelope. On the shallow shore, you will meet some iconic water birds, crocodiles and hippos.
Other things to do while on a safari in Rubondo Island include sport fishing, swimming and canoe safaris.
Saanane Island National Park
Have you thought of meeting the smallest park in Tanzania? It is also the smallest island park in Africa with a total area of 2.18 square kilometers. Situated just 2 kilometers in southwest of Mwanza City, Saanane Island is an interesting masterpiece of Lake Victoria.
You may be wondering where the name “Saanane” comes from. Saanane Island was initially established as an animal garden by an esteemed conservationist called Saanane Chawandi. So, it was named after this important person who played a great role in its foundation.
This island is home to various wild animals such as buffalo, impala, elephant, giraffe, zebra, antelope, hippo, vervet monkeys and some reptiles such as rock hyrax, crocodile and lizard.
A day trip to Saanane Island is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because you will enjoy doing exciting things such as game viewing, bird-watching, canoeing, rock climbing and walking tours.
Bujora Cultural Centre and Sukuma Museum
Apart from exquisite parks, the Lake Zone is also home to fascinating cultural centers and museums. Bujora Cultural Center features the history, life and cultural practices of the Sukuma. It depicts their ancient leaders, their kinships and life back centuries ago.
Butiama Juluius K. Nyerere Museum
This is a museum situated in Butiama in Mara region which features the life of Julius Kambarage Nyerere, the first president of Tanzania. Your visit to this magnificent site will make you learn more about the Mara tribes as well as pay tribute to the grave of Mwalimu Nyerere.
It is really hard to put all the fascinating scenes of the Lake Zone in just a single writing. However, visitors who have been in this safari zone have found it easy to summarize the magical views in their memories.
