Things You Need to Know About the Mwanza City

Mwanza City, referred to as Rock City, by the residents, is a port city on Lake Victoria’s southern shore in north-western Tanzania. Its urban population by 2021 was 1,182,000, making it the second-largest city in Tanzania, after Dar es Salaam. Mwanza Tanzania is also Lake Victoria Basin’s second-largest city after Kampala in Uganda, dwarfing Kisumu in Kenya for having the least population size.

Mwanza is the 5th largest city in the East African Community after Dar es Salam, Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kampala. Mwanza has a slightly bigger population per city limit than Kigali, Bujumbura, and Kisumu. However, when it comes to infrastructure, the cities of Kisumu and Kigali are better than Mwanza Tanzania. This city also doubles as the capital of Mwanza Region, with its administration split into two municipal districts in the region – Nyamagana and Ilemela.

Ethnicity

The Sukuma are more than 90 percent of Mwanza Region’s population. More ethnic groups in the region, in smaller proportions, such as the Haya, Zinza, Nyamwezi, Sumbwa, Kurya, Luo, Jita, Kerewe, and Shashi. They live primarily in the area of Mwanza city. National policy, however, attaches limited significance to ethnic societies, and reliable data is hard to find.

{Historical populations | 1978 -110,553 | 1988 -172,287 | 2002-385,810 | 2012-3,200,000

Economy

Furahisha Bridge in Mwanza Tanzania symbolizes safety and transportation f its people. it’s a remarkable symbol of the city, and it created a safe space for citizens

By 2011,  the City Council revealed intentions to create a colossal commercial development in  Ilemela District. Construction on Rock City Mall ended at the beginning of 2016. Apart from being among the country’s biggest malls, it’s the biggest in Mwanza Tanzania.

Mwanza is home to Tanzania Breweries Ltd’s brewery.

Fishing

Fishing is the leading occupation for the people along Lake Victoria shores in the Mwanza region, with 5 fish processing factories. There was the introduction of Nile perch to the lake, with the exportation of large quantities.

The effects of the Nile perch industry led to the document Darwin’s Nightmare (2004) by Hubert Sauper that got nominated for an Academy Award.

Sanitation and Water Coverage

Coverage of water supply stands at 75 percent, with sewerage at 23.7 percent. Projects to boost range include the UN-Habitat Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation (LVWATSAN-Mwanza) project.

Mwanza Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (Mwauwasa), a government entity created in 1996, manages the water. The authority manages Mwanza Town, Kisesa Town (Magu District), Misungwi City and Nyahiti Village (Misungwi District), Geita, Lamadi (Simiyu Region), Sengerema and Nansio. MWAUWASA manages a wastewater treatment plan based in Butuja Ilemela. 

Tourism

Mwanza National Parks

Saanane National Park is situated on a rocky island found in Lake Victoria, 500m away from Capri Point in the middle of Mwanza.

Ndabaka Gate, on Serengeti National Park’s westernmost gate, is 150km by road away from Mwanza City.  Mwanza- based tour operators organise Serengeti National Park day trips

Rubondo Island National Park is accessible by road, boat, or direct flight from Mwanza. The park is about 110km west of the town of Mwanza.

Bismarck Rock Mwanza

Bismarck Rock is a massive granite rock formation situated in Lake Victoria near the city of Mwanza in Tanzania. The rock formation is named after the German chancellor Otto von Bismarck and is one of the iconic landmarks of Mwanza.

The rock is about 15 meters tall and is perched on a small rocky island just off the shore of Mwanza. It is said to have been formed over 400 million years ago and is one of the oldest rock formations in Africa. The rock is also home to a colony of Egyptian fruit bats.

Beaches in Mwanza

Mwanza is known for its beautiful beaches. Here are the top 3 beaches in Mwanza:

• Capri Point Beach – Capri Point Beach is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking. 
• Tunza Beach – Tunza Beach is a beautiful, secluded beach that is perfect for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. 
• Saanane Island National Park – Although not technically a beach, Saanane Island National Park is a popular spot for swimming and other water activities. 

Culture

Sukuma Museum is situated in Bujora, in the east of Mwanza, adjacent Kisesa. It offers an overview of the background, culture, sukuma language and architecture of the Sukuma tribe,  with the majority of the local population.

Fun fact, did you know there’s a song called Mwanza by diamond platnumz and rayvanny? Check out the diamond platnumz mwanza lyrics here!

Biodiversity

The region is home to a vast range of biodiversity, with a variety of plant and animal species that thrive in the diverse ecosystems found in and around the lake and the surrounding areas.

One peculiar animal is the mwanza flat-headed rock agama. This is a lizard species endemic to Mwanza region of Tanzania, particularly in and around the city of Mwanza. It is also known as the Spider-Man Agama, because of its coloring. They’re small in size, and many people purchase them as pets. You can find mwanza flat-headed rock agama for sale here!

Education

Mwanza’s main university is St Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT). The University covers more than  600 acres (243 ha) in the Nyegezi-Malimbe region 1 km south of Mwanza Town. It’s 4km from the primary Mwanza-Shinyanga road along Lake Victoria’s southeastern shores. The University is a 30 -minutes drive from Mwanza by bus or car.

Places of Worship

Christian churches and temples are the predominant places of worship: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mwanza (Catholic Church), Africa Inland Church, Anglican Church (Anglican Communion), Evangelical Lutheran Church (Lutheran World Federation), Assemblies of God, Baptist Convention (Baptist World Alliance). Muslim mosques and a BAPS temple for the Hindu society are also available.

Climate

Mwanza has a tropical savanna climate according to the Köppen classification. Temperatures are fairly consistent throughout the year, determined by the altitude of the city. Thus, the environment isn’t quite as hot as expected because of the city’s proximity to the equator. Mwanza’s average temperature is roughly 23.5 °C (74.3 °F) all over the year. Mwanza has a lengthy wet season running from October to May, with a short dry season covering the rest of the four months. The city receives roughly 1,050mm (41in) average annual precipitation.

Check out this chart with the average temperatures of the weather in Mwanza Tanzania:

Transport

Mwanza Airport

Mwanza Airport serves the city, designated as the region’s airport.

Air Tanzania has flights to Dar es Salaam. Precision Air offers regular flights to Mwanza, such as from Nairobi (through Kilimanjaro), while Air Tanzania flies to the city as well.

Railway

A branch of Tanzania’s Central Railway connects Mwanza with Shinyanga.  The train departs twice weekly to Dar es Salaam, through Dodoma, Tabora and Kigoma.

Buses

Nyamagana district has Nyegezi Bus Station. Buses going south and west depart from Nyegezi, including international trips.

Ilemela district has Buzuruga bus station. Buses going north, east and the Kenyan border leave from this bus station.

Ferry

By December 2014, the daily ferry service between Kampala, Mwanza, and Bukoba was stopped as the ferry boat, MV Victoria, was undergoing major maintenance.

Sports

The national football team of Tanzania has played several games in CCM Kirumba Stadium.

Mwanza’s Mbao FC was promoted to the Tanzanian Premier League towards the end of the 2015/2016 season. 

Cooperation with International Cities

Finland Tampere, Finland as part of the North-South Local Government Co-operation Programme.

Würzburg in Germany

Western Sahara Tifariti in the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

Locations in Mwanza City

There are many important locations spread all around Mwanza City.

The archdiocese of Mwanza is the Metropolitan See for the Ecclesiastical province of Mwanza in Tanzania. 

The equity bank Mwanza at Nyamagana, Mwanza.

The Bugando medical centre Mwanza Tanzania is a 950+ bed tertiary referral center founded by the Catholic Church. The Bugando hospital Mwanza Tanzania has approximately 1,000 medical students.

The Aga khan hospital Mwanza has over 90 years of existence in Tanzania. It is located at the heart of the city. 

Capri point mwanza is a neighborhood located nearby to the village Isamilo Kaskazini and the neighborhood Mlango Moja. Bwiru Mwanza is another neighborhood in Mwanza city.

Visiting Mwanza

The Mwanza airport is a major regional airport in northern Tanzania. There are multiple flights to Mwanza Tanzania by different airlines. 

The Dar es salaam to Mwanza flight is just one hour and 30 minutes long. It is easy to find a Dar to Mwanza flight. You can find flights from air Tanzania Dar to Mwanza price of $87 or more. The price of Arusha to Mwanza flights is around $300.

There’s also flights from Arusha to Mwanza, flights from Kilimanjaro to Mwanza, even flights from Nairobi to Mwanza Tanzania. 

Sadly, you can’t take a Dar es salaam to Mwanza bus. The distance from Dar es salaam to Mwanza is too long, so there is no direct bus. The distance of Dar to Mwanza km is 1,129 km. The distance from Dar to Mwanza is an almost 18-hour drive. 

The distance from Mwanza to Dar es salaam is also 1,129 km. 

The distance from Bukoba to Mwanza is 422.7 km. The distance from Arusha to Mwanza is 620.5 km. The distance from Mwanza to Bukoba is also 422.7 km. The distance of Dodoma to Mwanza km is 687 km. 

You can rent a car in Mwanza. There’s plenty of car hire Mwanza for your trip. 

Where to Stay

You can find an apartment for rent in Mwanza. You can also opt for an Airbnb Mwanza Tanzania. 

You may also find a house for rent in Capri point Mwanza!

If you don’t want to rent an apartment or an Airbnb, you can stay at one of the hotels in Mwanza City. There are plenty of hotels in Mwanza Tanzania. Here are some of the best hotels in Mwanza Tanzania:

• Gold Crest Hotel Mwanza Tanzania: The gold crest Mwanza hotel has a stylish and luxurious design, and personalized service. 
• Tilapia Hotel Mwanza Tanzania: Hotel Tilapia is situated along the Capri Point, less than a kilometer drive from the city center. 
• Aspen Hotel Mwanza: this hotel is located at Uhuru street in the city center. 

If you’re looking for hotels near Mwanza airport, check these out:

• Ryans Bay Hotel Mwanza Tanzania: The Ryan bay hotel Mwanza Tanzania is a newly built hotel situated at the heart of the city by the shores of Lake Victoria.
• Malaika Beach Resort Mwanza Tanzania: This hotel is recently-renovated. It’s an African style modern resort with comfortable amenities. 
• Adden Palace Hotel Mwanza: The Aden hotel Mwanza is a three-star hotel located just 3.5 km away from the airport. 

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