Tanzania - Central Tanzania & Lake Victoria (Chapter)

This is the Central Tanzania & Lake Victoria chapter from Lonely Planet’s Tanzania guidebook.

Well off most tourist itineraries, central Tanzania is like nowhere else in the country. Its semi-arid climate and lack of permanent rivers discouraged early settlement and more recently terrible roads have kept visitors away.  It’s not without worthy attractions though. Prime among these are the enigmatic Kondoa Rock-Art Sites scattered across remote hills along the Rift Valley Escarpment. Mt Hanang, Tanzania’s fourth-highest peak and gateway to the colourful Barabaig and other local tribes, is another draw. Cultural Tourism Programs in these two areas offer a window into traditional lifestyles little-touched by visitors that just can’t be had anymore in the heavily touristed north. Dodoma, Tanzania’s legislative capital, is less inspiring, but it hosts interesting architecture and the region’s best facilities. If you’re prepared to rough things a little with transport and accommodation, you’ll undoubtedly have a memorable time here.

• Visiting the mysterious Kondoa Rock-Art Sites
• maps
• Getting to know the Barabaig, Sandawe and other traditional tribes of Central Tanzania on a cultural tour out of Babati and Kondoa
• transport
• Summiting Tanzania’s seldom-climbed fourth highest peak, Mt Hanang
• restaurants & accommodation
• Seeing elephants, giraffes and black and white colobus on a walk through the forest at Rubondo Island National Park
• Soaking up the sights, sounds and smells as you stroll Temple Street and Makoroboi in central Mwanza
• Pondering the strange forces of nature that balanced the boulders at Jiwe Kuu

Coverage includes: Dodoma, Babati, Mt Hanang, Kondoa Rock-Art Sites, Singida, Musoma, Mwanza, Around Mwanza, Ukerewe/ Rubondo Island National Park, Biharamulo and Bukoba.