Tanzania: Mwanza - Economic and Tourism Hub

Mwanza — Mwanza is memorable for all the right reasons. The firm handshake extended to all visitors, good food (finger-licking) stimulated by great conversation and a nice atmosphere are common traits in Mwanza.

Mwanza, the second largest city after Dar es Salaam, has always been a popular destination, but recently it has grown into an economic and tourism hub.

Tourists have begun to visit Mwanza in ever increasing numbers. The money from fishing and mining has seen an expansion in tourist accommodation facilities ranging from luxury five star hotels to those only offering bed and breakfast.

The first striking thing as you enter the Central Business District is the new imposing skyline. Shiny shopping malls, hotels and in the near distance along the lake shore are the Bismarck Rocks, a famous city landmark.

The last time I was here the hospitality industry was still in its infancy. There was not that much to choose from. Today, it is very different.

This time around, I was irrepressibly excited about the blend of modern and contemporary architecture with a number of hotels and all within the sprawling CBD and beyond.

The second thing you realize is the city is slowly but surely reclaiming its glory as the capital of the Lake zone.

According to Gloria Munhambo from the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) Lake zone office in Mwanza, there are many manufacturing companies setting up operations.

In Mwanza, I noticed, life thrives around the beachfront hotels and lodges. There are many opportunities for both tourists and residents to share the vibrant culture, beautiful climate, and stunning landscapes.

Admittedly, I noticed Mwanza is struggling hard to tap the benefits of conventional tourism and beat its isolation from being one of the best safari destinations in Tanzania.

However, Mwanza is full of unparalleled diversity of scenery, fauna, flora, wildlife (with the Serengeti, located a mere two hour drive away), minerals, thousands of years of great history, plentiful natural wealth and assets.

The city is built on and between hills, in some areas, that thank their striking appearance to the enormous pebbles perched on hills are stone houses with some of its buildings crisscrossing between the hills.

Mwanza, the largest city and the economic heart of the Lake Zone, overlooking Africa's largest lake, Victoria, got the nickname Rock City because of the gigantic rocks jutting out of the lake waters and strewn inland, giving the city a unique topography.

The wonders include enormous rock formations precariously balanced on top of each other, one of the rare sightings found throughout the countryside and around Lake Victoria in Mwanza.

Whether one finds it relaxing, exciting, or inspiring, there is no doubt Mwanza can find its place in anyone's heart. Contemporary art and new ideas flourish here and at the beaches there is free expression and everyone is welcomed with open arms.

Music is celebrated extensively in Mwanza in the supercharged creative atmosphere with Igoma and Kirumba (Villa Park) offering the best to celebrate the town's beauty. Residents and newcomers mingle in the drinking joints and eatery in which the town lights up with laughter that keep the streets lit late into the evenings.

The MV Bukoba Tower is built on the outskirts of the city at Bwiru reminding visitors that despite the warmth of the people and the beauty of this city, Mwanza was the scene of a maritime accident of MV Victoria in 1996 killing nearly a thousand people.