Tanzania Beyond Safaris and Zanzibar
Truly not a standard travel stop in cookie cutter Tanzania itineraries, but Ukerewe Island on Victoria Lake is a rewarding trip. Ukerewe Island, when looking on google maps perhaps really looks oddly remote on Victoria lake and probably pulls away many travellers because of the distance, but the fact is, it is not that far once you reach Mwanza!
Ukerewe Island is the largest island on Victoria lake and inland lake in Africa, about 50 kilometers from Mwanza and ferry ride to the island takes on average between 3 and a half hours. Depending on the ferry company. Although 530 km2 in size, the island is simple to navigate around and what is more, most likely no tourists around!
At the time of my visit I haven’t seen any tourists and the feel of the island made me think it s like a little Zanzibar 30 years ago. It’s the place where real rural Tanzania can be experienced. Not too many cars on the island, locals mostly use piki pikis (moto taxis) or bicycles. And bike is the best choice when it comes to exploring the Ukerewe Island. A daily bike rental rate 1000 TSH which equals around 50 cents.
I had four days on Ukerewe Island and as soon I arrived my friend and local guide Paschal awaited me at the ferry port to pick me up.
Getting To Ukerewe Island
To reach Ukerewe Island, there are several ferry options available from Mwanza. I started my trip to Ukerewe from Arusha, made the trip by bus that took me around 15 hours to Mwanza and later a little less than 4 hours with ferry.
Official bus travel time is about 9 hours but I was a bit unlucky with choice of the worst bus company (choose anything but Jordan bus company. Isamilo bus company according to my friends has the best bus fleet on this route, prices from Arusha to Mwanza via Singida start at 30 000 TSH) that turned out to have the oldest buses in their fleet and our bus broke down three times on the way to Mwanza. Nevertheless, it was in a way an adventure.
Note: be careful when buying a bus ticket to Mwanza from Arusha – there is another bus route to Mwanza through Serengeti National Park, it takes more than 12 hours. For this ride you need to pay also Serengeti fee, bus ride is on gravel road once in the park, very bumpy, locals mostly use this bus, its overcrowded.
Mwanza has also good bus connections from Dar es Salaam. Those who prefer flying, there are direct flights from Kilimanjaro airport and Dar es Salaam. Flights operated by Fastjet from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza can be bought from 60 USD one way. Flight takes 1,5 hours. Kilimanjaro Airport – Mwanza route is operated by Precision Air, flight prices vary from 85 USD to 250 USD one way.
In 2015 this route used to be operated also by low cost carrier Fastjet, but they cancelled it in 2016. Check their website if changes have been made. In any case, for route Mwanza to Kilimanjaro Airport I recommend booking Precision air by default. At the time when Fastjet operated, they had many last minute cancellations on this route, which I personally experienced. To avoid travel delays, and rebookings and mailing back and forth for refund go with Precision Air.
Ferries to Ukerewe Island
Once in Mwanza, there are several ferry options to reach Ukerewe Island. From Mwanza ferry terminal there are ferries available:
- The MV CLARIAS public ferry leaves Mwanza at 9:00 am and arrives Ukerewe at 12 pm. It goes back to Mwanza at 2:00 pm and gets there at 6 pm. The tickets are priced at 5000 Tsh and brought from the ports of Mwanza and Ukerewe prior departure.
- The MV NYEHUNGE private ferry leaves Kilumba-Mwanza at 9:00 am and gets here at 12pm. It goes back to Mwanza At 2:00 pm and arrives there at 6 pm. The ferry has two classes with different prices. The first class is for 6000 Tsh and the second one is for 7000 Tsh. The tickets are available at the ports.
- The MV SAMARI private ferry – Leaves Kilumba-Mwanza at 2:00 pm and gets to Ukerewe at 6 pm, It goes back to Mwanza at 7:30 am next day. The “first class” (read: African first class) fare costs 7000 TSH and the second one is for 6000 Tsh. The tickets are available at the terminal ticket window before departure.
Travellers must present passport upon the purchase of ferry tickets.
I used Nyehuenge Ferry, dont expect too much from the boat, it actually looks a little bit scary, very old and rusty. So called “First class” is at the top of the ferry, having about 30 seats only. Since there is no network for a while during the ride to/ from Ukerewe island (at least Vodacom didnt work on the way) its good to bring a book or something to keep you busy for almost 4 hour ferry trip.

First class
It is good to have some snacks and water with you although you can buy some on the ferry, of course higher price from vendors circulating the ship. Besides the basic snacks there are orange vendors in orange season.
Another option is to catch a ferry from Kisolya-Bunda in Mara region. The ferry takes about 45 mins to reach Rugezi town on Ukerewe, then take a car to Nansio. The ferry ticket cost: 400 Tsh. Timetable of the ferry is not clear but it works in morning, in afternoon and in evenings. So tourists coming from this direction have to check the timetable for that day!

Nansio town
Travelling to Ukara Island from Ukerewe by Ferry
Ukara Island is another less known and much more rural island on Victoria Lake that can only be reached from Ukerewe Island. Only one ferry is available.
In the afternoon, the ferry leaves Bugolola Ukerewe at noon and gets there by 1 pm. Then returns to Ukerewe at 2:00 in afternoon.
In evening, the ferry Leaves Bugolola Ukerewe at 5 PM and arrives there at 6 pm. It returns to Ukerewe the next morning at 8:00. The price is 800 Tsh one way.
Where to Sleep on Ukerewe Island
Sleeping options on Ukerewe Island are quite limited. I stayed in Monarch beach resort, because I like being away from noise and they have access to Victoria Lake beach. Other accommodations besides Monarch are, all in Nansio Town – La Bima Hotel (about 1/2 km from the ferry site), Holiday Motel (2 kms from ferry terminal) and Kondeni Hotel, also about 2 kms from the ferry. All available options are low budget range.
Some places to eat are La Bima Hotel, Pamba Cafe in Nansio town center, and Kondeni Hotel. Prices are cheaper than in the rest of Tanzania, a lunch (tilapia fish with rice, veggies with drink) would cost somewhere from 7000 TSH.
When is the Best Time To Visit Ukerewe Island
Ukerewe island can be visited any time throughout the year but the best time to visit from May to October, if you are after sunshine. From May to July there is also orange season! I spent my time on Ukerewe in November, which theoretically should be a rainy season in full swing, but experienced one rain shower for an hour and the rest were sunny, hot days!
Must Pack for Ukerewe Island
- Bring cash for backup – although there is ATM available
- Solar charger and Head lamp – there are frequent power cuts on the island, sometimes no electricity all day!
- Mosquito repellant and anti malaria pills – at least in rainy season, there are so many mosquitos, cant do without mosquito repellant, some hotels have mosquito nets that usually have holes in it, so also duct tape comes handy!
This is a really useful guide to Ukerewe Island, which I must admit I hadn’t even heard of. You have included some really great practical advice – and particularly good to know about the lack of ATMs and regular power-cuts.
Thanks, its actually has more info than you can find in Lonely Planet.:)
Wow! How did you even hear about this place? I’ve never heard of Ukerewe Island. Sounds like quite the journey with the long bus ride and then the ferry ride. Great packing tips too. I would not have thought to bring a solar charger.
if you look you find:) cant wait to come back, have more offbeat places on the list:) Well long bus rides in Tanzania are normal, got used to them.
Thanks for this practical guide, sounds like a great island to visit and I will definitely make it a priority when I go to Africa.
Really detailed and well laid out guide! I appreciate reading exact directions and alternate routes for trips on less tourist beaten paths. We are currently backpacking around Central America and know all about bus delays that turn 6 hour bus rides into over 9. Luckily we haven’t had a breakdown yet. Having three must have been frustrating!!
Great guide to a place (I admit) I wasn’t aware of! It’s so useful to have this info considering it’s off the beaten path. The pictures are beautiful 🙂
Thanks for presenting a different and fresh perspective about Tanzania. Ukerewe sounds like a charming island worth visiting.
Can’t believe your bus broke down three times before you arrived – yikes! It’s sounds like an experience.
Even windows couldnt be closed the whole trip!
This looks incredible! I always pick the wrong bus company, myself, so having the tip of what not to take is extremely helpful for people with my luck. Ha It looks like such a peaceful island. I could definitely stay there.
I had never even heard of this island before! The African continent as a whole is still so mysterious to me so its a refreshing change of pace reading about a country I have yet to understand, moreso breach! My biggest goal is to travel to Tanzania for Victoria Falls. Are the two areas related? (Pardon my ignorance)
Victoria falls has no relation to Victoria Lake, they are in Zambia.
Yikes, sorry about the bus troubles!! I don’t mind a long bus ride if my destination is as cool as this. I have a friend that lives in Tanzania, so I’ve made my list of what I want to do there when I visit her, and you’re right – this isn’t on my list and I’ve never even heard of it! Thanks for enlightening me!
Stayed at the Monarch Beach Hotel and it was very nice, quiet and the evening meal of Zanzibar Fish was grea and reasonable pricest. Small free breakfast. Rooms had fan and Air if you needed though we did not need. We met Michael the manager and he arranged for a morning trip in a Bajaj around the island since we just had one day there. Originally he had motor cycles arranged but our organization does not allow us to ride them so we walked into town and found a Bajaj. He was very informative about the island in excellent English. Loved the beach to just sit and relax and watch the sunset. Was a great place to slow down the pace and relax.
Hi Jennie, great to hear you enjoyed your stay! Agree, the beach side was also for me great place to relax.
Nyehunge ferry it go bwiro on which day in the week?
All info i had I shared in article, unfortunately i cant help you with this specific timetable.