Natural Beauty
Nature flaunts its beauty in the curves of an amphitheatre painted in jade and emerald hues and the curious wildlife that lives on the lake and among the foliage.
Bukoba is a tiny coffee and vanilla farming town that beckons for you to lose yourself in the wild, untouched tangles of Tanzania, on the glimmering western shores of Lake Victoria. It has a population of more than 100,000 and is the second largest port on Lake Victoria. Attractions include Katuruka Heritage Site, Kagera Museum, Musira Island and Bunena Church.
Get ready to experience authentic small town charm with cheap flights to Bukoba. Bukoba is served by Bukoba Airport (BKZ), which is a 10-minute drive to the town centre. Bukoba Airport serves Precision Air. Popular international flights to Bukoba depart from Cape Town and Johannesburg. Flight duration from Johannesburg to Bukoba is approximately 14 hours 45 minutes.
| Flight Route | Airline | Trip Type | Travel Dates | Searched | Price From |
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Nature flaunts its beauty in the curves of an amphitheatre painted in jade and emerald hues and the curious wildlife that lives on the lake and among the foliage.
Indulge your palate with the tantalising East African flavours of local dishes such as slow roasted chicken nyama choma, barbecued bananas, mchemsho, deep fried locusts, ugali, chapatti bread and matoke.
Locally brewed beers and spirits will seduce your senses. Konyagi is a popular gin-like spirit that is brewed from the juice of bananas. Corn, honey and sorghum are also used.
Essential details you need to know before your trip
| Country | Tanzania |
|---|---|
| Currency | Tanzanian Shilling |
| Exchange Rate | 1 ZAR = 171.01 TZS |
| Language | Swahili / English |
| Hub Airport | Bukoba Airport |
| Airline | Precision Air |
| Time Zone | GMT +3 |
| Travel Adaptor | Standard type D & G |
Bukoba has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons: wet and dry. The wet season settles over the city from March to May with heavy downpours in the afternoon. Humidity and temperatures are high during this time (daily temperatures hover in the low-mid 30 degrees Celsius region). The dry season spans from June to October. Animals emerge in abundance during this time and the landscape flourishes. The dry season is a fantastic time to visit if you want to experience the sublime natural beauty of Bukoba and encounter some of the weird and wonderful animal inhabitants. There is another wet season during November and December, but this rainfall is brief and much lighter than the wet season rainfall. January and February offer a brief dry season before the heavy rainfall descends in March.
Average temperature (°C) & rainfall (mm) per month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low °C | 16°C | 16°C | 16°C | 17°C | 17°C | 16°C | 16°C | 15°C | 15°C | 16°C | 16°C | 16°C |
| High °C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 26°C | 26°C | 26°C | 26°C | 26°C | 26°C | 26°C | 26°C | 26°C |
| Rainfall (mm) | 155 | 176 | 243 | 357 | 288 | 80 | 49 | 69 | 99 | 165 | 211 | 209 |
Bukoba welcomes you with herb infused coffee beans, traditional banana brew and a warm ‘Jambo!’
Although its roots can be traced back to 1890, Bukoba has managed to remain an undiscovered treasure brimming with trademark Tanzanian warmth and the unmistakable allure of East African culture. Bukoba beckons – a pristine piece of paradise bursting at the seams with colour and laughter.
Journey into Bukoba and you will discover remarkable natural beauty; rustic villages sprawled across the warm sand that surrounds Lake Victoria; a seductive calm that will seep into your bones and invigorate your tired mind; and traces of the native Bahaya people.
Bukoba beckons you to explore its magnificent landscapes, get to know its people and discover a world of delicious cuisine, staggering natural beauty and sincere hospitality.
Compare several airlines, and book your cheap flights to Bukoba online at Travelstart.
South African passport holders do require a visa when travelling to Bukoba, or anywhere else in Tanzania. You should leave considerable time for processing. Before leaving on your trip, ensure your passport has two blank pages for entry stamps and has a validity of at least six months.
The Tanzanian High Commission is situated in Pretoria. 850 George St, Arcadia, 0001. Phone: (+27) 012 342 4371
Banjul is considered a safe city. However, crime happens everywhere, even in tiny towns like Bukoba. Certain precautions should always be followed when travelling to an unfamiliar place.
Avoid isolated areas such as secluded beaches. Keep an eye on your belongings or avoid carrying around bags and wallets as pick-pocketing and purse snatching can happen. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid venturing out alone at night.
Water should be boiled thoroughly before use. Ice cubes and raw or under-cooked food should be avoided. Malaria is common in Tanzania. Avoid bites by using insect repellent and making use of mosquito nets. Proof of yellow fever immunisation is required upon arrival if you are coming from areas with risk of yellow fever transmission. Other routine and recommended vaccinations include Hepatitis A & B, typhoid, tetanus, poliomyelitis, rabies, cholera, tuberculosis, meningococcal meningitis, measles and diphtheria.
| Item | Cape Town | Johannesburg | Bukoba |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | R 100.00 | R 100.00 | R 26.83 |
| Domestic beer (0.5 litre draught) | R 25.00 | R 25.00 | R 26.83 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | R 10.00 | R 10.00 | R 23.85 |
| Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) | R 38.00 | R 38.00 | R 19.38 |
Bukoba is a tiny city, so accommodation is limited. Accommodation options are typically guest houses and intimate hotels scattered along the shores of Lake Victoria or tucked away in the local neighbourhoods. There is one hotel that offers upmarket accommodation. But whatever you choose, warm local hospitality, personalised service and simple, but comfortable facilities are standard.
Accommodation in Bukoba is conveniently located, within walking distance to shops, attractions and Lake Victoria. You will get a chance to indulge in authentic home-style Tanzanian cuisine and get to know the locals. You may also find yourself staying in an old building steeped in history.
Transportation is limited in Bukoba.
The MV Victoria does three trips a week, sailing overnight from Bukoba to Mwanza. It departs from Bukoba every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and departs from Mwanza every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. A trip takes about 12 hours.
The main bus terminal is situated in the centre of town. Mohamed Trans, Sumry High Class, RS Bus and Osaka Raha offer long-haul buses to Dar es Salaam. Tickets can be booked in advance at nearby bus offices.
Bukoba is a small town, making it entirely possible to explore on foot.
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