Book cheap flights to Kigoma

Beautiful turquoise beaches, borders fringed with palm trees, and crystal clear skies embrace the climate of this wonderfully tropical island. Due to its proximity to the equator, the island couldn’t be anything less than a radical smile of sunshine and fun. During the balmy dry season, from June to October, the various town and lake activities are easiest to access. Another time to visit this tropical island is from December to February, when it is hot and dry. As a guest, you can enjoy a selection of water sports and day trips to tiny, virtually undiscovered local villages, or simply marinate in the tranquil beauty of the island from your open-air room. Fun and relaxation is the rule, and it is the ideal way to start or end a vacation before heading back to the real world. The best time for scuba-diving off the coast of Kigoma is July and August, and February and March. Diving off the north coast is particularly good from June to October, and off the south coast between November and March.

South African passport holders travelling to Kigoma do require a visa for Tanzania.

You will need to ensure your passport has a validity of at least 6 months and at least 2 blank pages available for entry stamps.

The nearest South African Embassy is in Dar es Salaam.

Address: Plot 1338 Mwaya Road, Dar-es-Salaam

Phone: ( 255) 22 260 1800

Email: admin.sahc@gmail.com

Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required if you are travelling from an infected area. Vaccinations for hepatitis A & B and rabies are required. Medication for malaria and travellers’ diarrhoea is recommended. You should also ensure you are up to date with all the routine vaccinations.

Although Kigoma is a relatively safe city, it is still recommended that you exercise caution and remain vigilant at all times. Secure valuables in the hotel safe and avoid carrying large sums of cash and flashy displays of wealth, as pick-pocketing and robberies can happen. Avoid public demonstrations and political rallies. Avoid walking around at night (especially if you are alone).

Make copies of bank cards and other important documentation.

When visiting Kigoma by Lake Tanganyika, it is recommended that you combine your safari with a visit to Gombe, Serengeti and Kavati. You may optionally venture out to other wilderness areas in Southern Tanzania, such as Selous and Ruaha, ending with a beach vacation and Swahili cultural tour on the exotic island of Zanzibar.

There are a few exclusive hotels, which offer facilities such as room service and luxury furnished rooms. Some of these rooms offer gorgeous backdrop views to the famous Lake Tanganyika.

There is a forest lodge which offers affordable lodging with an utterly mind-blowing experience. Enjoy every aspect of your African holiday in a tented camp. Guests can march in the spectacular scenery of a mountain-side rainforest, watch curtain-like waterfalls cascade hundreds of feet downstream, and sunbathe on the endless beaches of beautiful Lake Tanganyika.

By bus: all buses depart from the sandy streets behind the petrol station. The bus station is remarkably organized, with all the bus companies having little ticket offices, with destinations clearly marked. Other bus ticket offices are more to the west, on the side of Mwanga.

By train: Kigoma station is the end of the line and is as far west as you can ride. Trains go from Kigoma to Tabora, from Thursdays to Sundays.