The Lake Victoria circuit runs out of Mwanza, on the southern shore of the largest lake in Africa, and it is the least travelled of Tanzania's safari regions. Three national parks sit within reach of the city: a forested island where chimpanzees were released back into the wild, a rocky island park inside Mwanza itself, and a vast, barely-visited wilderness of lakes and miombo woodland to the west.
It suits travellers who have already done the classic circuits and want water-based safaris, exceptional birding and genuine solitude. Mwanza connects by daily flight to Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti, which makes the circuit an easy extension rather than a separate trip.
Mwanza, with daily flights from Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti.
June to September for dry, sunny weather and easier forest trails.
Exceptional year-round; the wet season brings migrants, flowers and butterflies.
Boat transfers to the island parks; road access to Burigi-Chato.
Three national parks within reach of Mwanza, none of which sees meaningful visitor numbers.
Introductory text on this page was written for the site; the source document's Lake Victoria section carried the Southern Circuit description in error.
This part of the country has two rainfall peaks, in November and December and again in March and April, with dry, settled weather from June to September. Temperatures stay pleasant, with cool nights and warm days.
The dry months are best for chimpanzee trekking on Rubondo, when the forest paths are firm, and for game viewing in Burigi-Chato, when thinner vegetation opens up the sightlines. The wet season is harder going underfoot but far better for birds, flowers and butterflies.
An easy extension to a northern circuit safari, and unlike anywhere else in Tanzania. Tell us how long you have.
Ask a Local Expert
