SHOPPING IN BUKOBA

Market (Soko Kuu) The Bukoba market is fairly large and in the centre of town. There are sections for fruits, vegetables, matoke, grains, meat, fish, clothing, and assorted items both in and around the covered market area. Most food items are sold by the kilogram. Prices for some goods are marked, but most prices are negotiable and you should feel free to bargain. (You may get a lower price or discount if you ask in Kiswahili, smile, visit the same vendor frequently, buy large quantities, etc.). Some fruits and vegetables are easy to find in Bukoba (cucumbers, potatoes, watermelons) all organically grown and non genetically modified crops. Supermarkets Blue Shop - Western-type shop, sells a variety of products. It is one of the few places where brown flour can be found. Cash & Carry - Many packaged western goods, including bread and many types of biscuits and soft drinks. Customers themselves select items from shelves like in most Western supermarkets. Open daily until 9:00 pm, closed during lunch (about 1 to 2:30). Cosmopolitan Provision Store ("Mama Cosmo") - Many western goods, including two types of cheese and many types of beer by the case and wine. You must ask for each item. Open daily 8.30 am – 6.00 pm (closes for lunch briefly in non hours. Discount Shoppers - Across the street from the taxi stand. Fido Dido Supermarket - Many packaged and some refrigerated western goods, including bread and many types of biscuits and soft drinks. Customers themselves select items from shelves like in most Western supermarkets. Open Monday to Saturday 8.30 am until 8:00 pm, Sunday between 10.00 am – 1.00 pm. Other Food Stores Mali Juice - Next to the Cyber Centre, sells crates of Juice (24 bottles) for Tsh 6,000 (Tsh 5,000 deposit required for crate). Juice comes in a variety of flavors including Machenza, Machungwa, Nanasi, Limau, Matunda, and Maembe. MAYAWA - (Maendeleo ya Wakulima), Mayawa is a farmers project, assisting farmers in Bukoba Rural District to improve their situation. The project advises farmers of improved farming techniques. One of its key goods is vanilla, which Mayawa buys from farmers. The project's shop can be found opposite the Lutheran Catheral and sells fresh oyster mushrooms (500g = Tsh 1,000) and vegetable seeds. Office Supplies Benny Bazaar - Many office supplies including stationery and computer supplies such as diskettes and ink cartridges. Bukoba Printer Four ways printing and stationeries Kagera General Traders - Many office supplies including stationery, art supplies and diskettes. On the main street across from the market. Migini Secretarial Services (SHABUKA) - One office is across from the market, and another is near the Lake Hotel. Sells many basic office supplies. Sokwara Printers Zahir Secretarial service Books Bukoba Public Library - Near the NBC bank. Many books in English and Swahili, though many are old and musty. Good selection of African history and literature. To borrow books you need to become a member for about 5000/=. ELCT Bookstore - Located in town near the Ismaili mosque. A variety of stationery, English and Swahili school books, office supplies and local handicrafts. Roman Catholic (Mama wa Mkombozi) Bookstore - On Sokoine Street near the Net Pharmacy. Computer Supplies and Services Bukoba Cyber Centre - Repairs computers and sells computers and computer supplies, including floppy, CD-R and Zip disks, modems, printer cartridges, etc. Danico - Sells office machines, computers and computer supplies and conducts inexpensive computer training. Has branches in Mwanza, Dar and Arusha. Other computer training centres – Dan Computer (near ELCT), Bukoba Computer Centre near the post office (run by Hussein of the Cyber Centre), Scientific Business Training Centre near the bus stand, and Computer Training Centre behind the market. Film and photo processing Shelui photo studio juxtaposed to Kagera studio a few meters from the second at the bus stand near West End round about. Kagera Photo Studio (near Benny Bazaar) Ponny photo studio (on the same road next to Danico) New studio (along Kashozi road near Mutta Sawmills) Petrol stations There are 6 petrol stations in the town. One opposite the ELCT bookshop, on Kashozi Road near DANICO, one near Kanoni River on the road to Muleba, one near the West-End restaurant, one on Kashozi road in Kishenge area and one near Mulima garage along Kashozi road as well. These stations sells petrol, diesel, kerosenen and lubricants. Communications Celtel, Mobitel and Vodacom networks operate in Bukoba. Tanzania Telecommunications Company, Ltd. (TTCL) - Near the Nyumba ya Vijana and Red Cross (and has a tall tower). International phone calls from one of two phone lines. A fax to Europe is about 3500/= per page. Less busy in the late afternoon and evenings. The Post office is near the NBC bank. It offers all basic postal services, you can rent your own post office box there (Tsh 10,000 a year, plus a key deposit), send parcels and send money (by EMS or Western Union Money Transfer) Internet services Post office internet café : has eight modern computers with USB and CD burners (Tsh 600 per hour, Monday – Friday 8 am and 8pm hours, Saturday 8 am – 6 pm, Sunday 10.30 am – 4 pm) Bukoba Cyber Centre operates two internet cafes one in the town centre (you can also connect your laptop) and one internet café can be found opposite the CRDB bank (Tsh 500 per hour, Monday – Saturday 9 am – 8 pm, closed on Sunday). Cyber Centre also runs the Bukoba Online ISP. ELCT Conference Centre has two computers with internet (using Bukoba Online, 1,000 an hour). ZamZam Youth Friendly centre offers internet for Tsh 500 per hour. Tanzania Telecommunications Company, Ltd. (TTCL) - Near the Nyumba ya Vijana and Red Cross (and has a tall tower). International phone calls from one of two phone lines. A fax to Europe is about 3500/= per page. Less busy in the late afternoon and evenings. The Post office is near the NBC bank. It offers all basic postal services, you can rent your own post office box there (Tsh 10,000 a year, plus a key deposit), send parcels and send money (by EMS or Western Union Money Transfer) Sporting facilities The Bukoba Club has tennis, snooker, table tennis and darts. Indians play cricket on the open grassy area near the Bukoba Club sometimes. The Kaitaba Stadium hosts football matches of Kagera Sugar and other events including concerts and the annual celebrations of Nane Nane (August 8, Farmers' Day). The Red Cross has a basketball court and the adjacent Nyumba ya Vijana has volleyball net. Walkgard Hotel has a swimming pool, Tsh 2,500 for a day pass. Zamzam Youth Friendly Centre – Newly established. has a basketball court and other in door sporting facilities.

TOURISM IN BUKOBA

The Tourist Center Bukoba, Kiroyera Tours offers several tours in Kagera. Kagera Museum The chance to see local tools, heritage and most impressively a fine collection of professional wildlife photography by Dick Persson. A fabulous new addition to the profile of Bukoba... Don't miss it! PRICE: $2 per person Musila Island Follow in the footsteps of Henry Morton Stanley, the famous historical visitor to East Africa, and explore the majestic Musila Island. Our boat safari across to the Island from the sands of the Spice Beach Motel provides you with 20 minutes of exhilarating sailing on Lake Victoria! Upon arrival we pass through the small fishing village soaking up the atmosphere of community life. We then walk to the island summit and marvel at the vast expanse of the Lake, whilst watching & listening to the mass array of birds whose presence is the only intrusion upon the panoramic view! Your English speaking guide will provide commentary along the way before we proceed back to the boat to gain the water level perspective as we circumnavigate the island before heading back for the mainland. Note: Lifejackets are provided PRICE: $7 per person, minimum 5 persons. Rubale Forest Waterfalls & Cave Enter the enchanting Rubale forest and succumb to its charms as you relax and enjoy the wonder of nature. After a gentle walk we arrive at the Kyamunene River Waterfalls, where, if desired one can take a dip or simply rest! From here we then walk for a few minutes, shaded by the tree canopy, and arrive at the intriguing U-shaped cave. Now your imagination will move into overdrive as you hear tales of the use of the cave by warriors in the ancient tribal wars & by more recently by soldiers in the Idd Amin war! No visit is complete without crouching down and passing through such a marvelous natural creation. Should you wish arrangements for lunch here can be made (extra charge-please state at time of booking). PRICE: $6 per person plus transport costs only at $25 Karobela or Kabaranda Beach If you are a fan of hiking, culture and panoramas then this is for you. Wander through banana plantations, forest & wild grasses on the local paths before arriving at an unrivalled viewpoint across Lake Victoria. Then, with your guide leading the way, climb down from your elevated position and make your way to a gloriously secluded beach. Rest here and watch the birds or the local fisher folk perform their daily activities! If arrangements are made in advance why not join them in their traditional canoes and try to catch your supper? Then return on foot to the vehicle. This tour can be customized or combined with other tours such as Musila Island or Rubale forest. Just ask! PRICE: from $7 per person plus transport costs of $30 Bicycle Tours View the attractive setting of the town and the places of interest by taking a relaxing bike ride. Our guides will set a gentle pace and bring the town to life with their commentary. There are 3 separate bicycle tours which provide varying levels of duration, distance & physical exertion! PRICE: from $7 per person Walking Tours View the attractive setting of Bukoba by taking a guided walking tour. Our experienced English-speaking guides will bring Kagera to life with their commentary. There are different tours providing varying levels of duration, distance & physical exertion. PRICE: from $4 per person Bahaya Culture The indigenous Haya people of this area invite you to the centre of the ancient Kiziba kingdom at Gera. Here you can sample local foods, view tribal dancing and listen to the music of these people. PRICE: from $20 per person, plus transport $35 For those of a more adventurous nature why not spend time with these hospitable people and learn first hand how to 'Cook Bahaya food” PRICE: fr $30 per person + transport $35 Iron Works The Haya people were among the first in East Africa to understand how to use the naturally occurring Iron Ore that is found here. Watch skilled craftsmen ply their trade using traditional methods! PRICE: from $15 per person, plus transport $20 Ancient Rock Paintings & Religious Shrine Possibly Kagera's best-kept secret-we have some rock paintings close to Bukoba and plus one of the first religious shrines built in the whole of East Africa. PRICE: $10 per person plus transport $35 L.A.V.I.B.O.G.A.M. Lake Victoria Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants. The name makes for self explanation but in truth this place is a fabulous project to preserve & protect the traditional plant life and their use within the region. Fascinating. PRICE: $5 per person plus transport $15

WELCOME TO BUKOBA

Bukoba is the capital of Kagera Region of Tanzania. It is situated in the north western corner of the country. Bukoba is an upcoming town with attractive waterside landscape, beside Lake Victoria.

It lies 1 degree south of the equator and is the second largest port of Tanzania. Bukoba is a very eye catching place for the tourists and its location makes it deal for business purpose. Bukoba has sunny climate and warm climate for the major part of the year. It rains in Bukoba from March to May.

The population of Bukoba is about 100,000 people. The major ethnic group happens to be the Bahaya speaking the Ruhaya language. Although most people of the town speak Swahili still the basic English understood in the shops. The chief mode of occupation is agriculture and the major commercial output is coffee. Bukoba is a small town having a bay, sandy beach. There is also a port which has ferry service traveling to and fro Mwanza.

The Jamhuri Road and the Government road are the two major paved streets in Bukoba. The fascinating land of Bukoba is situated between the Ugandan gorillas and Serengeti in Tanzania. The visitors of Bukoba can travel through Entebbe airport in Uganda and then from Entebbe airport there is bus service leading to Bukoba. There are also scheduled flights to Bukoba. The city can be accessed by road from Nairobi or from Kampala. The attractions of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park are within 400km from Bukoba.