One of those moments your fingers ache to type… Unlike many other times, I am on a roof top restaurant in Mwanza town the R00ck city as the locals like to call it.

Rock city is Tanzania’s second largest town. The geographical features around this town are quite interesting and breathtaking at the same time. For a moment I almost forgot my immigration woes earlier after a journey of 650km from Nairobi to Mwanza, the border Immigration officer in Isebania Border made me feel like I was in an interrogation room and to some point I just told Him to give me back my passport and go back to Nairobi; talk of catching feelings hehe! The most annoying thing is, he had already stamped it…and it took the intervention of modern coast management for him to let me go, But now I am brighter, no matter what you are going to do in Tanzania just say you are visiting life will be easier that way….

Thank you StellaMaris for making this journey possible and fun. MwanzaTouchDownISelfie

MwanzaTouchdownSnack, cant remember whats the name but it was yummy!

By the time we left the border it was already morning and our journey to Mwanza was wonderful great views of rocky hilly landscapes, traditional homes, farmlands, wildlife, and by the time we were getting into Mwanza there was no warning –Town features- only traffic grew but the housing wasn’t as modern as Nairobi is.

Our host Mr.George, picked us upon arrival at 11:00hrs from the bus station and he gave us a brief history of Mwanza. Our first stop was at Wag Hill rooftop restaurant on Nyerere avenue. The restaurant Gives you a 360degree of Mwanza town. And you could Cleary see houses impressively built on rocks, -wish they would paint them colorfully- a good view of lake Victoria from a distance, the hustles and bustles of Mwanza Town……just like downtown Nairobi they got venders selling their wares

Houses on the rocks in mwanza

Mwanza Town

After our brief rest and a snack we departed for Wag hill lodge with a city center tour, I could see lots of similarity with other towns in east Africa, things beyond the Swahili language.

There are quite a number of historical sites and monuments to visit in Mwanza e.g The Bujora museum which showcases the culture of the biggest tribe in Tanzania the Sukuma People, Kageye Historical site ETC But I enjoyed the view of Bismarck Rock on the shores of Lake Victoria massive granite rock right in the city. It attracts lots of interests from those new here and a lot of myths surround this rock. For a moment you might think that this naturally arranged rocks can fall off by merely pushing them with your fingers but they are solid and they have been soo for centuries.

Bismarck-rocks, named after the most famous German Chancellor in the days prior to the World Wars, who served his Kaiser at a time when the notorious Berlin Conference, which divided Africa and Africans into colonial possessions, created boundaries over which modern African countries today still are in dispute.

When in Mwanza you may also want to explore more and head to Ukerewe Island and Rubondo home of a national park with diverse natural attractions, rich in birds and a wonderful beach, Historical museums of Halwego Handebezyo in Ukerewe.

Our Journey from the city to Waghill Lodge, which was going to be our home took approximately 30mins. A cinnamon collection lodge. The lodge lies on southern Peninsula Of lake Victoria amidst lots of kopjes. Lake Victoria is nearly 69,000sqKM, it borders Kenya, Uganda and more than half of it is in Tanzania. It looks quite massive… yet well controlled by this massive landscape of kopjes all around.

On arrival at Waghill we were warmly welcomed and escorted to our rooms to freshen up before going for a late lunch. But the beauty and uniqueness of this property re-energized us such that you just wanted to be out there, its built in a way it doesn’t interfere with the natural surroundings yet at the same time giving you the maximum and the most breath taking views of the lake and lands and islands beyond.

The sunrise and sunsets are wonderfully captured…you can’t afford to miss this and if possible take the nature trails from the lodge to the hill top for a bird’s eye view. The lodge has two natural Harbors which have become breeding grounds for some of the largest tilapia one can find anywhere in the world, The scenary in this part of the lake has breathtaking granite rock structures that appear to defy Gravity. The lodge in itself is a full package as everything is well thought of. The tented rooms and The cottages are constructed in a way you enjoy total privacy and serenity of the place without interfering with the breathtaking views of this location. All rooms are self contained and elegantly furnished. The foot paths also done in a way they mix and blend in with nature. There are quite a number of activities one can enjoy while there like Swimming, Nature walks, Paint Balling, Horse riding, boat rides, fishing, kayacking etc Even if you stay here for a week you still won’t get bored and you can still enjoy sometime at their spa or swing your troubles away while enjoying the lake-views.

The lodge also Has a four bedroomed self-catering Villa, fully equipped, luxuriously furnished and with an exclusive swimming pool. Great for private functions or family getaways

My time here felt soo short… would have loved to extend but like they say every good thing must come to an end. It was lovely to re-connect with the general manager Mr.Stanley Morley having interacted with him during hospitality forums in Kenya and with a worldclass experience, I have confidence in Him that Waghill as a brand will continue to raise. The meals at waghill were mouthwatering complements to the chef, and to all the staff at Waghill, Thank you for your hospitality and great service. This is one lodge will keep watch and continue to recommend.

For those who would wish to travel to Mwanza its easily accessible either by road or By air through Mwanza Airport. The lodge is perfect for family getaway, a honey moon package, solo trips and for anyone who likes luxury and exclusivity. Its perfectly located in away you can end a safari from Serengeti or even a day trip before departing Tanzania.

#ThumbsUpWagHill.

Christmas Package to Mwanza.

WAGHILL lodge and Spa.