Getting to Mwanza

 

Getting to Africa

 

Most volunteers will arrive by air and should make for Nairobi (Kenya) or Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).   Always check fares to Nairobi (NBO) since it is a much busier airport, competition has forced prices downwards and, if travelling on to Mwanza by road, has the shortest travel time.   Most countries have companies which will search out the cheapest air fares and provide information on alternative carriers.   In recent times KLM has provided the cheapest flights from the UK and Europe.   It operates two flights a day via Amsterdam and has an excellent website for enquiries and bookings.   To look at other airlines try Kayak, STA or Travelbag.

 

Tanzania has a second international airport at Kilimanjaro.   However, flights there tend to be more limited and expensive.

 

From Nairobi/Dar es Salaam to Mwanza

 

Travel from both arrival points to Mwanza can be by air or coach.   Air is much faster and also much more expensive due to lack of competition.

 

Daily flights from Nairobi and Dar es Salaam to Mwanza are provided by Precision Air, a small but reliable airline with a good record of timekeeping.   Air Tanzania's flights are temporarily suspended.  

 

The recommended coach service from both Nairobi and Dar es Salaam is Akamba, which has replaced, at least for the time being, the service provided by Scandinavia Express.   Because there is no direct tarmaced road between Dar es Salaam and Mwanza, the bus travels via Nairobi.   The journey time is 13 hours from Dar to Nairobi and a further 13 hours from Nairobi to Mwanza.  

 

There are other coach services which travel directly to Mwanza.   However, the road quality is poor for part of the journey and bus maintenance standards cannot be relied on, leading to many accidents.

 

The twice weekly Dar es Salaam to Mwanza train service is presently suspended.

 

 

Visas

 

Nationals of most western countries are required to have visas to enter Tanzania.   Costs vary and you should check on the website of the Tanzania High Commission or Embassy in your home country.  These should be obtained before leaving home although it is possible to get them at the border crossing.   Tourist visas last for 3 months only, beginning on the date of issue.   These visas do not permit working.   Since volunteering is regarded as working, volunteers are required to get a work permit on arrival in Mwanza.

 

Those arriving at Nairobi airport and travelling on immediately by air to Mwanza do not require a visa for Kenya.   Those travelling by coach require a Kenya transit visa.   This can be obtained at Nairobi airport or, if you wish to avoid queueing in Nairobi, prior to departure from the Kenya High Commission or Embassy in your home country.   It covers you for your return journey into Kenya from Tanzania.  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

      Climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

 

A number of volunteers have ended their time in Tanzania by climbing Mount Kili, the highest mountain in Africa at 5,895m (19,335 ft).  Getting to the top involves a minimum trek of 4 days - 3 days up and 1 day down.   Climbers need to be fit but no mountaineering is involved.   Longer treks are available.    A number of operators provide treks, which include porters for carrying food and other necessities.   Entry to the Kilimanjaro National Park is expensive and this is reflected in operators' prices.   Reputable operators charge around £550 (US$1,100) which include hotel rooms in Moshi before and after the trek.   Moshi is reached from Mwanza by Precision Air to Kilimanjaro airport or by the Mwanza/Dar Akamba coach  service.