Kagera Tour - Explore Tanzania

Kagera region is situated in the northwestern corner of Tanzania. The regional capital is Bukoba town. Kagera region shares borders with Uganda to the North, Rwanda and Burundi to the West, the Kigoma and Mwanza regions to the South and Lake Victoria to the East. Kagera region lies just South of the equator between 1,00 and 2,45 degrees South latitudes. Longitudinally it lies between 30,25 and 32,40 degrees East of Greenwich. This includes a large part of the waters of Lake Victoria. Kagera region covers a total area of 40,838 sq. km. Out of the total area, 28,953 sq. km. is land and 11,885 sq. km. is covered by waters of Lake Victoria and other water masses such as Lakes Ikimba, Burigi, Ngono and Kagera rivers. Kagera region is Tanzania’s 15th largest region and accounts for approximately 3.2% of the total 883,749 sq. km. land area of Tanzania. Kagera lies at 3,750 feet above sea level. It has reasonably fertile old soils.

Natural history
For five centuries Kagera Region had nine different Kingdoms and a highly hierarchical society. It was during then that coffee was introduced as a cash crop and raw bananas a staple food. The ethnical Kings lived in elaborate palaces and were highly respected because they were thought to have direct link to God for power and the glory. The demise of the nine kingdoms, namely Kihanja, Karagwe, Kiziba, Misenye, Bugabo, Kyamtwara, Ihangiro, Bukara and Biharamulo came soon after Tanzania gained independence in 1961 because they had no historical roots.

The regimes had been blended by the Germans who colonized Tanganyika (the fore runner to Tanzania) in 1890- 1919. Kagera region is also considered as the first site of Lutheran missionaries settlement. Roman Catholic and other denominations also now enjoy a large following in the region, which is evidenced by the physical presence of the impressive cathedrals, mosques, jamats and churches found in and across the region.

Kagera is one of the loveliest and coolest parts of Tanzania given its staggering scenic beauty, variety of nature, friendly inhabitants and strong cultural history

Bicycle and Walking Tours
The best way to discover and sample the richness in the local culture is on to trek by foot or hop by bicycle. It would provide an opportunity mix with the natives as they go about with their daily social and economic activities. Tour guides fluent in English were available to take around Bukoba and its suburbs. Listen to the narrations they would give you as meet the natives. Take a tour to the local market, an orphanage centre, the Kagera Museum and BUDAP, a traditional drum making factory run by people with disabilities. View the setting of the town and other places of interest while on a bicycle ride. Affordable tour-packages are provided.

Musila Island Boat Safari
Why don’t you follow in the footsteps of Henry Morton Stanley the American journalist-cum explorer to East Africa, and explore the majestic Musila Island? Ferry boat safari across the Island from the sands of the spice beach hotels is available for a -2- minute of exhilarating sailing on Lake Victoria! As your Ferry boat anchors and you disembark, you will pass through small fishing village soaking up the atmosphere of community life. You will then walk to the island summit and marvel at the vast expanse of the Lake, whilst watching and listening to the flock of birds whose presence enhances the panoramic view!

Go Fishing with Local Fishermen
Experience the lifestyle of the native fishermen by joining them on a fishing tour. You fish from a small wooden canoe and try to see who can make a big catch of the delicious Tilapia or the Nile perch. At the end of the day someone will prepare your catch for you so you can enjoy the fresh fish of Lake Victoria at dinner.

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. 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 & more recently by soldiers in the Idd Amin war. No visit is complete without crouching down and passing through such a marvelous natural creation.

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? This tour can be customized or combined with other tours such as Musila Island or Rubale forest. Just ask!

Rural agricultural practices & rural life
This is a very broad area encompassing the full culture of the people of this land. Rights of passage are very elaborate and people are closely knit in grief and in joy. Kagera Region’s inhabitants are mostly peasants tending small patches of land. Agriculture in rural regions mainly involves cultivation of banana plants, beans, maize and root plants as well as cash crops like coffee, cotton, sugar – cane, tea and vanilla. Some people a few cows for milk and manure. People are keeping some goats and chicken. Fishing villages Dotted along the shores of Lake Victoria are numerous fishing villages. Most of the fishermen are local and thus they use traditional technology. The most famous villages near Bukoba Town are Igabiro fishing village in Bugabo, Musila Island, Kifungwi and Nyamukazi.

Alternative therapy
Kagera Region is well known for skilled its herbalists that offer alterative therapy. The Region has huge variety of plants used for the healing of humans, livestock and treating crop plants. Among famous medicinal trees is the “Muarobaini” which treats over 40 diseases. In Bukoba, a group of 5 professionals have initiated a garden to preserve and conserve traditional medicinal plants of Kagera. The project located 5 kilometres from Bukoba Town center is named LAVIBOGAM (Lake Victoria Botanical Garden of Medicinal plants).

Kyamunene Pine Forest
This is not a natural/traditional rainforest, but an artificial one. A man made pine tree forest in which two sites each with its own blend of attractions are located. They include:

Kyamunene Caves
It was in these caves where natives would seek shelter against the brutal raids and incursions by Idi Amin soldiers during the 1978/79 Kagera salient war. Idi Amini ruled Uganda with an iron fi st for nearly ten years until in 1979 when he was effectively ejected by the exiled liberation forces of Uganda with the support from the Tanzanian armed forces.

Kyamunene waterfalls
Deep in this man made forest there are waterfalls which carry the name of the forest. The falls are ideal for viewers and one would feel at home in the real natural setting in a man-made jungle. Huge presence of birdlife and butterfl ies exist in and around the Kyamunene waterfalls.

Itawa Iron Works
This is rundown smothery and iron fabrication site that has existed from time immemorial. In this road-side factory, craftsmen engage in moulding tools such as hoes, spears, and knives for small farm holders and for domestic use in general.

Businde Viewpoint
This is high-ground situated along the shores of Lake Victoria. It can be easily climbed and once on the top and with a pair of binoculars, a visit can enjoy the scenic view of Bukoba town, its rich green environs, and the yawning farmland of banana and coffee plantations.

Igurubi Viewpoint
This is also another high ground which is located deep in the heart of the (Bukoba) town. Huge boulders are patched on the knoll and it can be easily scaled up and down with a guide or without one. It can also serve as viewing point to visitors.

Akiba Forests
The forest is located at Murongo, some few hours drive from Bukoba town. The forest has huge existence of wildlife. It is ideal for hunting tourism and photo-tourism.

Kagera waterfalls at Murongo
Formerly used for electricity generation, the Falls can provide spectacular viewing as its water spreads out like an open dam whose banks has burst. The Falls are located on Uganda-Tanzania boarder. Visitors or tourists can easily reach them through the Uganda border entry-point. It is also nice for tented campsites and lodges.

Mutagata hot spring
The source of the hot spring is located deep in the Mutagata rainforest. From the main source of the spring, there are other sources of hot water whose temperature is between 60c and 70C degrees. The water from these sources is used for healing as an alternative therapy. A good number of visitors visit the site seeking cure over a number of health disorders such as asthma, fractured bones, and skin complications. The site if fully developed it could cater for medical tourism, picnics and any other leisure activities.

Three Hills
At the border of Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda stands three hill peaks through which the Kagera river negotiates its way virtually creating the border which separate the three neighbour countries north west of the Tanzanian commercial capital Dar es Salaam. The hills are better known in Kiswahili as mafi ga matatu, the traditional stones on which most Tanzanian rural communities would use as cooking stoves. Each hill is located in three different villages that also make part of the tripartite border. A hill in Tanzania is located at a border village of Kasange, in Rwanda it is in Kamudugudu while in Burundi the hill is at Mukinanira. Visitors to this site are overwhelmed by the area scenery which is also forms part of the Kagera River panorama.

Water falls at Mugana and Rusumo

Rusumo mass grave site
This is a historical site in which over 917 bodies of the 1994 Rwanda genocide victims were buried. The cemetery is located a few metres from the Isaka road in Rusumo. A good number of visitors make pilgrimages at the site to bear witness to some of the worst crimes against humanity of the recent times.

Kagera War
Tanzania,s only war with Uganda during the dictatorship of Iddi Amin Dada in late 1970's. After a certain period of Iddi Amin threats to take Kagera to his country Uganda. The damage which was done in Kagera is still evident today!

Rock and cave paintings
A visitor to Nshamba and Kashasha divisions, 80 kilometres south of Bukoba town centre will witness some of the rare rock and caves paintings, presumably, unknown to foreign visitors and majority Tanzanians. The paintings depict presence of early life of human activities in the two locations. So far, there is scant information on the paintings. The paintings similar to the current day graffiti make an interesting discovery to some of the hidden natural attractions available in the Tanzanian remote villages.

Germans WW1 cemetery
The site of the cemetery is adjacent to regional administrative block. The existence of the war-graves reveals the remains of the 1880s historical scramble for the colonies in Africa. The site draws a number of visitors, some of them journalists and researchers.

A visit to SHRINE
Down town Bukoba, there is a revered site, the shrine of Nyakijoga where thousands of the christians from all faiths from a cross the globe converge for the annual pilgrimage. The Nyakijoga Shrine is also better known as the Lourdes of Africa, a monika given to it in comparison to the Lourdes of France. Nyakijoga Shrine (pictured) is known for its miracle powers of the healing waters which the faithful believe to have been blessed in the name of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ. The Roman Catholic, Bukoba, is the custodian of the shrine. It is a site worth of visiting, while in Bukoba to enliven your Christianity faith. The Lourdes of Africa shrine is the first religious site ever built in the East Africa.

Mugana Parish
The Parish was founded in 1905 by the Missionaries of Africa, commonly known as the White Fathers. Its administration changed hands in about 1948 when the White Fathers, formally handed it over to the local clergy.
In 1952, Mugana (Parish) with four others, formed the new Vicariate of Lower Kagera, but in few years, it was renamed Rutabo Diocese under Bishop Laurean Rugambwa. In 1960 when Rugambwa was created Cardinal, they (the parishes) joined the Bukoba Diocese.

Transportation to Kagera can be by bus, by water and by Air

 

ATTRACTIONS

• Serengeti Park
• Northern Circuit Tour
• Saanane Island Park
• Rubondo Island Park
• Beaches
• Rocks Tourism
• Igogo Caves
• City Tour
• Bujora Museum
• Gunzert House
• Markets & Shopping
• Adventure Tourism
• Kageye Historical site
• Volunteer Tourism
• Sporting Tourism
• Investment Opportunities
• Butiama Museum
• Ukerewe Tourism
• Livestock Tourism
• Religion Tourism
• Slums Tourism
• Historical Sites
• Events Tourism
• Farming
• Transportation Adventure
• Natural Remedies
• Education Tourism
• Eating Tourism
• African Lifestyle
• Sengerema
• Misungwi G.R.
• Kagera Tourism
• Kagera Culture
• Mara Culture
• Mara Touring
• Geita Tourism
• Rwanda and Burundi
• Visit Uganda

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