|
|
 |
Kigoma is the
major business town and the busiest port on the shore of Lake
Tanganyika; is also the regional capital of western Tanzania. It is a
terminus of the Tanzania Central Railway Line System, built in the 20th
century to transport agricultural goods and laborers from the African
hinterland to the East African Coast
Climate: The hilly nature and the forests surrounding the town have
shaped the tropical climate to a distinct long wet rainy season from
late October to May with short dry spell of 2-3 weeks in January or
February followed by a prolonged dry season. Mean daily temperatures
range between 25°C in December, January to 28°C in September.
Connections: The Tanzania Railways Corporation line runs from Kigoma to
the port of Dar-es-Salaam on the Indian Ocean coast via Tabora and
Dodoma.
Road Services are available to Mwanza, Kagera and Tabora/Nzega, but take
longer to reach Kigoma, as the most roads are graveled and seasonal.
Lake ferries including the MV Liemba sail from Kigoma to Mpulungu in
Zambia at the southern tip of the lake, and a number of other lakeside
towns in Tanzania.
There is daily flight (PrecisionAir) from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma via
Tabora (please check with schedule with us); 2 days in a week from
Kilimanjaro to Kigoma via Dar es Salaam.
Attractions/Tours: It is an overland base for visits to
Lake Tanganyika;
chimpanzee tracking safaris to both
Gombe Stream and
Mahale Mountains
National Parks. Travel from Kigoma to Gombe on a boat takes
approximately 35 minutes to an hour; while Kigoma to Mahale takes 6 to 8
hours depending on the type of boat used and weather and lake conditions
A visit to the small
town of Ujiji, the oldest town in western Tanzania
located about 10 km south of Kigoma town. It was a " slave trade" town
settled by Arab peoples. It is also the place where Burton and Speke
first reached the shore of Lake Tanganyika in 1858 and where Dr.
Livingstone met Stanley in 1871. A monument known as the "Dr.
Livingstone Memorial" was constructed to commemorate the meeting. There
is a former slave route near the market.
|
|
|
|
|
