Ferries route

Mwanza → Ukerewe Island (Nansio)

Africa's largest lake, crossed the local way.

MV Serengeti (Temsa Marine)
3-4 hours
$3-10

The MV Serengeti plies Lake Victoria between Mwanza, Tanzania's second city, and Nansio port on Ukerewe - the lake's largest island, an hour's further drive from rubber-stamp villages and rocky viewpoints. This is a working boat serving island communities, not a cruise: deck space is shared with sacks of maize, bicycles and families heading home. For travellers with a spare day around a Mwanza stay it is one of the region's most rewarding slow journeys, and Ukerewe's quiet roads and canoe fishermen feel a world from the safari circuit.

Operator: MV Serengeti (Temsa Marine)
Frequency: Most days (1 departure)
Typical duration: 3-4 hours
Price range: $3-10
Luggage: Pay per bag, a few thousand shillings each

Service classes

Deck

On the route

Every image is license-verified for commercial reuse; photographers are credited where the license requires it.

Mwanza → Ukerewe Island (Nansio) — photograph 2 — Ahmed Bates, via Pexels

Mwanza → Ukerewe Island (Nansio) — photograph 3 — George John, via Pexels

Mwanza → Ukerewe Island (Nansio) — photograph 4 — Ahmed Bates, via Pexels

Mwanza → Ukerewe Island (Nansio) — photograph 5 — Edouard MIHIGO, via Pexels

Mwanza → Ukerewe Island (Nansio) — photograph 6 — Amani Allan, via Pexels

Mwanza → Ukerewe Island (Nansio) — photograph 7 — Nabil Naidu, via Pexels

Booking information

Buy tickets at the Mwanza South (Kirumba) pier on the morning of departure; there is no online booking. First-come seating - arrive an hour early with your own water and snacks.

Good to know

Departure times shift with the cargo schedule; confirm at the pier the day before. Basic seating only - a cushion and a sun hat earn their place. The return usually leaves Nansio the same afternoon.

Times and fares are curated guidelines, not a live timetable. Always confirm before you travel.

Continue the journey

Other ferries routes

Mwanza → Ukerewe Island (Nansio)

Service classes

On the route

Booking information

Good to know

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