Shipping bikes across Lake Victoria from TZ to Uganda?
 

Has anyone taken a commercial boat from Mwanza up to Uganda?

I'm hiring a bike in Uganda, so I have to return the bike there at the end of the trip. It would allow me a few more days in TZ if I could jump on a boat at Mwanza and land in Jinja. I realise there's a ferry to Bukoba but a commercial boat up to Uganda would save much more time.

Just wondering if anyone's done it. Otherwise, I'll need to wander round the docks in Mwanza, which could be interesting.

Pike

Well, I tramped up and down the docks at Mwanza looking for business (!) but cargo vessels across Lake Victoria seem to be too infrequent and indirect or be very useful. A nice romantic idea and cool if it works out when you rock up but I chose to ride up through Kenya.
When I get back to Kampala, I'll probably rent a pedalo just to say I've been on LV

Cheers

Capt Pugwash

Yes, there are boats going over lake victoria and they also can take vehicles and motorbikes ! I´ve been to the port in Kampala ( don´t remember exactly which one but for you asking around will be a 1 hr job and you find the place ) and there was one boat leaving for Mwanza the next day. How frequently they go I don´t know but as trade between the countrys is going on regularly you won´t have problems.

I guess if you´re on a tight timetable its tricky but with a couple of days to organise everything is possible in Africa ! ;-)

greetz,
Chris

Chris

Yes, I think you're right. If I had stayed in Mwanza for a couple of days, I'm sure I could have found a boat but I had flights booked back from Kampala, so I rode around the lake to be certain.

Mind you, if I had taken a boat from Mwanza, I wouldn't have gone to Musoma which was probably my best night of the trip. :D

Cheers

Pike