MV Victoria docked in MwanzaThe MV Victoria sails to Bukoba on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Embarkation begins at 7.30pm for a 9pm departure. Current prices are 1st class/2nd class (sleeper)/2nd class (seat)/3rd class Tsh30,600/Tsh20,600/ Tsh17,100/Tsh15600 for the approximate nine hour crossing.
Having splashed the cash for a first class ticket, i share a cabin with the jovial and enormously fat Malekela, a young accountant/civil servant. He completely fills the cabin and it's somewhat embarrassing to walk past him.
The steamer leaves on time and i enjoy a quality dinner of samosas soon after.
Arriving rather bleary eyed at around 5.20am, Malekela insists on taking me in his taxi to the New Upendo Lodge a couple of kilometres from the dock and just outside the town centre.
