Speke Bay Lodge is located on
the south-eastern shore of Lake Victoria in Tanzania,
East Africa. It is 15 kilometres from the Serengeti
National Park, and 125 kilometres north of Mwanza. Speke
Bay is part of Speke Gulf, named after the famous explorer
John Hanning Speke, who, in 1858, discovered Lake Victoria
to be the source of the Nile. Embraced by savannah,
the Lodge looks like a small village, stretched out
along the shores of the lake. The main buildings and
luxury accommodation are round in form, built to perfection,
painted white and thatched with a grass roof in the
traditional style of the local tribe, the Sukuma. Since
the Lodge is outside but close to the Serengeti National
Park, it is the ideal place to start or end your safari,
or relax during your travels. Excursions in boats and
on mountain bikes are offered, so you can truly experience
Africa; you can fish from the beach for Tilapia, go
out in a boat to catch Nile perch, or wander around
on the Lodge's 100 hectares of savannah, looking for
birds.
Bungalows
All eight bungalows are situated along
the shore of the lake. Each bungalow is a separate structure
designed to ensure your privacy. The roofs are thatched
with a thick layer of grass, providing excellent insulation.
The custom-made furniture in solid Mkola wood adds to
the warm and elegant atmosphere. An entrance hall gives
access to a bathroom and a spacious main room. This
room has a sleeping area with a large lockable cupboard
(for your clothes and valuables) and a writing table.
The sitting area has a huge French window opening on
to a bougainvillaea- and passionflower- shaded veranda
where your breakfast can be served. Each bungalow has
a loft with two twin beds, making them suitable for
families with children. The bathroom has a large table
with a build-in basin, a spacious shower and a hygienic
wall mounted toilet. All the appliances and fittings
are the best on the market. For hot water solar panels
are used, but thermostat steered electrical elements
have been installed, for use on cloudy days. The water
system is state of the art, with a large sand filter,
UV-treatment, and Ozone-injection. Bottled drinking
water is available. Tents The tented camp consists of
nine tents, each covered by a thatched roof, which also
creates a private and shady sitting area. The tents
are fully furnished and contain two beds; hot showers
and toilets are close-by. CampingFor tour-groups on
a camping safari, a natural site is reserved.
Alternatively there is the option of using the tented
camp. The owners reserve the right to keep the numbers
small, so as not to endanger the high standards of the
camp. Tailor made activities can be organised if the
groups stay at least two nights. Tour operators can
contact the Lodge for more details.
Excursion by local canoe
You will be picked up in a colourful canoe
at the Lodge's beach by fishermen and brought to Mwaburugu,
their village. You may explore the village on foot before
they bring you back, singing their rhythmic melodies
while they row. Your guide tells you about the different
methods of fishing, the way of life in the village and
the birds you see on the way. This trip is only scheduled
mornings, when the lake is calm and the fishermen bring
in their overnight catch. Each canoe can carry four
persons.
Fishing
You can fish from the beach or from a
rowing boat for tilapia, catfish, barbel or small fish
like the cichlids. Equipment is for hire at the Lodge.
Lake Victoria is famous for its unique population of
"furu" (cichlids), which seems to be recovering, after
it was threatened with extinction by the Nile perch.
These chiclids are very colourful and are often kept
in aquaria. The Nile perch was introduced in the lake
somewhere around 1960 and flourished. On one side it
was an ecological disaster, but on the other side the
Nile perch was baptised "Mkombozi" (Saviour) by the
local Sukuma tribe. Now there is a lively fish trade
in Nile perch with a lot of factories that export to
Europe.
Bird watching
Over 150 species of bush, swamp and water
birds live on the Lodge's 100 hectares of savannah.
African Fish Eagles have a nest in a tree next to the
lounge. You can frequently see them skim the lake and
catch fish. You are free to roam around the extensive
gardens or use a boat to get close to the reeds for
better observation. Many birds are indigenous to this
area and will not be seen in the Serengeti. Among
them: swamp flycatcher, red-chested sunbird, Northern
brown-throated weaver, yellow-backed weaver, black-headed
gonolek and blue-headed coucal. You can take your time,
without being disturbed, and there is no danger from
animals. The Lodge keeps a bird list, and co-operates
with the Tanzania Bird Atlas, by surveying the lake
area. Guided walks are organised on request.
NB:Prices and availability are subject
to revision without prior notice owing to currency,
tax, levy and seasonal fluctuations. We also offer safari,
car rentals and flight bookings which we can organise
for you with your hotel/lodge enquiry www.roamingafricasafaris.com.
Please Enquire about prices
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Speke
Bay Lodge Lake Victoria Booking |
