The second-largest city in Tanzania, on Lake Victoria, Mwanza became the headquarters of the United Nations' relief efforts for Rwandan refugees during the genocide. It doesn't have much in the way of attractions, except for the lake—you can relax on the beach, but don't even think of stepping in the water; the parasite bilharzia is rife. Mwanza is most often visited by tourists as a day trip from the Serengeti's western corridor, which is about a two-hour drive away. It is surrounded by granite rocks, and the approach is quite spectacular as the road tunnels through some of these giant boulders. Also in the region are many plantations growing tea, coffee and fresh produce. The region received an economic boost when the large Bulyanhula Goldmine opened in 2001. Now serviced by regular flights and a great tented camp, Rubondo Island National Park is the most important tourist attraction on Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater body. In addition to introduced populations of chimpanzee, colobus monkey, elephant and giraffe, the forested island is an important stronghold for the sitatunga, a localized swamp-dwelling antelope, and the birdlife is fantastic. 530 mi/850 km northwest of Dar es Salaam.
