Chato-Geita, the birthplace of TZ’s new president

Chato is one of the five regions that form Geita in the north western parts of Tanzania. It is Geita’s administrative center. Chato district was formed around 2005 within the Kagera region it was later transferred to the newly created region of Geita in 2012.

It is a place of birth to the newly elected president of the United Republic of Tanzania, DR. John Magufuli as he was born and raised in this very district. The natives of the area are mainly Sukuma who dominantly depend entirely on subsistence farming for food crops but also commercial farming, even though it is not well developed, and livestock rearing which is a substitute to farming.

Geita is along the shore of the lake Victoria which is one of the greatest tourist attraction in the region as it was named after Queen Victoria by the explorer John Hanning Speke. Lake Victoria is the Africa’s largest lake, the world’s second largest freshwater lake and the largest tropical lake in the world.

In addition, Geita is nearby Mwanza region which has plenty of tourist attractions such as the “Bismarck Rocks”. The rocks are the most interesting rocks located at a bay near Kamanga ferry just in close proximity to the Chinese restaurant. These rocks attracts tourist from within and outside the region thus strengthening the tourism sector.

Moreover, Saanane National Park is also a great tourist attraction in the region. It is located within the city and is the smallest national park according to Tanzania National Park Authority (TANAPA). The park is a home of mammals like impalas, monkeys, wildcats; reptiles like crocodiles, monitor lizards and agama lizards are also dominant in the park.

Also the lake zone regions are more prominent in preserving their cultural tourism. The Sukuma culture promotes its signature Snake dance which is a unique experience to both local and foreign tourists in the region.  Nonetheless, the Sukuma tribe has a very unique dancing and farming style which has been transcended generations.

Accommodation in Chato is not something hard to find, Jovago Tanzania, with the best discounted hotels makes it easier to book comfortable and secure hotels around  lake zone.