Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
For updated information on the sailing schedules for MV
Iringa
and MV
Songea,
ask at
Kyela Commercial, situated just around the corner from Steak Inn Restaurant. There are no
ATMs; the best bet for changing money is with a hotel proprietor or shop owner.
Sleeping & Eating
Kyela Beach Resort
HOTEL $
( 025-254 0152, 0784-232650; kyelaresort@yahoo.com; s/d US$20/30; ) If you
have your own transport, this is a good bet, with simple but pleasant, well-ventilated rooms
(windows on both walls) set around a garden compound and a restaurant. It's about 1.5km
north of town, signposted just off the Tukuyu road.
Matema Beach Hotel
HOTEL $
( 025-254 0158; Tukuyu Rd; s/d from Tsh10,000/15,000; ) This large place, with
its imposing entrance area, seems rather out of place in sleepy Kyela. Rooms are good
value for the price (all with TV and most with net and fan) and there's a restaurant. Staff
can help arrange guides if you're interested in exploring the surrounding area. It's about
500m before the town centre.
Baling'onye Kalebela Guest House
GUESTHOUSE $
(Tukuyu Rd; r Tsh10,000-15,000) Rooms here are basic but clean, with fan, bathroom and
double bed. It's just north of the town centre and about 10 minutes on foot from the bus
stand. There's no food.
Steak Inn Restaurant
TANZANIAN $
(meals Tsh1500) In the town centre, with inexpensive standard fare (though no steaks).
GETTING THERE & AWAY
Minibuses go several times daily from Kyela to Tukuyu (Tsh1500, one hour) and Mbeya
(Tsh3000, two to 2½ hours) from the minibus stand in the town centre, many stopping also
at the Malawi border. Pick-ups run daily between Kyela and Itungi port (Tsh200), in rough
coordination with boat arrivals and departures. For Matema transport, see the Matema sec-
tion.
ITUNGI
Itungi, about 11km southeast of Kyela, is the main port for the Tanzanian Lake Nyasa ferry
service. There is no accommodation, and photography is forbidden. Pick-ups run sporadic-
