10 FAQs

1. What is the best season for holidays in Blue Canoe?

Each season holds a particular attraction for those who live here and for our guests. From June to October it is is mainly dry and hot . That is our high season.

In the period from October to February there are many sunny days with regular showers at night and sometimes thunder and lightnings. Our vegetation recovers from the dry season. The rainy season in March, April and May brings along heavy and long rainfalls, which may even affect the conditions of our roads. We usually close our lodge for some weeks in this period.

The day temperatures are between 20 and 35°C throughout the year, the nights are warm.

We live in a most fertile region of Tanzania. Bananas grow the whole year, lemons until August, mangos are delicious from November to January. Ananas, guavas, avocados and a lot more fruits and vegetables are available in several months of the year.2Is it possible to go swimming in the lake?

2. Is it possible to swim in the lake?

Yes, of course and it is great fun. The water has a constant temperature of about 24°C and it is clear and clean. It is only in the rainy season that our nearby rivers may wash grass into the lake thus causing murky water.

The beach is free from plants and the water of the lake is often moved by moderate waves. So there is no danger of getting infected by bilharziosis.

3. Do you recommend holidays with children in Blue Canoe?

We do look forward to kids! There are additional beds available and we are planning big family bungalows for the near future.

The environment and nature invite kids to adventurous trips. Swimming and playing in the lake is really safe, as the water is very shallow for about 15 to 20 meters and it is warm.

The shallow water, the beach and the sand are a huge playground for kids.

4. Are there any dangerous animals around Matema?

In the nearby rivers and swamps there are crocodiles and hippos, which usually hide at daytime and they very rarely show up in the lake.

For safety reasons we advise our guests not to go swimming in the lake at night and to get information about the presence of hippos and crocodiles before crossing the rivers in a kayak.

There are no dangerous spiders in our area. Scorpions are very common in Tanzania but they do not like sand and the cleanliness of our lodge - so don’t worry!

Snakes, mice and rates are driven away by our cats. They love small mammals and even eat poisonous snakes.

5. Is there a risk to get sick with malaria?

Most tourists apply preventative measures before traveling to Tanzania. Matema is a region where Malaria Falciparum is common.

Many people who stay here for a longer time and we ourselves do not take any medicine as a prophylactic measure. The risk of getting infected by malaria in our lodge is indeed very low.

We protect our guests and ourselves by

• using large and secure mosquito nets in all bedrooms.
• taking care that our staff are not infected and cannot spread malaria.
• constructional techniques to avoid breeding grounds.
• attaching great importance to cleanliness and a high standard of hygiene to prevent the mosquitoes from spreading.

Additionally we advise our guests to protect themselves by using a repellent and by wearing the proper clothes, especially at dawn.

Should any of our guests show any symptoms of a malaria infection we will do everything to provide quick and effective medication. By a fast treatment the infection is normally just like a light flu you can be through within 24h.

6. What should we know about the native people, their religion?

The area around Matema used to be a stronghold of Christian missionaries. Consequently most of the people living here are Christians, who belong to the tribe of the .Wanyakyusa. Their native languages are Suaheli and Kinyakyusa. As the level of education is very low native people cannot be expected to speak English.

7. What about safety in Matema and in Blue Canoe?

Since independence in 1961 Tanzania has been one of the politically most stable countries in Africa. Traveling around is no problem as long as you behave according to the safety guidelines to be found in all travel guides.

Matema and Blue Canoe lie in a very remote region, far away from the urban and densely populated areas of Tanzania and the crime rate is very low. Tourists are normally not affected at all. You can move around safely, without being bothered or pestered by anyone. It is also safe for women to travel on their own.

8. Is there electricity at Blue Canoe?

We produce the electricity for the needs of our lodge with the help of a photovoltaic system. All bungalows are equipped with two 220Volt sockets (German type) and a power output of 100 Watt. That is sufficient to recharge mobiles, cameras, tablets and notebooks. It is not sufficient for a hair dryer, an iron or other devices that use up much electricity.

9. Is there WIFI at Blue Canoe?

NEW! We offer free WIFI which is available on the whole compound!

10. Can I find an ATM in Matema?

We are sorry, but there is no ATM in Matema and nowhere to exchange money. The nearest banks (CRDB und NMB) are 45km away in Kyela.

At Blue Canoe we accept credit cards and apart from Tanzanian Shillings also US Dollars and Euros.