Lake Tanganyika

Lake Tanganyika is situated in Western Tanzania and shares it border with the three neighboring countries: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. It is the world’s longest (676 km), second deepest (1470 m) and second largest (32 900 km²) freshwater lake. It is also one of the oldest lakes with an exceptional number of endemic fishes.

On Tanzanian side Kigoma is a well-known town while the rest of the shoreline is sprinkled by small and rarely visited villages. Traveling through the countryside and visiting the local villages in a fantastic opportunity to immerse into the local life. One of our favorite road journeys is an off-the-beaten-path adventure via Mbeya and Sumbawanga to Kipili with a stay at Lake Shore Lodge.

Lake Tanganyika is arguably one of Africa’s most beautiful lakes with long, uninhabited beaches set in front of lush tropical forests with fantastic mountain ridges behind. It is home to many primates including wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream and Mahale Mountains National Park. The lake can be visited all year round as it has a moderate equatorial climate, but is best between June to October.