This incredible lake of 32,900 km² is located on the border of Tanzania with the Republic of Congo, and owes its importance to its great biodiversity. Located in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Tanganyika ranks as the second deepest lake in the world and contains 15% of the global freshwater. Its waters are home to a unique variety of species, including endemic fish, hippos, elephants, rhinos and zebras among many others. Lake Tanganyika is a must-see stop on your trip to Tanzania.
Both the lake and its surroundings offer a wide variety of activities such as sport fishing, sailing, safaris or diving. You can also visit the coastal villages in the region and enjoy the local life. In this post we tell you everything you need to know before embarking on your trip to Lake Tanganyika and give you the best travel tips so you don’t miss anything. Prepare your notebook and take notes.
What are the best places to visit in Lake Tanganyika?
1. Mahale Mountains National Park
In 1985, the Tanzanian government established the Mahale Mountains National Park for the purpose of preserving the chimpanzee population inhabiting the area. Today, the park, with an area of 1600 km² and bordering Lake Tanganyika, is home to one of the largest chimpanzee colonies on the African continent.
This impressive park is also home to 82 other species of mammals, 350 types of birds, reptiles, goldfish and waterfowl. Chimpanzees, leaping among the branches and playing on the ground, provide a captivating spectacle. In addition, the park is home to yellow baboon, colobus of different shades, blue and green monkeys. Either on the internet or at the hotel you will have to hire a guided tour (safari) to get into this incredible park that will leave you speechless.
2. Kangwena Beach
Located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, within the Mahale Mountains National Park, Kangwena Beach is a secluded paradise, as it can only be accessed from the lake. On the beach of fine sand and crystal-clear waters you can lounge in the sun and wander into the jungle to see chimpanzees.
At the same beach there is a complex of cabins where you can stay and the staff there organizes excursions to see chimpanzees.
3. Gombe Stream National Park
Gombe Stream National Park is located 16 km from Kigoma and is famous for being where Jane Goodall conducted her chimpanzee study, as well as for National Geographic documentaries. Despite its small size, Gombe Stream is one of the least explored corners in Tanzania, and as a result the park has remained virtually untouched over the years, guaranteeing travelers an authentic experience.
In the park you will also encounter baboons, green, blue and red-tailed monkeys. In addition, the dense forests are home to less common species such as leopards, bushbuck, vultures and osprey.
Same as in Mahale Mountains National Park, you’ll need to hire an organized tour to get into the forest.
4. Diving in Lake Tanganyika
Lake Tanganyika is a popular diving destination as it is home to a wide variety of endemic fish called cichlids. In Kigoma you’ll find dive schools where you can book excursions that will take you to the lake’s most impressive locations.
The visibility is excellent in these crystal clear waters, making it a breathtaking diving experience. In addition to the cichlids, you can encounter other types of fish, such as the frontosa cichlid and pelagic skipper, as well as small crustaceans and sponges.
5. Ujiji Village
Ujiji Village is famous for its history and connections to the African exploration of the 19th century. One of the best-known events that occurred in Ujiji was the meeting between British explorer Henry Morton Stanley and Scottish physician and explorer David Livingstone in 1871.
Today, Ujiji is a tourist destination that attracts travelers interested in Tanzanian history and culture. In addition to the historical sites, visitors can enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Tanganyika and explore local life in this quiet, picturesque village.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to do around Lake Tanganyika
1. Dar es Salaam, the origin of your trip
If you are traveling to Lake Tanganyika you will most likely depart from Julius Nyerere International Airport Julius Nyerere in Dar es Salaam, the commercial capital and the most populous city in Tanzania.
The city is a bustling destination with a great crossroads of cultures. Africans, Indians, Arabs, Germans and English have all left their mark there. In the city you will see extensive beaches, buildings of colonial architecture and a relaxed urban atmosphere that captivates travelers.
The city as such is not one of the most popular destinations in the country, however, it is a good strategic place to stay and organize excursions to the surrounding islands. If you want to know more about Dar es Salaam we recommend you take a look at this post: Things to see and do in Dar es Salaam Tanzania.
What to see in 3 days in Lake Tanganyika
Lake Tanganyika has a lot to offer, so you will need at least 3 days to visit the Mahale Mountains National Park, Gombe Stream National Park, Ujiji village and have time to enjoy the lake, where you can take boat rides, swim and relax on the beaches.
If you are also a diving lover, remember to book a few hours for it. You can book both diving and chimpanzee tours at Kigoma.
Where and what to eat in Lake Tanganyika
If you visit Lake Tanganyika you will most likely spend the whole day hiking in the nature. In the case of traveling with an agency, they will take care of providing places to eat, and if not, you can always look for restaurants in major cities like Kigoma. Also it is common for hotels to have a restaurant.
Fish is a key ingredient of the local cuisine, but you can also find other Tanzanian specialties. We recommend you check out these local restaurants:
- Metro Pub: is one of the best restaurants in Kigoma to try the local cuisine. We recommend you to try their grilled recipes.
- Kigoma Hilltop Hotel: This hotel has a restaurant on its terrace with stunning views of the lake. You’ll be able to eat both local and international dishes.
- Unique Kitchen: Located on Bangwe beach, this restaurant is a perfect choice for a traditional Tanzanian meal. The dishes are plentiful and you can’t miss the fish barbecue.
Where to stay in Lake Tanganyika
The closest towns to Lake Tanganyika are Kigoma and Mahale, where you will find several options for overnight stays. In some African countries it is difficult to find accommodation on platforms such as Booking or Trivago, so if you have difficulties we recommend you to contact a travel agency. Even so, here are some options to stay in Kigoma:
- Green View Resort & Tours: This accommodation has a garden, free private parking, terrace and a restaurant. The rooms have wifi, air conditioning and private bathroom. The price per night starts from 30€ and breakfast is included.
- Coast View Resort: This 1-star hotel is a simple and cozy place to stay from €30. The property has a garden and a bar. They also serve continental breakfast every morning.
- Sunset Vista Hotel: This is a hotel with a garden, swimming pool, restaurant and a bar. Some rooms also have whirlpool tubs. Suites are also available for a more exclusive experience. The price per night starts at €40 and buffet breakfast is included.
How to get to Lake Tanganyika
To get to Lake Tanganyika you will have to fly first to the international airport in Dar es Salaam and there take a local flight to Kigoma Airport, which is located 5km away from the shore. From the airport you can reach your destination by cab, rental car or private transfer.
You will most likely be staying in Kigoma or Mahale, from where you can get around the area in your own vehicle or on organized tours. There is a lot to see around the lake, but it is not well connected.
What should I keep in mind before traveling to Lake Tanganyika?
- In some beaches in Tanzania, there is an entrance fee.
- The official languages in Tanzania are Swahili and English.
- A visa and passport are required to enter Tanzania.
- The official currency of Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling.
- Although in the more touristy areas it is possible to find places that accept credit cards, it is advisable to carry cash.
- Tanzania has a tropical climate with pleasant temperatures throughout the year. However, you should be prepared for climatic variations depending on the region you visit and the time of the year.
- Drink only bottled water and avoid consuming raw food from unreliable places to avoid stomach problems.
- Hedge yourself against possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
- Tanzania is a safe destination, but we recommend you take care with your belongings and avoid going out alone at night.
- Don’t forget your sunscreen.
- The best time to travel to Lake Tanganyika is between June and October.
How to prepare what to see on your trip to Lake Tanganyika
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by other travelers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
- Organize your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or typology (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
- Add your friends so that they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
- Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
- Add the stops that most interest you, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
- Book your flights, accommodations, transfers and activities through a single app.
- Save all your documents in the app to have everything always at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
- Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip
- Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travelers with your experience. In addition, you can share your own travel tips on the things to do in Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Lake Tanganyika
The best time to travel to Tanzania is in the dry season, from May to October.
Water is not safe to drink throughout the country, and due to the poor safety of water supplies, we recommend you drink only bottled water and avoid ice.
You will need at least 3 days to enjoy all Lake Tanganyika has to offer.
The main cities where you can stay in Lake Tanganyika are Kigoma and Mahale.
To get to the Tanganyika side you will need to take a plane from Dar es Salaam International Airport. Once at Kigoma airport you can reach the center by cab or transfer.
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