Lake Tanganyika- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Lake Tanganyika: Geology, Biodiversity & Travel on Tanzania’s Lakeshore

Nestled along the western edge of Tanzania, Lake Tanganyika stands out as one of Africa’s most remarkable freshwater bodies. Stretching approximately 660 km from north to south, it claims a place among the longest, oldest and deepest lakes on Earth.

I. Geology, Location & Physical Characteristics

Lake Tanganyika lies within the Western Rift of the East African Rift System, where tectonic plates slowly pulled apart to form the deep valley that holds the lake. Shared by four countries—Tanzania (about 46% of its waters), the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Zambia—it covers roughly 32,900 km² and reaches depths exceeding 1,436 m.

• The lake’s major inflows include the Malagarasi, Ruzizi and Kalambo rivers.
• The only outflow is the Lukuga River, which eventually joins the Congo River system.
• Steep escarpments and minimal river input create remarkable depth and clarity.

II. Biodiversity, Ecology & Human Use

Because Lake Tanganyika has existed in relative isolation for millions of years, its waters host exceptional levels of endemism. It is home to over 2,000 species of aquatic plants and animals, many found nowhere else on the planet—including roughly 250 + species of brightly-coloured cichlids.

Those same traits that make it a biologist’s laboratory also support local livelihoods: fisheries on the lake supply up to 25-40% of the animal protein for communities around its shores.

• Rising water temperatures threaten fish breeding grounds.
• Unsustainable fishing and sedimentation degrade water quality.
• Pollution and habitat loss impact endemic species and local communities.

Conservation efforts are underway, aiming to balance ecological health with the needs of more than 10 million people living in the basin.

III. Travel, Recreation & Practical Information (Tanzania Side)

For travellers working with Majestic East Africa Tours, Lake Tanganyika offers a compelling extension to Tanzania’s safari circuits. The Tanzanian shoreline, especially around the Kigoma region, provides access to the lake’s clear waters, dramatic mountains and lesser-visited national parks such as Mahale Mountains National Park and Gombe Stream National Park.

• Activities include kayaking along the shoreline, snorkelling or diving among the endemic fish, and chimp-tracking in the forested hills.
• The best time to visit is during the drier months (June to October) when skies are clear and visibility is high.
• Visitors can fly from Dar es Salaam or Arusha to Kigoma, then reach lakeside lodges by boat or car.
• Combining Lake Tanganyika with Katavi National Park creates a serene, less-crowded Tanzanian adventure.

Lake Tanganyika merits a place in your Tanzanian itinerary not only for its sheer scale, but because it links geology, ecology, human culture and travel in a way few other places do. It is an ancient lake that continues to shape both wildlife evolution and human experience across East Africa.