Did you know Tanzania is home to the highest mountain (Mount Kilimanjaro) and Africa's deepest lake (Lake Tanganyika)? It's a country with stunning grasslands, savannahs, and unique lakes. In fact, it's worth visiting just to explore Tanzania's most beautiful lakes. Some are dramatic, whereas others are vast, blue, and tranquil. Take a journey with us to marvel at these miraculous bodies of water.
Admire the most beautiful lakes in Tanzania, Image Credit: Kaya Mawa Island Lodge
Tanzania's Most Beautiful Lakes
Take a tour around the most spellbinding bodies of water in Tanzania.
Lake Victoria
The majestic Lake Victoria is impressive. It's the largest lake in Africa (roughly the size of Ireland) and covers around 60,000 square kilometres. If you're lucky to fly over it, you would not think it's a lake – instead, it looks like you're flying over the ocean! And much like the ocean, you can see a wide range of stunning fish species here.
Located in a shared territory with Uganda and Kenya, Lake Victoria offers a unique opportunity to extend your Tanzania safari and explore other parts of Eastern Africa. If you choose to venture into Uganda, you can even visit the source of the Nile near Jinja. The possibilities for adventure and exploration are endless.
What Activities Can I Enjoy at Lake Victoria?
- Snorkelling, Diving and Fishing: Explore underwater to see the many multi-coloured fish and the Nile perch fish the area is known for
- Birding: Like cities have doves, Lake Victoria has pied kingfishers, and there are hundreds of them, plus other bird species, too!
- Swimming and Exploring: There are spots where you can dive and swim in the water and stroll along the shores of the many islands
Sit and stare at one of Tanzania's most beautiful lakes, Image Credit: Rubondo Island Camp
Lake Nyasa
Tanzania, Mozambique, and Malawi share Lake Nyasa, also known as Lake Malawi, which forms part of the rift through Africa. David Livingstone referred to it as the "Lake of Stars", as the lights on the fishermen's boats resembled the night sky.
It's home to over 1,000 fish species, including rare and endemic cichlids, and boasts a vibrant ecosystem hosting various wildlife like turtles, baboons, monkeys, crocodiles, antelope, and hyrax, to name just a few. And, of course, tons of bird species, including fish eagles.
What Can I Do at Lake Nyasa Other Than Game Drives?
- Watersports: Enjoy activities like kayaking, water skiing, canoeing, boat rides, snorkelling and scuba diving
- Birdwatching: With so many species to see, don't forget to pack your binoculars
- Lounging on Islands: Explore all the other smaller islands in the area
Island beachfront in Lake Malawi, Image Credit: Kaya Mawa Island Lodge
Lake Natron
The scenery at Lake Natron is quite dramatic and unusual. Located close to an active volcano, Old Doinyo Lengai, the alkaline state is too toxic for most species to survive in. Because of the high concentration of sodium carbonate, animals that die here calcify.
Yet, it hosts the perfect conditions for lesser flamingos to be born here. Some records show that you can find 75% of the world's population here, and it's quite a spectacle to behold millions of lesser flamingos in this setting. The hues of the pink birds flow with the shades of orange and red algae in the lake. Lake Natron is close to the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park, making it a convenient add-on to your safari. Our favourite highlights are sundowners and the traditional Maasai barbeque, which features songs and dances around the fire.
What to Do at Lake Natron
- Birding: See the lesser flamingos at sunrise and sunset when temperatures are cooler, and spot 250 other species of birds
- Mountain Biking: Experience nature more intensely with no barriers as you bike around the local area
- Hominid Footprints: Step into history and marvel at human footprints from 5,000-19,000 years ago
Dramatic scenes of Lake Natron in Tanzania
Lake Tanganyika
Lake Tanganyika is shared between Tanzania, Burundi, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This freshwater lake is the deepest in Africa and the second deepest in the word. Naturally, it is home to a variety of fish species (including cichlids), hippo, nile crocodiles, tons of wildlife, and bird species. As vibrant as the fauna is the flora. Some plant species can only be found here.
What Can I Do While Visiting Lake Tanganyika?
- Watersports: Go kayaking, canoeing, wakeboarding, skiing, snorkelling, and diving
- Island Hopping: Go on a boat safari to see the many smaller islands dotted in the lake
- Hiking and Chimpanzee Trekking: Get to know the land on foot
Situated on the glistening shores of Lake Tanganyika
Lake Manyara
Situated in Lake Manyara National Park, the area is adorned with woodlands, savannahs, and cliffs. Although Lake Manyara might be tiny compared to the above-mentioned lakes, it's home to a high concentration of spectacular wildlife.
Our guests are usually excited to see flamingos, hippos, giraffes, zebras, leopards, lions, elephants, buffalo, and wildebeest. The dry months are ideal for game viewing, while the rainy season is perfect for birding. Furthermore, it's close to Arusha, making it an easy add-on when exploring the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park.
What to Do at Lake Manyara
- Birding: In addition to flamingos, birding aficionados have spotted emerald cuckoos, crowned eagles, crowned hornbills, silvery-cheeked hornbills, and long-tailed fiscals
- Cultural Activities: Mto Wa Mbu is a town close to the gate of the national park that offers village tours
- Game Drives: Feel like you are behind the scenes of a nature documentary and gawk at the rich wildlife around the lake
Lake Manyara is seasonally home to millions of lesser flamingos
Experience Tanzania’s Beauty
Many of our guests add Zanzibar to their itineraries to create the perfect bush and beach safari experience in Tanzania. Spend the first leg of the tour traversing Tanzania's stunning landscapes, relax on Zanzibar's beaches and sail on a traditional dhow afterwards.
The warm tropical waters are perfect for snorkelling and diving to explore undisturbed marine life and colourful coral reefs. Ready for your adventure? Contact our Travel Experts, and let's start planning your next holiday.
