Tanzania has a wonderful array of lakes that are as gorgeous as they are unusual, ranging from crystal blue water lapsing into beach-like, sandy coasts to crater lakes surrounded by lush forests. The region is home to some of the world’s oldest and deepest lakes and immense ecological diversity and breathtaking natural features.
Tanzania’s lakes have piqued the interest of visitors for years, with freshwater lakes the size of oceans and deadly soda lakes that have generated different ecosystems. Snorkelers, divers, and swimmers should visit Lakes Malawi and Tanganyika, while brave travelers should visit Lakes Manyara and Natron.
Lake Natron
Lake Natron is a Salt Lake in northern Tanzania, near the border with Kenya. It is located northeast of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Lake Natron’s evaporation levels are unusually high due to the absence of an outlet, resulting in the buildup of natron and trona. The lake’s waters may reach alkalinity of more than pH12, making it one of the world’s most deadly lakes.
Lake Natron has some of Tanzania’s most distinctive and spectacular landscapes. There is virtually little fauna in the lonely and scorching environment near the foothills of Oldoinyo Lengai, a smoldering and active volcano. Despite its harsh surroundings and very alkaline water, the lake is home to a complex ecology of microorganisms that give the water its peculiar pinky-red hue. Flamingos love the organisms, and Natron is famous for being the sole regular breeding place for Lessor flamingos in East Africa. Despite being arid and scorching, the distinctive beauty of Natron should not be overlooked.
Lake Manyara
This beautiful body of water is the crown gem of Tanzania’s lake system, where scenic beauty abounds and wildlife abounds. It encompasses around two-thirds of Lake Manyara National Park and is home to a diverse range of lush environments. The peaceful alkaline water, often ornamented with flocks of pelicans and flamingos, is complemented by marshes, grassland, and acacia woodlands, all contrasted by the majestic Rift Valley Escarpment. The song of hornbills and guinea fowl fills the evergreen woodlands surrounding the lake. Keep an eye out for Lake Manyara’s distinctive tree-climbing lions while you’re there.
Lake Manyara is part of Tanzania’s northern circuit of national parks. A typical trip is to begin in Arusha and travel to Lake Manyara before continuing to Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and ending in Arusha.
Lake Malawi/Nyasa
Located on the boundary between Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique. Lake Malawi is the world’s fifth-biggest freshwater lake (29,600km2) and one of the Rift Valley lakes.
The misty green Livingstone Mountains border this lovely and pristine stretch of water, providing a magnificent background to the sparkling lake. To the north and east are the Kitulo Plateau and the Kitulo National Park, a protected region of gorgeous montane grassland known as the “Serengeti of Flowers” among botanists. Crocodiles, hippos, and other monkey species may be found along the banks, and the marine-rich waters provide a major source of revenue for the locals. The lake’s tranquil surface is great for water activities like sailing, snorkeling, and kayaking, and the tropical aroma of mango and cherry trees fills the air. This gorgeous jewel is completed by easygoing, laid-back residents who are glad to stop and speak.
Lake Tanganyika
Lake Tanganyika, located in western Tanzania, is shared by Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Zambia. Lake Tanganyika is famed for being the world’s largest freshwater lake, with a maximum length of 673 kilometers.
The sandy beaches and sheer immensity of the lake give the impression that you are standing on Tanzania’s shoreline. The vibrant colors of the cichlids darting about the lake are enhanced by the crystal-clear water. Lake Tanganyika is an excellent diving and snorkeling location.
Lake Tanganyika is fed by multiple rivers and has a wonderful habitat that includes woods ideal for chimp trekking, ravines, and tumbling waterfalls.
Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria is the world’s biggest tropical lake, surrounded by Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. Its indented sides span for more than 300 kilometers (186 miles) from north to south, and the lake has several archipelagos and shallow reefs. There are various beautiful islands, notably Rubondo Island, Africa’s largest island national park. Villages along the coast offer a peaceful waterside appeal that takes visitors off the main path as they mix with the people and soak up the peace and quiet. The Speke Gulf is named after John Hanning Speke, who was the first to map the lake and find its source in the Nile River.
Lake Eyasi
Lake Eyasi is mostly frequented for its beautiful birdlife and cultural interactions with the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes. It is located in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Highlands and has purple volcanic cliffs around a large stretch of white alkaline shallows. In contrast to the drier northern parts, Eyasi’s shoreline is lined with towering palm palms, which attract diverse and abundant wildlife, including Fischer’s lovebird, flamingo, pelican, spurfowl, and stork. The lake’s size changes depending on the rain, and it’s exceptionally attractive from June to November when groups of breeding pelicans and flamingos come.
Lake Chala
This crater lake is located on the eastern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in a magnificent volcanic environment. Depending on the season, its colors range from a brilliant blue to deep emerald green, symbolizing a timeless beauty that is carved in Tanzania’s spirit. The lake is nourished by subterranean springs flowing from Mount Kilimanjaro, which also nourish the beautiful, green trees that flank the coastline. A variety of fauna may be found among the flowers, bushes, and breathtaking volcanic savanna grasslands, and birding is excellent. Swimming is permitted in the region, and hiking routes wind around the water’s edge and up to the Chala Hills.
Lake Rukwa
Although getting to Lake Rukwa requires some effort, once there, visitors will be rewarded with its beauty and quiet, since relatively few tourists visit this distant, far western region. Rukwa is located within Katavi National Park and is home to a plethora of crocodiles and hippos, as well as a diverse array of water birds such as the glossy ibis, white pelican, lesser flamingo, and African skimmer. The lake is Tanzania’s fourth biggest and has no outlet, therefore water levels vary dramatically depending on the season. Grazers feast on the lush grasslands in the valley around the lake, while papyrus swamps are home to endangered species such as the shoebill stork and Tanzanian masked weaver