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.

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 

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

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

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 

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

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.

An East African safari conjures up visions of ancient sepia-stained maps, pirates plundering, and safari plinths donned by the explorers of yore. The modern spirit of East Africa that now thrives has eclipsed a past peppered with conflict and colonialism. We take you on a journey through four of our favourite countries for an East African safari…

The Essence of an East African Safari 

Nowhere else on our planet will you find the same solace than in the vast great plains, rainforests, sky-scraping mountain ranges, seething volcanoes and enriching cultural exchanges of East Africa.

Imagine floating away in a hot air balloon safari silhouetted against an apricot blush dawn. On a walking safari, you may encounter a tower of giraffes browsing elegantly on flat-topped acacias while peeping at you beneath their impossibly long eyelashes.

Find nirvana in an outdoor yoga session in the untouched bush. Dine under a star-spangled sky by cheerful lantern light, making new friends while tightening the ties that bind. And much more.

An Unforgettable East African Safari Destination

Tanzania is home to Mount Kilimanjaro, and the Serengeti National Park located here is host to part of the Great Wildebeest Migration. From late June to October, driven on by their thirst-quenching quest, roughly 1.5 million blue wildebeest run the gauntlet, crossing the mighty Mara River littered with giant crocodiles lying in ambush, into Kenya with zebra and other grazers following suit. 

Year after year, they chase billowing rain clouds across the vast grasslands, driven by instinct, ostensibly oblivious to the dangers posed by hungry predators – lions, leopards and cheetahs – that shadow their every move. 

The Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania 

The Ngorongoro Crater provides a self-contained backdrop against which unique wildlife encounters unfold. Bear witness to the scale of animals sharing the world’s only unbroken caldera, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, laying claim to UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Be mindful that the seasonal rains dictate the area’s vegetation level, seasonally becoming something akin to a larger-than-life salad bowl. 

If you’re after verdant backdrops that are easy on the eye, travel after the rains when the lush landscapes emerge, roughly between November and May. 

Not to be outdone in the heart-capturing department, the sought-after violet-hued Tanzanite gemstone holds its own. The stones belong to the zoisite species unique to Tanzania, found near Arusha. First discovered in 1967 and given its name by Tiffany’s, who bore exclusive marketing rights for the first few years after its discovery, the gems are said to have mystical qualities. 

A short bush plane flit from Tanzania’s mainland lies another gem, the Zanzibar Archipelago. The collection of tropical islands set in the tourmaline waters of the warm Indian Ocean is lauded by sun worshippers, especially in the Global South, for its affordable fly-and-flop holiday packages. 

Spice Islands, Zanzibar 

Scattered like gemstones across the Indian Ocean, the Spice Islands hold great allure: powder-white beaches, crystal-clear warm, serene ocean scenes, plus captivating culture and heritage. 

Lying 22 miles (35 kilometres) off mainland Tanzania, the coral, limestone and sandstone Zanzibar Archipelago comprises Unguja, the largest of the islands, also known as Zanzibar Island and its smaller counterpart to the north, Pemba. 

Unguja is a treasure trove of historical and cultural experiences. Walk the streets of the famous East African trading hub, uncovering centuries of history shaped by influential Middle Eastern sultans, African chieftains and leaders of Western dynasties.

Visit Freddie Mercury’s Hometown 

The UNESCO World Heritage Site, Stone Town, is famous for many reasons. Notably, it claims to be the location of the shortest war waged in recorded history and the birthplace of British rock star legend Freddie Mercury, respectively.

The intricately carved wooden doors that stand out amongst the ancient labyrinth of alleyways and lanes are also a drawcard, each a quixotic local piece of art revealing a unique story. 

Pemba is less commercial. If you aspire to a less commercial Zanzibari experience punctuated by secret cove discoveries, authentic community encounters and off-the-beaten-track adventures, you’ll likely enjoy Pemba or Mafia Island. The latter is an islet off Unguja’s southerly coast adjacent to the bustling Dar es Salaam, the mainland gateway to the Zanzibar Archipelago. 

The Sweet Zanzibar Life

Life in Zanzibar is centred around the ocean, agriculture and, in recent years, tourism. Fishing is an important local industry. Cloves and, recently, seaweed have been the main cash crops exported from Zanzibar. 

Scuba diving, snorkelling and adrenaline-charged kitesurfing are popular watersports. The two monsoon seasons, namely, kaskazi and kusi in Kiswahili, sweep through the islands from March to May (the long rains) and November to December (the short rains), sandwiching the drier season. 

Watching traditional dhows’ billowing sails silhouetted against the copper horizon is a rare, beautiful moment in time immortalised by amateur and professional photographers worldwide. 

Land and Marine Wildlife Galore 

The Zanzibar Archipelago is home to a remarkable diversity of wildlife relative to its size. Zanzibar Island is known for the endemic red colobus monkey, inhabiting the Jozani Forest and the coastal mangrove swamps. Pemba’s flying fox, so called for its fox-like face, is a fruitbat with an impressive wingspan of 1.6 metres. Mafia Island attracts wallowing whale sharks to its hospitable waters and is lucky enough to have a resident population of these beauties.

Like a tropical decompression chamber, the islands are an idyllic, soul-soothing sequel to an action-packed East Africa safari. 

Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya 

Kenya, a familiar favourite safari destination in East Africa, brings all the enchantment of the “circle of life” and then some. Kenya’s “Simba safari” reputation was cemented by Hollywood’s “The Lion King”, inspired by Maasai Mara’s savannahs.

Nairobi is one of Africa’s most connected countries in cellular technology, located on the equatorial bow. This fascinating country is home to the revered Maasai Mara National Reserve, the namesake of the proud Maasai tribe; it plays an integral part in the Great Wildebeest Migration saga spanning the borders of Kenya and its southerly neighbour, Tanzania. 

There’s a high probability of human-animal conflict in communities that co-exist with wild animals alongside national parks and conservancies. Since becoming aware of the declining population of lions, some Maasai tribes have shifted their initiation customs toward a conservation-led approach that no longer mandates a Maasai moran (warrior) to hunt a lion on foot. 

The Land of a Thousand Hills, Rwanda 

Rwanda, a lush landlocked country that has also found itself in Hollywood’s searchlight for acclaimed films such as the emotive “Gorillas in the Mist” and sobering “Hotel Rwanda”, has much to offer the politically aware, eco-curious traveller. 

Today, a buoyant narrative eclipses the country’s complex past, encouraging the nation’s rebuilding through the transformational power of tourism. 

Volcanoes National Park is a drawcard for those wanting to observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Before booking, consider your budget, fitness level and mobility requirements to decide the best trekking option to suit your needs. 

Nyungwe Forest National Park offers a springboard to encounter humankind’s endearing primate cousin, the chimpanzee. The future-forward ban on plastic packets since 2008 sees Rwanda making trailblazing strides toward its commitment to a litter-free country. 

Africa’s Amazon, Congo

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) became a member of the East African Community (EAC) in 2022. The country is famous for its vast, deep rivers and misty rainforests, home to forest elephants and primates. One of the most popular places is the Odzala-Kokoua National Park, recognised as a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve. 

An Impactful East African Safari 

Before planning your East African safari, consider how to make your trip count. Going on safari – the word is said to be derived from the Kiswahili, meaning “to journey” – is as much about connecting with yourself, those around you and new horizons as it is about escaping your daily grind.

Research the local customs before you go, and find out which grassroots community-led projects you can support there. Consider whether any wildlife encounter is rooted in responsible tourism practices that hold the welfare of the animals paramount.

Be a travel protagonist, tread lightly, leaving only footprints behind and taking great memories away. Contact Rhino Africa’s Travel Experts to start planning your own East African safari today, while leaving a lasting positive legacy on the continent.