:: WATERBUCK SAFARIS LIMITED ::

Introduction

The lakes of Tanzania are varied in what they offer the potential visitor. On soda lakes like Lake Manyara and Lake Natron, wildlife gather on the desolate salt flats and shimmering views remind one of a lunar landscape which at sunset descends into shades of various pastels. The soda lakes are alkaline and brackish, home to large populations of pink flamingos, storks, and herons. Bird-watching and game viewing are popular activities, but must be done from a distance as the soda flats along the lake shore are difficult to walk or drive in. Still, a visit to the soda lakes of Tanzania is an unforgettable experience. Game still thrive along their unpopulated shores and the sheer ethereal beauty of the water, coloured silver and white by the mineral deposits, is an unforgettable part of the African experience.

Towns and industry take full advantage of the freshwater lakes in the region, the largest of which is Lake Victoria to the northwest of the country. Fishing has long been a mainstay of residents who live around the natural resources, and transport across Tanzania’s many African borders is also an economically profitable activity. Because of the easy supply of freshwater irrigation, Tanzanians also farm the areas around freshwater lakes extensively, and both subsistence and cash crops are grown around their shores.

Visitors to the freshwater lakes can embark on fishing trips, hikes, swim, and enjoy the rich bird and fish life that surrounds the water. In many populated areas, cultural tourism programs are also popular.

Lake Manyara

Lake Eyasi

The Lake Eyasi area is hot and dry, located on the floor of the East African Rift Valley and the Kidero Mountains. An escarpment rises to the north into the Ngoronogoro Conservation Area while a salt or “soda” lake lies on the valley floor. The region is especially suited to exploring on foot and we do this with our local guides.

It’s here that the Wahadzabe tribe lives, some of the last remaining hunter-gatherers on the continent. This dwindling population of hunter-gatherers still maintain their thousand year old traditions, albeit with great difficulty. Another interesting tribe in the area is the Datoga. These are the last remaining tribes of bushmen in East Africa. A visit to this “primitive” tribe is an interesting learning experience and we can spend the day observing their ways.

Lake Natron

Lake Natron is located in the southwest of Ngorongoro Conservation Area , as other people call it Maasai land and northern Maasai Steppe (Tarangire). It is a soda lake with extreme alkalinity since some of its water leaks through the lava flow of the nearby active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai. Ol Donyo being South of the active volcano while Serengeti National Park in the west above the rift valley escarpment. At times, there are several hundred thousand flamingos on and near the lake making for a wonderful spectacle.

Lake Natron is one of the most important breeding grounds for flamingos in the world. The vast area of the northern Maasai Steppe is famous for its great concentrations of Lesser Kudu, Gerenuk, Grant's and Thompson's Gazelle, Fringe-eared Oryx, Coke's Hartebeest, White-bearded Wildebeest.

The weather is significantly hotter here then at most other northern Tanzania destinations but the scenery is striking and unlike anywhere else. Most visits to Lake Natron include a brief visit to Engaruka Ruins: a mysterious complex of stone ruins, consisting of 7 abandoned villages with an astoundingly complex irrigation system of canals and damns that supported 5000 people. Little is known of Engaruka's original inhabitants and archeologists are still puzzled.

Lake Manyara

Situated inside Lake Manyara National Park, the lake is home to millions of flamingos, pelicans, storks and other plentiful bird life, as well as hippos that can be observed at close range. Hot springs trickle into the shallow waters and during the dry season, the lakeshore retreats to leave striking white soda deposits in its wake.

For more information, see the ‘ Lake Manyara National Park’ section under ‘National Parks and Reserves’.

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Lake Tanganyika

Among the chain of lakes on the bottom of the Western Great Rift Valley, Lake Tanganyika is outstanding for its extraordinary north-south extension (670 km) and depth (1,470 m). It is the second largest of African lakes, the second deepest (next to L. Baikal) and the longest lake of the world.

Of the 214 species of native fishes in the lake, 176 are endemic; the number of endemic genera amounts to 30 in cichlids and 8 in non- cichlid fishes. Agriculture, livestock raising and the processing of these products as well as the mining (tin, copper, coal, etc.) are the main industries in the drainage basin of Lake Tanganyika. The waters of Lake Tanganyika host more than 500 varieties of fish species; the largest concentration of fish species in the world. The most famous fishes are "Tanganyika sardine" (Stolothrissa Tanganikae), locally known as dagaa, a local delicacy. The abundance of fish provides a source of income to local people living around the lake.

The lake plays a crucial travel and trading role with neighboring countries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia. The important trading center is Ujiji Town.

Travel to Lake Tanganyika is mostly centred around visiting Gombe Stream National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park.

Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria is the largest freshwater lake in Africa and is bordered by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Lake Victoria is the source of the White Nile and provides an income for millions of residents along its shores including exporting fish. Although fishing is a traditional mainstay of the region, coffee and cotton production are increasing the economic importance of the area, especially in Mwanza. Telecommunications and transportation is also a growing industry and has encouraged growth in the region that has makde it one of the most populated in the country. Trade with neighbouring Uganda to the east and Kenya to the north means that the ports on Lake Victoria are bustling with growth and economic activity.

The Tanzanian section of Lake Victoria is one of the least visited regions in the country, however the towns of Bukoba, Musoma and Mwanza have a number of attractions. Near Mwanza and Musoma are many islands, some have become wildlife sanctuaries, Saanane Island or national parks, Rubondo Island.

For visitors, attractions include trips to Rubondo Island National Park and participating in various cultural tourism programmes on offer around the area.

The lake has some spectacular varieties of freshwater tropical fish, many of which are exported to aquariums all over the world. It’s shores are peaceful and pristine, and offer a quiet alternative to the constant movement and bustle of a safari itinerary. Gently sloping hills lead to the soft blue waters of the lake, as fish eagles swoop at dawn and evening time eager for the small fish that swim in Victoria’s rich waters.

Bird-watching and fishing trips make popular excursions, and boating trips and hikes can be arranged.

Lake Nyasa

The Lake Nyasa (Nyasa means "lake") is located at the south-west of Tanzania, The lake lies in three countries' territory; Tanzania and Malawi. However, it is bordered by three countries, Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique. It is the third largest in Africa (after Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika) with 550 kilometers length and 75 kilometers width, covering an area of more than 11,400 square kilometers. In some parts, the lake is as deep as 700 meters.

The lake lies in the sided walls of mountain ranges: the forested Livingston Mountains and Nyika Plateau, which provide the magnificent view of the lake from far and the landscape for hikers and backpackers.

Lake Nyasa is also among the Great Rift Valley's lakes, which shares some of the characteristics with lake Tanganyika. The lake has a distinctive characteristic: 14 rivers pouring their waters into the lake, and only one river which flows out to the sea, River Shire. Some parts of the lake offer nice beaches and places to swim. Matema, in the northern part of the lake is considered to be the best beach for people who like to relax swim along the lake shore.

In contrast to other lakes the water of Lake Nyasa is bilharzias free. There are also caves and interesting waterfalls to see. Other activities include local canoeing ride down the river, hiking on surrounding mountains. Though Lake Nyasa does not receive many tourists, the lake is magnificently attractive and is rich in crocodiles and hippopotamus. For Fish lovers, Lake Nyasa is biologically the most diverse lake, containing approximately 30% of world's cichlid species (colorful fish which are easily seen in the lake's clear water).