Africa is the second-largest continent, and it covers nearly 1/5 of the world’s land surface. A place so large is home to a varied and rich number of cultures, wildlife, and natural environments. From tropical and subtropical grasslands to Mediterranean forests, there is no shortage of amazement to experience across its expansive terrain. It is no surprise, then, that Africa holds one of the deepest and most beautiful lakes in the world.

Let’s discover the deepest lake in Africa – and all of the wonders it holds.
Deepest Lake in Africa

Lake Tanganyika is the deepest lake in Africa with a maximum depth of 4,823 feet.
©iStock.com/rchphoto
Lake Tanganyika is the deepest lake in Africa. It has a maximum depth of 4,823 feet, making it the second-deepest lake in the world. Its average depth is 1,870 feet. This is in comparison to the world’s deepest lake, Lake Baikal in Russia (5,387 feet), and the deepest lake in the United States, Crater Lake in Oregon (1,943 feet). This is not the only wonder of the lake. Lake Tanganyika is also the world’s second-oldest freshwater lake in the world, along with being the second-largest by volume. Additionally, this great wonder is the longest freshwater lake in the entire world, spanning 418.2 miles.
Spanning four countries – Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Tanzania – the lake covers 12,700 square miles. Its beauty is remarkable, and you can see up to 20 meters down in its crystal-clear waters. It is part of the Congo Watershed – the 9th largest watershed in existence. Fed and drained by tributaries of the Congo River, its waters eventually make their way to the Atlantic Ocean. Formed in the Great African Rift Valley, its astounding depths also fall far below sea level – its deepest point is 2,106 feet below sea level.
The lake is more than just large and beautiful – it is one of the most diverse freshwater ecosystems on the planet, with over 2,000 species inhabiting it. This includes 500 species that exist nowhere else in the world, and the largest crocodile in the world – the Nile crocodile. We’ll go over more of the wildlife in the area next.
Wildlife in Lake Tanganyika

Lake Tanganyika is more than just large and beautiful – it is one of the most diverse freshwater ecosystems on the planet, with over 2,000 species inhabiting it.
©El Braz/Shutterstock.com
Few other freshwater lakes can match the biodiversity of Tanganyika. The vast waters hold many wonders, most of them within 200 meters of the surface.
Above 200 meters, the waters are absolutely teeming with life. Not just the waters – the riparian habitats surrounding the lake are home to several distinct animals and plants. Let’s explore those riparian habitats, along with checking out what lives in the water. The United Republic of the Congo Website has published a list of fish and species in Lake Tanganyika, which will help you take a more extensive peek at what lives below the surface of the lake.
Insects
- Oleander Hawkmoth (Daphnis nerii)
- Cabbage Tree Emperor (Bunaea alcinoe)
- Blue Policeman (Coeliades chalybe)
- Warlike Spiny Sugar Ant (Polyrhachis militaris)
- Black Mud Wasp (Delta emarginatum)
- Patterned Longhorn (Monochamus spectabilis)
- Notched Shield Grasshopper (Abisares viridipennis)
Amphibians and Reptiles
- Guttural Toad (Sclerophrys gutturalis)
- Kivu Reed Frog (Hyperolius kivuensis)
- Kalahari Round-snouted Worm Lizard (Zygaspis quadrifrons)
- Gregory’s Blue-headed Agama (Acanthocercus gregorii)
- Flap-necked Chameleon (Chamaeleo dilepis)
- Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus)
Birds
- Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta)
- Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
- African Harrier-Hawk (Polyboroides typus)
- Black-chested Snake-Eagle (Circaetus pectoralis)
- Grey-backed Fiscal (Lanius excubitoroides)
- Collared Sunbird (Hedydipna collaris)
- Violet-backed Starling (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster)
Mammals
- Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)
- Kinda Baboon (Papio kindae)
- Forest Giant Pouched Rat (Cricetomys emini)
- Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus)
- Common Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus)
- Common Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius)
- Rusty-spotted Genet (Genetta maculata)
- African Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis)
- Plains Zebra (Equus quagga)
Fish
- Tanganyika Lates (Lates angustifrons)
- Burton’s Mouthbrooder (Astatotilapia burtoni)
- Giant Tanganyika Cichlid (Boulengerochromis microlepis)
- Northern Tanganyika Clown (Eretmodus marksmithi)
- Golden Julie (Julidochromis ornatus)
- Fourspine Cichlid (Neolamprologus tetracanthus)
- Gold Nasuta (Ophthalmotilapia nasuta)
Visiting the Lake
You can absolutely go visit this expansive lake, which offers tranquility and a variety of activities. Hiking, boat tours, resort stays, and wildlife viewing are all available along the shores. Tanzania is a popular destination for seeing the lake and observing the chimpanzees that live in the area. There are even chimpanzee lodges you can stay at! The best time to visit is the dry season – June through September. The wet season closes many accommodations from March to May, as the small access roads become flooded and impassable for visitors.
June to September is also the best time to visit the national parks in the area – Gombe and Mahale along with others – and the weather is temperate for outdoor activities. Accommodations in the area are somewhat scarce outside of the dry season, so keep that in mind if you’re looking to travel outside of the summer months. Humidity in the wet season climbs to 80 percent and creates a beautiful environment for butterflies and foliage bloom, however, finding a place to stay is trickier.
Regardless, visiting the lake is possible and worthwhile. The waters of the lake stay temperate year-round and many of the people living along its shores are friendly and welcoming.
Can You Swim in Lake Tanganyika?

Crocodiles and hippos are two of the many potential risks of swimming in Lake Tanganyika.
©El Braz/Shutterstock.com
Yes, you can swim in Tanganyika, though there are a series of advisories to keep in mind if you do. First, these waters are home to many large reptiles, including an infamous crocodile named ‘Gustave.’ Gustave is over 70 years old and rumored to have eaten over 200 people in his life. No one has sighted Gustave since 2016, but he represents a danger that exists in the lake. Crocodiles and hippos are two of the many potential risks of swimming. The CDC recommends against swimming in lakes and freshwater while in Africa, for the risk of contracting Schistosomiasis. This warning applies to the waters of Lake Tanganyika, as well, but local resorts offer swimming and say there have been no incidents on their waters.
Local advisories recommend only swimming in the daytime and close to shore. The lake is very large and deep, and rainfall or heavy winds could strand you. Further, some species of animals hunt at night, so it is not advisable to spend time in the water during hours of low visibility. Check with local resources before swimming to make sure you’ll be safe. In a constantly changing global climate, seeking updated information on your destination is always the best move to ensure a good trip with no injury or illness.
Interesting Facts about Lake Tanganyika

Half of the species specific to the area are varieties of cichlids including the giant tanganyika cichlid.
©Pavaphon Supanantananont/Shutterstock.com
There are too many cool facts about the lake to count, so we’ve included a small list of them here.
- The entire lake is about the same temperature. When you dive into rivers or lakes, you’ll surely notice that the water gets colder the deeper you swim. This isn’t true of Tanganyika. The temperature of all of the water only varies by about 3 degrees Celsius (37.4 degrees Fahrenheit). That might seem like a lot, but it is the separation between the top hundreds of feet and the bottom thousands. For a lake to be such a deep well of fresh water and keep such a uniform temperature, is astounding. There is no explanation for how the temperature of the water stays so stable.
- Over 350 species of fish are endemic to the lake’s waters.
- Half of the species of animals specific to the area are varieties of cichlids, a family of fish with over 1,500 different species. Research suggests that cichlids originated in Tanzania.
- Most of the residents around the lake rely on the fish in it. Residents eat a diet rich in several different kinds of fish and they make their living on them, as well. A large portion of laborers in the area work as fishermen.
- Below 200 meters, the lake is mostly a dead zone. The water is anaerobic, which makes it hard for any species to survive. Biological sediment fills much of the space at these depths, some incredibly ancient. This gives the water a fossil-like quality.
Where Is Lake Tanganyika Located on a Map?
Lake Tanganyika is located in the Albertine Rift in a mountainous valley. Thus, its surface elevation is 2,536 feet. The major rivers flowing into the lake are the Ruzizi, Malagarisi, and Kalambo Rivers, while the Lukuga River is its major outflow. Nearby settlements are Kigoma, Kalemie, Bujumbura, and Mpulungu.
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