Lake Tanganyika is found on the western border of Tanzania, in East Africa. This massive expanse of water is the longest lake in the world, (720 km long) and is the second deepest lake in the world (1,470m). Because it lies on the Great African Rift, the Lake’s temperature is typically 23 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit) all year round.
The Lake boasts visibilities of up to 20m with massive boulders, spectacular drop offs and a shell covered bottom. It is thought to date back 9 to 20 million years and is one of the richest aqueous environments in the world, supporting at least 250 varieties of fish. Most of the 200 and more types of cichlid fish found here are endemic to the Lake. These small, colourful fish are exported for aquariums and fish tanks around the world.
Because of their unique feeding techniques, Tanganyika cichlids prefer different habitats. This means that by going only a few hundred meters, you are able to view totally different species, making your diving and snorkeling trips very exciting. Apart from cichlids you could also catch a glimpse of otters, speckled eels, catfish, burrowing clams and freshwater crabs. In the deeper water you may well spot the Lake Tanganyika jellyfish, a nearly transparent, pulsating disc about 2 cm in diameter. Freshwater jellyfish are unusual as most species are found in the ocean. This species is completely harmless to swimmers and does not sting like those found in the sea. Remember to keep a watch out for some of the large fish as well – Nile perch, tigerfish, yellowbellies and others.
We hope that you will find the underwater world of Lake Tanganyika as exciting and special as we do.
We are the only PADI Registered Dive operation on the whole of Lake Tanganyika. The lake boasts the highest number of endemic Cichlids in the world. The average visibility is between 15 to 25 metres, (depending on weather factors).
The yellows, oranges and different blues of these wonderful little fish are magnificent, only made more amazing by the vast quantity of the little fellows!
The water fluctuates between 23 and 26 degrees Celcius, all year around. Wetsuits are actually not donned, we use a simple neoprene shirt, known as BODY GLOVES.
Within a 5km boat ride, we can show you up to 12 wonderful dive sites. We are sheltered by 7 islands, which offer us a wide array of special destinations. The rocky drop-offs are staggering, within a few metres horizontal movement, the vertical drop off can be infinite. Diving here is Altitude diving, we are at 780m above sea level.
