Top Lakes in Africa

Africa is home to the second-largest freshwater lake in the world. Most of the major lakes in Africa lie along a continental fault line known as the East African Rift Valley.

Running through the southeastern part of the continent, the great Rift Valley creates spectacular mountains such as Kilimanjaro and also the Great Lakes of Africa.

Lake Victoria

Bordered by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and the second-largest freshwater lake in the world. It supports a diverse ecosystem of reefs and islands, including many unique species of fish. 

Lake Victoria plays the role as one of the sources of the Nile River. The land around Lake Victoria is highly populated, and the lake is an important economic role in the lives of the people there. 

For tourists, the major attraction is sport fishing for Nile perch, as is birdwatching.

Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha is one of the most famous lakes in Kenya and one of the truly astonishing lakes reflecting aquatic beauty. Mainly fed by the Malewa and Gilgil rivers with no visible outlet, the lake’s outlet is an underground one. 

The lake is impressive concerning its watery body standards and its surface area which is 139 square kilometres and 6M deep. Lake Naivasha is also home to an extensive variety of wildlife. 

Going on a tour, you can enjoy a boat safari where you will explore the concentrated wildlife, and the vibrant birdlife.

Wildlife viewing at the lake is a must. Crescent Island Sanctuary houses some of the wildlife in Kenya. Going in a walking safari is easy and perfect, since there are no predators around.

Lake Nakuru 

Lake Nakuru is home to huge numbers of birds and mammals such as the occasional warthog or baboon.  

The lake provides the visitor with one of Kenya’s best known images.It has become widely known for its birds, who come to the lake to feed on algae. They move back and forth, feeding and taking to flight, filling the sky over the lake with color.

Flamingo watching is the best thing to do in Lake Nakuru, as it is home to a huge flamingo population, swelling to more than 1.5 million at times. Annually, the pink flamingos flock to Lake Nakuru in record numbers. 

Lake Tanganyika

Being one of the 10 largest freshwater lakes in the world and the second deepest, Lake Tanganyika is the longest lake in the world. 

It forms the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania and also borders Burundi to the north and Zambia to the south. 

As an attraction, the lake's blue waters make it significant to swimmers; sport fishing is also a draw.

Lake Nyasa

Similar to Lake Victoria, Lake Nyasa is part of the African Great Lakes system. Bordered by Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique, it's the third-largest lake in the East African Rift Valley system. 

The Nyasa or Malawi beaches are magnificent tourist attractions, whereas Tanzania beaches such as Matema Beach are less developed.

Lake Albert

Sometimes known as Lake Mobutu Sese Seko, Lake Albert borders Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It plays as a significant source of the White Nile river. 

Reaching only 80 feet in depth, the lake is relatively shallow. However, it's the fourth largest of the Rift Valley lakes, in terms of surface area.

Visitors are especially interested in the wildlife and forest preserves around the lake, as well as Murchison Falls National Park.

Lake Kivu 

Located in West Rwanda, Lake Kivu is Rwanda’s largest lake and the sixth largest in Africa. The lake is surrounded by stepped mountains and deep green waters covering a surface area of 2,700 km2. 

The lake is a great spot for swimmers. It has a cool temperature and is crocodile free, hippo free and bilharzia free. Besides, Kivu is dotted with beaches along the lakeshores with fine sands and mild sun to relax.  

Going on a walking tour on the beaches of lake Kivu is a must. A walk at the shores of the lake with the cool breeze is an unforgettable experience.

For adventurers, hiking is a good choice to enjoy after a long safari.