Beautiful Lakes and Rivers of East Africa: East Africa is truly rich with spectacular geography and extensive ranges of climates. Inextricable from that timelessness are the many lakes and rivers that abound in the sceneries of the countries that include Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. These water bodies supply not only beauty in views but also necessities for the people, plants, and animals in East Africa.
The disputed and largest, as well as most famous, lake in the region must undoubtedly be recognized as the Victoria one. It is the biggest inland water body of freshwater borders Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya. Stretching over 26,000 square miles and containing more than 200 billion cubic meters of water, Lake Victoria is deservedly called the second Largest Fresh Water Lake. It is an important supply of fish and transport for the East Africans. The coastlines of Lake Victoria have equally exceptionally diverse tropical forests in the region. For tourism, people travel on the lake through ferries to other islands and at the same time, populations get to watch beautiful sunrise and sunsets over the lake.
A second one of East Africa’s Great Lakes, Lake Tanganyika is the second deepest lake in the world. This clear blue lake has outstanding marine life and is located near Tanzania, DR Congo, Zambia, and Burundi. Tanganyikan Baroke Basin also has beautiful and scarce animals and plants for instance; the cichlid fish, sponges, snails, and shrimp species that are endemic to Lake Tanganyika. When my colleagues and I took a boat tour of Lake Tanganyika, the proximity to hills that offer breathtaking views of the rich landscape that drops to the water’s edge came in handy. To be in the middle of the mountains and forest when in a boat on Tanganyika is something to admire.
Though the list contains few gigantic lakes compared to other continents, the ones present also consists of beautiful sights and biodiversity. Lake Kivu in Rwanda produces gas methane for power whilst offering fertile soil for planted crops. As one of the freshwater fish-producing zones in Kenya, lake Naivasha is well supplied with hippos and over 400 types and styles of birds around the area. Situated in Uganda and passes through wetlands, and rainforests, and one is taken through a view of the waterfall. Indeed, every traveler to East Africa has some special thing to discover on the lakes.
The rivers in East Africa add the finishing touches by feeding stunning impressive wetland systems that host some of the cherished Biodiversity in East Africa. The imposing Mtns of the Moon contribute the Victoria Nile and Lake Kyoga wetlands in Uganda famous for bird watching. The floodplain found in the Kilombero Valley in Tanzania is usually flooded by the Kilombero River and the wetlands are used by animals such as hippos, lions, elephants and buffalos. Adventures have fun through mountainous channels while white water rafting the Ruzizi River of Rwanda. Rivers across East Africa feed the geography and bring forth immeasurable plant and animal spectators that fascinate people.
Whether it is an early morning boat ride along Lake Victoria, taking a boat tour on Lake Tanganyika to see hippos, or trekking along one of many streams that cross the region, the myriad and might of the lakes and rivers of East Africa never cease to awe any visitor. These geographical endowments bring income and resources, but also stunning scenic images, and irresistible travel dreams which tourists will always cherish in their minds even after leaving the shores of the East Africa Sea. And thus, when on your next East African adventure; do not fail to take scenic tours of these lovely lakes, wetlands, and rivers of the region.
