Here is the list of lakes in Africa. Africa has the largest number of great lakes in the world. Having a total area of 30 244 050 Km2 makes it the second-largest continent worldwide.
Of this, 30 000km3 is covered by water (lakes). Making it the largest volume any continent has. Most of these lakes are located in the great lakes region around the East African Rift. Which covers 25% of the world’s unfrozen freshwater.
Below we take a look at some of the 10 great lakes in Africa. Read on.
List of Great Lakes in Africa
1. Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria is the largest freshwater lake in Africa and the second-largest in the world. Its located on the borders of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda and covers a surface area of 26,600square miles.
Its deepest point is 272 feet and holds a volume of 660 cubic miles of water. Several rivers drain it Lake Victoria, for example, River Nile.
The main activities on Lake Victoria are fishing. It is also a tourist attraction that you want to pay a visit. It has beaches and hotels where you can go on holiday and enjoy the breeze.
2. Lake Tanganyika
While Lake Victoria is the largest freshwater lake in Africa, Lake Tanganyika is the longest freshwater lake in the world.
It is located on the borders of Tanzania, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, and Burundi. The biggest part of the Lake is in Tanzania and Burundi.
Lake Tanganyika covers an area of 12 700square miles and its deepest point is at 4820 feet. The Volume of water in this lake is 4500 cubic miles.
The main activity on lake Tanganyika is fishing. It is home to the Cichlid fish species.
There is also ferry transportation between Bujumbura and Kigoma.
3. Lake Nyassa
Lake Nyassa is also known as Lake Malawi in Malawi and Lago Niassa in Mozambique. It is the second deepest lake in Africa.
With 11,400 square miles surface area, It is located between Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique.
Its deepest point is 2316 feet and holds 2000cubic miles of water. Tilapia fishing happens on the southern side of the lake.
4. Lake Turkana
Located in the northern part of Kenya. Lake Turkana is the largest alkaline and permanent desert lake.
Among the largest saltwater lakes in the world, it takes the fourth position and the 24th largest lake in the world.
Its surface area is 2473 square miles, its deepest point is 358 feet.
Fishing is the main economic activity on Lake Turkana.
The central island is one of the major tourist attractions on the Lake. It is home to over 40 species of fish, Flamingos, hippos, and crocodiles.
5. Lake Albert
Its surface area is 2000 square miles, holds 32 cubic miles of water and its deepest point is 167 feet.
It is the world’s 27th largest lake and the seventh in Africa. Its main water sources are Semiliki and Victoria Nile rivers.
Its located between Congo and Uganda. It’s approximately 100 miles long and its width is 19 miles.
The main activities are fishing. In fact, the number of fish in this lake has reduced because of overfishing.
It is also home to wildlife making it an ideal place for a game drive.
6. Lake Edward
Lake Edward is the smallest in size of lakes in Africa. Located between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, it covers an area of 898 square miles.
It has a capacity of 9.5 cubic miles and its deepest part is 367 feet.
Fishing is the main activity on the lake. It is also home to wildlife such as elephants chimpanzees, crocodiles, and lions.
These animals are protected by the Virunga National Park.
7. Lake Rukwa
According to history, Lake Rukwa ones linked Lake Tanganyika to Lake Malawi. It covers a surface area of 2220 square miles and is 110 miles long and 20 miles wide.
Lake Rukwa is situated in the southwestern part of Tanzania.
The main activities here are fishing, beekeeping, wildlife agriculture, and forestry.
8. Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is on the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Its surface area is 1040 square miles, a volume of 120 cubic miles of water and a depth of 1575 feet. Its main outlet is the Ruzizi River.
The people around this lake are fishermen. But as a tourist, you get to enjoy swimming hiking, windsurfing, and other water spots.
9. Lake Mweru
Lake Mweru is also a freshwater lake just like Lake Victoria and Tanganyika. It is located between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This lake lies on the longest side of the Congo River stretching 68miles of the Zambian and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
10. Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru is located in Nakuru Kenya and has no outlets. Its surface area is 1.9 – 17 square miles and is 6 feet deep.
Main activities around the lake are fishing and its also home to Flamingos making it a great tourist attraction site.
Finally, if you plan on visiting any of these sites it is imperative that you check with the different customs departments or tour guides in your area.
To some countries, you will need the right travel documents while in others like the East African Region all you need is an identification card.
