Lake Shore Lodge & Campsite — Hotel in Rukwa Region

I have always wanted to dive in Lake Tanganyika, as I have kept fish from this lake off and on for over 30 years. My wife gave me the thumbs up to try to set something up. I checked the website for Lakeshore, it looked good, and so I contacted Louise. She responded quickly, and what I thought would be a week or so in TZ, became a month long vacation for my wife and I, with a week and a half arranged by Louise and Chris. ||||We came from Dar es Salaam through Mbeya, and then to Lakeshore/Kipili. It is a tough place to get to...but is is so worth it. Louise put us in the Honeymoon Suite. The first morning I arose about 5am...and saw a hippo swim past my room...quite a welcome! ||||I will say that Louise and Chris are amazing to stay with. They really work hard to meet/exceed your expectations and needs. and they are a pleasure to be around. They had a very large group from the Netherlands visit them while we were there, and this group consumed them and their staff...but they always made time for my wife, Crystal, and I. ||||We dove multiple times near the lodge, as well as snorkeled a couple of times (Chris is a certified dive master). We visited the old mission ruins, and were guided by one of their employees (Lazaro) through the village of Kipili...that was really fun! The chalets sit right on the beach facing west...some gorgeous views. ||||After a week at Lakeshore, Chris took us and one of their chefs to Mahale National Park for a 3 day stay. We stayed in the park bandas, and had all our meals served on the beach looking at the lake. We trekked with the chimpanzees and dove for 2 days. Both activities were spectacular. We were the only visitors in this part of the park during this time. We spent a lot of time with Chris, who is a terrific person, and Dismes (sp?), our chef, made our meals exceptional! After Mahale, Louise had set us up to go to Katavi...what a park!!! We had the whole place to ourselves! She put us in Mbali Mbali, where Yasin and Fabian, and their team spoiled us...and we saw so much wildlife in a much quieter setting than the Serengeti.||||The staff at Lakeshore was outstanding. They employ people from the local village, and they were a lot of fun to be with. ||||Again, I must compliment Louis. She made suggestions on how we should do this part of our trip, and answered all the silly questions I had. She even made excellent recommendations for the rest of our trip (Leopard Tours in the northern parks, Nungwi in Zanzibar). She always answered quickly, and she always made me feel like I was a priority. I felt like I knew her before I even met her in person.||||Louise and Chris have the sign at the entrance that says "Come as guests, leave as friends". Well, that is exactly how we...

If you've read any of the reviews it should be clear that Lake Shore Lodge is an exceptional place that delivers a very special and warm experience.

That's all true.

What you probably don't know yet is that Lou, Chris and their staff/family look after you like nowhere else I've been. You'll be treated as visiting family and they go over and above exceptional hospitality to look after and entertain you.

They have a genuine interest in the wellbeing and comfort of all guests that is also evident in their relationship with their staff and community.

They're extensively involved in the local community and support amazing programs (the cichlids on a nearby island and curtailing illegal fishing in the lake are but two such programs). The 17 years since building the lodge with their fluent Swahili anchor them in the community.

They're extremely knowledgeable about the local bird, fish and animal life and you'll be able to pick their brains on all other matters too.

The environment is luxurious and every small detail has been carefully considered. The food (vegetarians are also well catered for) is exceptional and the service is amazing. The lodge falls into the luxury category but with pricing is more in line with normal accommodation in Africa.

The staff will become like family too (a shout out to Nordick aka Noddy and the friendly but well-behaved dogs).

The lake itself is probably the most beautiful lake in Africa and sets itself apart from Lake Malawi, Lake Victoria and Lake Kariba. It is a different type of beauty to Zanzibar but a beauty I personally prefer.

It has taken me over 10 years to finally get to the lake, and 4 years since first talking to Chris and I regret not getting there sooner. But I will be back often!

I can only wholeheartedly recommend to anyone travelling through Western TZ to put Lake Shore Lodge on your itinerary. And for anyone planning a visit to TZ, I recommend making this a stop on your journey.

Asante Sana to Lou, Chris and...

The Lake Shore Lodge is a very special place, located directly on Lake Tanganyika, about two thirds of the way between Kigoma and Mpulungu as the crow flies. Since the MV Liemba no longer travels up and down the lake, it is even more remote than it used to be. Whether coming from the north or the south, it takes two days by road. The most convenient way is to fly to Mpanda and from there take the roads towards Kipili. The owners, Lou and Chris, have lovingly transformed this lodge over the last 25 years into a leisure and relaxation paradise. All kinds of water sports are offered, as well as cycling and even a small golf course. If you just want to do nothing and relax, this is also the place for you. Since the rising water level of the lake has made some of the very comfortable chalets unusable for the time being, visitors still have the nice bandas, which are simpler but certainly comfortably furnished. There is a huge park-like area with great plants and beautiful trees where you can walk and relax in lounge chairs and seating areas. The restaurant offers a rich breakfast, lunch and an above-average dinner. And the most important thing at the end: Lou and Chri are fantastic hosts, always approachable and helpful, but the entire staff is also always friendly and attentive to the guests. You can tell that the entire complex has been in existence for 25 years. But this is also part of the charm of the Lake...