Getting to Lake Shore
Lake Shore sits on the remote eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika — wonderfully far from the everyday, but easier to reach than you might think.
With flights into Sumbawanga and road transfers directly to Lake Shore, getting here has become considerably simpler. For travellers coming through Katavi and western Tanzania, Mpanda remains another option, while the adventurous can still arrive by road.
The journey is part of the adventure. The lake at the end of it is worth every kilometre.
The End of the Road. The Beginning of Something Extraordinary.
Far from the crowds, on the wild shores of Lake Tanganyika, Lake Shore Lodge is a journey worth making.
Flying to Sumbawanga
Sumbawanga is now the easiest gateway to Lake Shore.
Air Tanzania operates flights between Dar es Salaam and Sumbawanga, bringing you to within around three hours by road of Lake Shore — a huge improvement on the long journeys traditionally associated with reaching this part of Lake Tanganyika.
We can help arrange a private road transfer from Sumbawanga Airport directly to Lake Shore. The drive takes you west through the Rukwa landscape before dropping down towards Lake Tanganyika and Kipili.
Flight schedules can change, so we recommend checking current Air Tanzania schedules when planning your journey.
Fly to Sumbawanga. We’ll help with the rest.
Combine Lake Shore with Katavi
If Lake Shore is part of a wider western Tanzania adventure, Mpanda is another useful gateway.
Mpanda provides access to Katavi National Park, making it possible to combine a wild and wonderfully uncrowded safari with a few days beside Lake Tanganyika. From Mpanda, the journey to Lake Shore is approximately five hours by road.
We can help you plan the connection between Mpanda, Katavi and Lake Shore, whether the lake is the beginning of your journey or the perfect place to slow down at the end of it.
Bush first. Lake afterwards. Not a bad combination.
Coming by Road
For those travelling overland, Lake Shore can be reached by road from across Tanzania — and getting here under your own steam can be a wonderful part of the adventure.
The final journey into Kipili takes you through some of the quieter corners of western Tanzania, far from the main tourist routes. Road conditions vary with the season, so journey times can change and a capable vehicle is recommended.
If you’re planning to self-drive, contact us before you set off. We’re happy to advise on the best current route, road conditions, fuel stops and the final approach into Kipili.
Take your time. Enjoy the journey. We’ll be waiting beside the lake.
Transfers & Travel Help
Getting to this part of Tanzania takes a little planning, and we’re very happy to help.
We can assist with arranging private road transfers between Lake Shore and Sumbawanga, Mpanda and Katavi, and help you work out the most practical route for your particular journey. We are proud of our long association with Kapufi Adventures, who have seamlessly transported our guests for the last 7 years.
Because flight schedules and road conditions can change, we prefer to help with the details once we know your travel dates rather than give you information that may be out of date.
Tell us where you’re coming from and when you’d like to arrive.
We’ll help you find the best way to the lake.
Where We Are
Lake Shore Lodge is in Kipili, on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania's Rukwa Region.
We're tucked away beside the lake, looking out across the Kipili Archipelago towards the mountains on the western side of Tanganyika.
Remote enough to feel like you've properly escaped. Connected enough that getting here no longer needs to be an expedition.
Lake Shore Lodge · Kipili · Lake Tanganyika · Tanzania