Lake Taganyika, Tanzania
October 4th, 2009
After the glorious (and very real) safari tour in Tanzania, my last stop was to Lupita Island Lodge, a private island located in the middle of the world’s second largest lake; Lake Taganyika. A fresh water lake with a maximum depth of over a mile, Lake Taganyika is a skinny sliver running down the western coast of Tanzania and bordering Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zambia.
Its blue green waters shockingly resemble the Caribbean while the rocky islands feature curious granite boulders and very little fauna. Then again, it was just before the rainy season so apparently it gets far more lush after the rains. Either way, after being hot, sweaty and tormented by flies in the Bush for a week, I was more than ready to bathe in the Lake’s cool water.
Lupita Island from the air
I arrived via chartered flight from Katavi National Park and landed on an airstrip that was stunning in the purest form of the word. Just look at this arrival!
The little hut on the right is the terminal where we unloaded our massive amounts of luggage and supplies for the Lodge. Its also where we were met by the local luggage handlers – all too eager to carry our bags down to the awaiting boat.
Most of this was food supplies for the Lodge
Beyond adorable, these little boys insisted on carrying our bags and refuse any sort of tip other than a smile and thank you
Once on the boat, with the breeze streaming through my hair and the spray from the Lake cooling my sunburn, I could truly marvel at the size, color and overall setting of Lake Taganyika. I recall thinking, where the heck am I? We zoomed across the chop to Lupita Island passing by locals on boats and arriving at the island. Our first view was the dock and its local resident, Roddy the goat.
The dock at Lupita Island Lodge
Once on land we were ferried up the hill in golf cars (if you squint you can see them parked under the center hut in the photo above). At the main house of the Lodge we were greeted by the two women that run the show at the Lodge and refreshing cool towels. After a nice lime-flavored drink I, along with the group, was shown to my private cottage room. My room, number 5, was, of course, the farthest from the main house, tucked down two separate paths plus a small staircase and enclosed by tress and chirping birds. The distance from the main house (center of activities and all meals) ensured my penchant for being late was firmly consistent and that my butt got a good workout a few times a day but, most important, total seclusion. No matter the trudge, every time I arrived (finally!) to my room, I was caught by the refreshing, natural layout, treehouse type style and most of all, the intimate view over the lake.
The open-air plan with thatched roofing and wood deck flooring
The comfy plantation chair with the plunge pool on the deck below below
The best feature of my room was without a doubt, the bathroom. From both the shower and the tub the views of Lake Taganyika were uninterrupted. Even the toilet had a prime vista.
One of the best soaks in a tub I've ever had
As a special romantic touch, the staff will fill the tub with local flower petals, line the deck floor with candles and leave a champagne bucket right alongside the tub all as a delicious surprise for the guests arriving back from cocktails on the water.
Activities at Lake Lupita Lodge include kayaking, swimming, diving, snorkeling, plus there’s a full gym, gorgeous lakeside spa, a games room with table tennis, pool and darts and a Boma and huge terrace bar ideal for the transition from fireside cocktails to late-night dance parties. The island is ideal for a family or group takeover with 14 cottages and two family suites. Having the run of the island makes every element even more fun. It appears that what happens on Lupita Island.. stays on Lupita Island.
