It took me 2 years of living in Tanzania before finally heading out to Lake Jipe, simply because it first took me a year and 11 months to know it even exists. To say it’s off the beaten path is an understatement, especially if you approach the lake from the Tanzanian side, so this is definitely not a place where you’ll risk running into 100 other visitors. Let’s go!
What & where is Lake Jipe?
Lake Jipe is a shallow lake on the border of Tanzania and Kenya, about 2 hours away from Moshi in northern Tanzania. It’s located just east of the northern Pare mountains which dominate the view during the ride and on the lake. On the Kenyan side you can see Tsavo National Park and if you’re lucky you might spot some of the larger animals like elephants as you can’t go super close without going into Kenya. The Holili / Taveta Tanzanian / Kenyan border is only a good hour away from the village of Jipe.
The lake is home to lots of fish, birds, hippos and crocodiles, even though the last two can normally only be found on the Tanzanian side of the lake from June to August. The locals that live in the villages around the lake live from fishing and agriculture, and it is with the fishermen of Lake Jipe themselves that you’ll be heading out onto the lake.
A typical feature of the lake is the – sometimes huge amounts of – reeds on its shores. The wind determines how much reeds you’ll find exactly but no matter what, the main strategy of the fishermen to get onto the open part of the lake is ‘forward and onward’ so if there’s a lot of reeds, you’ll have to go through them. And THAT… is exactly what turned our trip into a memorable adventure.
Our Lake Jipe visit
We drove to Jipe without much preparation that morning, but we knew a guy who knew a guy who knew a guy that lived in Jipe and called him on the way. It still took quite some time to get everything arranged, as the reeds were extremely dense and the fishermen weren’t sure it would be possible to get through them. We finally left with almost 2 fishermen per boat instead of the usual 1, and we were soon to discover that even with twice the manpower, this wasn’t going to be an easy task.
I can’t say I was particularly reassured as we approached the lake and saw the condition of the boats and I’m still not sure if my second fisherman was actually there to push away the reeds or to scoop water out of our boat non-stop instead. But – spoiler alert – we made it back without having to swim. Not that I’d have been much wetter had that been the case but with the crocodiles and all… probably for the best anyway.
It took us about 2 hours to get through… half of which consisted of getting pushed or walking OVER the dried reeds on the water surface instead of rowing by. Two hours of squeezing the entire lower body in order to keep the boats stable for those in the boats, two hours of sweating their butts off for the fishermen outside of the boats. In some areas you could just see large ‘bushes’ of reeds rolling around over the water surface, with potential passage ways quickly opening and closing again.
And then finally, there it was. The open lake, with still some reeds here and there but views all the way to Kenya in front of us and the Pare mountains in our back. We didn’t go during hippo spotting season so there wasn’t any of that, but we spent about an hour on the lake and took the time to eat on a kind of reed ‘island’ in the middle of the lake and it was just beautiful.
After lunch, it was time to head back as the fishermen want to try to use the same paths that we used to come and if we wait too long, these might close again. The view was now determined by the Pare mountains right in front of us, and it was simply beautiful.
It still took us almost an hour and a half to get back to the starting point and by that time it was too late for us to still head out to the nearby waterfall. And honestly… we were tired and stiff from sitting in that tiny boat for several hours, getting dragged over reeds or trying to avoid being slapped in the face by one. Apparently it’s beautiful and not a very long walk, so I’d definitely recommend you check it out if you have the time. When there’s less reeds on the lake, the boat ride can easily be 2 hours shorter, leaving more than enough time.
Is Lake Jipe worth a visit?
As I mentioned, during our visit we weren’t able to see hippos or crocodiles in the lake, or elephants in Tsavo National Park but the presence of the reeds turned our trip into a nice adventure. I can imagine that when there’s less reeds, it becomes more of a simple boat tour on a lake but with what I’ve heard about the waterfall, I still think this can be a really nice day trip. The views are just beautiful, and this is what these fishermen do almost every day of their lives. Heading out to the lake to go fishing and provide food for their family, finding their way through the reeds for more than an hour if they have to. So if you’re interested in not just the most spectacular sights that have very little or nothing to do with how the people here actually live, I’d definitely recommend adding Lake Jipe to your itinerary.
How to get to Lake Jipe & how much it costs
Anyone who’s been following this blog in the past and knows me a little bit, knows I’ll always organize things myself if possible. But for this trip, I genuinely think you’ll lose too much time trying to get it organized if you don’t go with somebody who knows the area and at least speaks Swahili. And by that I mean you might actually not have enough time left to properly do your excursion and get back before the dark. The sun goes down around 6.30 – 7 PM in Tanzania and it’s not recommended to be traveling around in the dark. Transport also stops around that time or just a bit later. None of our 9 fishermen (for 5 visitors) spoke English and even speaking Swahili, it took us quite some time to get them to accept a reasonable salary (by reasonable I mean more than decent but still much less than half of what they’ll initially ask you). We were also there to try out this trip to see if we could add it to our tour business’ offer and it’s only when they heard this that we got a fair price. Be aware there’s also no direct public transport to Lake Jipe from Moshi so you’d have to change busses a few times, making the drive much longer than 2 hours.
With all this I’m pretty sure you won’t be (much) cheaper off organizing it yourself and you’ll lose a lot of time, so I’d recommend using a tour operator to organize this trip for you. At Mawenzi Adventures we organize it if you’d like to book it in combination with a safari or other excursions, and there’s a few other companies that organize it just as a day trip so you should be able to find one for sure.
If you use a tour operator that sells good quality tours, pays their taxes, offers good salaries to their staff and pays the fishermen properly, this package should cost somewhere between 80 and 120 USD per person, depending on your group size. Count around 80-100 USD for groups of 4 people and more and between 100-120 USD for groups of 2 to 3. Of course the cost of transport and your guide are shared, so the more people in the group, the cheaper it gets. These prices should include private transport, an English speaking guide, the entrance fee to Jipe village, the salaries of the fishermen, the entrance fee to the waterfall, lunch and drinking water.
How about you? Had you heard about Lake Jipe? Would you go there?
I’d love to hear from you below in the comments!
Wow! That is such an interesting lake tour. Lake Jipe sounds so adventurous. Didn’t you feel like being in a Tomb Raider movie?
By the way, did the fishermen only drag the boat with you sitting in it or you also have to walk on the reeds (on the water surface)?
I mostly felt that I was constantly squeezing every muscle in my body in order to sit stable in that boat while they were dragging it over the reeds haha 😀 They dragged us whenever there wasn’t a stable mass of reeds covering the water surface but we did get out of the boats several times when the surface was full of reeds. When they were dragging us they often had a part of their legs in the water as well and they sure got wet so I think they wanted to save us from getting too wet or making a wrong step and going under.
Wow! That must have been quite adventurous.
I really appreciate this post! It reminded me of when I took a Color blind test recently—quite an interesting experience.
They genuinely dragged the boat even as I sat in it, which felt surreal—like gliding throughout a sea of inexperienced. At one factor, I did step out to stroll at the reeds, and it was quite company underfoot. It jogged my memory of the way project writers frequently convey the load, however on occasion you need to step in and experience the ground your self. The entire experience was both calming and eye-establishing.
nice post.mostly felt that I was constantly squeezing every muscle in my body in order to sit stable in that boat while they were dragging it over the reeds haha They dragged us whenever there wasn’t a stable mass of reeds covering the water surface but we did get out of the boats several times when the surface was full of reeds. When they were dragging us they often had a part of their legs in the water as well and they sure got wet so I think they wanted to save us from getting too wet or making a wrong step and going under. https://arabicpoems24.blogspot.com
The landscape is wonderful. Let’s play Stumble Guys game with me
We appreciate you submitting this information. I am thrilled to stumble onto this excellent article.
This was a great a read and informative content.
Did the fisherman only pull the boat while you were seated in it, or did you also have to walk on the reeds?
Left till here away at to whom past. Feelings laughing at no wondered repeated provided finished. It acceptance thoroughly my advantages everything as. Are projecting inquietude affronting preference saw who. Marry of am do avoid ample as. Old disposal followed she ignorant desirous two has. Called played entire roused though for one too. He into walk roof made tall cold he. Feelings way likewise addition wandered contempt bed indulged.
“he 4ers jacket is a must-have for any outdoor enthusiast, and our website is the perfect place to find the best deals and discounts on this top-rated product.
Many types of typing tests (monkey type) are available to suit different skill levels and preferences.
The video game was released around 2015 and included sixty different levels. An instant later, the total was 90 levels.
Core ball is an addictive online game that you won’t be able to put down! Zigzag your device to higher ratings.
Make your next birthday unique and fun with personalized birthday cards paired with a handpicked happy birthday quotes and wishes from Feliz Cumpleanos to make that special someone’s day extraordinary.
Make your next birthday unique and fun with personalized birthday cards paired with a handpicked happy birthday quotes and wishes from geburtstagswunsche to make that special someone’s day extraordinary.
And then finally, there it was. The open lake, with still some reeds here and there but views all the way to Kenya in front of us and the Pare mountains in our back. deutsche porno We didn’t go during hippo spotting season so there wasn’t any of that, but we spent about an hour on the lake and took the time to eat on a kind of reed ‘island’ in the middle of the lake and it was just beautiful.
I’m grateful for the information you presented in this well-structured text. Thank you!
Economics students know how important it is to have quality essays that reflect a deep understanding of economic concepts and phenomena. Therefore, I would like to recommend you to pay attention to economics essay writing service https://essayservice.com/economics-essay-writing-service !
This service provides an opportunity to order an economics essay written by experts in this field. They guarantee high quality of work, supporting it with research and analysis based on actual data.
Hello everyone, I would like to recommend a casino for Austrian players https://bizzo.casinologinaustralia.com. The platform offers a wide range of bonuses and incentives, including welcome bonuses, loyalty programs, and special promotions. These rewards not only add extra excitement to the gaming experience, but also provide additional opportunities for big wins. Whether it’s free spins, bonus money or exclusive prizes, the site always rewards its loyal players for their continued support.
I’ve always been concerned about the cost of healthcare, particularly eye exams since they’re a vital aspect of overall health. I came across this link, https://optyx.com/health/how-much-does-it-cost-to-have-an-eye-exam-in-new-york/ , which provided a comprehensive and clear explanation of the costs involved. This was quite a relief and allowed me to continue with my eye exam without the fear of hidden expenses.
I’ve been using these take-out containers from this place I found online for a while now, and they’re a total game changer. They are sturdy and hold up really well, even with saucy or heavy foods. The 16 oz size https://mcdonaldpaper.com/coldline-g8e-b-9-cu-ft-22-inch-single-glass-door-black-merchandiser-refrigerator-with-led/ is perfect for most meals. Here’s the link, if you’re interested. They come in a case of 450, which lasts for quite a while!
This was a very engaging read, thanks.
The mouse clicker test is a fun and effective way to challenge yourself and improve your clicking speed. Whether you’re a gamer or just curious about your reaction time, this test provides a quick and easy way to see how fast you can click within a limited time frame.
https://www.deviantart.com/clicktest0/about
Hello, my name is Taya. Wild Joker Casino login provided a smooth experience and a fantastic array of games at https://wild-joker.casinologinaustralia.com/. The bonuses were generous and added excitement to my sessions. Customer support was responsive and always available when I needed help. Withdrawals were processed without delays, making
What a hidden gem! Lake Jipe sounds absolutely breathtaking. I love how you’ve highlighted this off-the-beaten-path destination in Tanzania—such a unique place that many travelers overlook. Your description of the lake and surrounding nature makes me want to add it to my travel list immediately!
HI
hj
Such great insights in this post! I appreciate how you made the topic so easy to grasp. Looking forward to more of your content! If you’re interested in children’s shoes manufacturers in China, feel free to reach out!
Lake Jipe is really amazing! It is wild nature, not o much touched by human.
The Rice Purity Test is a harmless questionnaire designed to assess an individual’s exposure to a variety of situations. It poses no physical or psychological hazards. However, it is important to remember that the test’s questions may touch on sensitive issues or elicit emotional responses in certain people.
which provided a comprehensive and clear explanation of the costs involved. This was quite a relief and allowed me to continue with my eye exam without the fear of hidden expenses. https://repomod.com
The controls are intuitive, the character movement stickman hook is smooth, and the level designs keep things fresh and exciting. I also appreciate the funny stickman animations and the creative skins you can unlock — they add a lot of charm to the game. Overall, this game deserves way more recognition!
Featuring stunning graphics and immersive gameplay, Escape Road 2 takes the racing genre to the next level, delivering adrenaline-pumping action at every turn.
Wow, Lake Jipe sounds like such a hidden gem! It’s amazing how even after years of living in a place, you can still discover new spots like this. Thanks for sharing your adventure definitely adding this to my Tanzania bucket list!
Thank you very much for writing this piece and sending it to us. We like what you do
Thank you for shearing this artical i really appreciate it
i am from Volata Travels Sri Lanka
Wow, that sounds incredible! I totally understand that feeling of discovering hidden gems in a new place. Sometimes the best experiences are the ones you stumble upon unexpectedly. When I’m feeling similarly “off the grid” but stuck inside, I sometimes play the Dinosaur Game on Chrome just for a little digital escape! Your adventure to Lake Jipe definitely inspires me to be more curious and explore the unknown. Thanks for sharing!
Your blog is not only informative but also highly motivating—thank you for sharing. If you are interested in book publishers for new authors, feel free to explore trusted professionals who can help shape your ideas into polished content.
Steal a Brainrot is a perfect example of a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s why it’s so enjoyable.
Color personality tests are a fun and interactive way to learn more about yourself and your personality traits. These tests usually involve answering a series of questions or choosing colors that resonate with you, and then revealing your personality color and its associated traits.