’The beach’ is actually two beaches, one on each side of a small peninsula.
Each beach is sheltered in a cove, and accessed by a winding footpath through the trees. There are small thatch-roof kibandas for shade, and a water tap by the car park. Families with small children appreciate the easy and shallow walk-in to the water, without sharp or slippery objects or sudden drops. Others enjoy the secluded nature of the beach. The water is bilharzia-free, and typically crystal-clear.
Any goldfish-dealer knows about Lake Tanganyika Cichlids. A decade-long research project has found a rich cichlid population, and a healthy ecosystem in general, at Jakobsen’s beach. Strap on your goggles and snorkel, and see them for yourself! If you don’t have your own, you can rent goggles, flippers and snorkels from us.
You can rent a kayak, sailboat or inflatable boat from us if you want. The staff will bring it to you.
We don’t offer this, but George does. He is a dive master who works with aquatic research projects. He arranges for equipment and basic training. Although we take no responsibility for the risks involved, visitors and his colleagues who dive with George strongly recommend him. Ask us and we can put you in touch with him.
Walking along the lake, to the lagoon, to Hilltop, or to the nearby fishing village to buy the latest catch, can be a relaxing activity. Ask the staff for the best route.
We have mountain bikes for hire. (20,000 TSh. per day.) Ask the staff.
It’s best to know beforehand that there is no restaurant here. All our accommodation is equipped for self-catering, so if you bring food from town, you can cook your own. Picnic on the beach? Barbecue on the sunset deck? Coffee and cakes under the mango tree? The choice is yours. (But don’t feed the monkeys. Don’t eat the zebras. Please!)
There is no bilharzia on our beach because there are none of the snails that carry the disease. (We check.) There are vervet monkeys, and if you are lucky you may catch a glimpse of a very shy couple of Clawless Otters.
/20 000 TZS = 9 Euros at the time of writing/
