Travel Guide Kasanga

Kasanga, the last decent port on the Tanzanian coast, is located south of the lake near the Zambian border and has a history: it is the former Bismarckburg. The imposing ruins of its fortress can be seen on the peninsula west of the ferry pontoon. Bismarckburg was the site of heavy fighting during the First World War. The Germans used it as a base to push the British and Belgians out of the area, and to conduct raids on land and on the lake. Two Belgian ships sank the poorly armed steamer Von Wissman in front of the harbour. South African reinforcements finally forced the Germans to withdraw to their centre, Tabora, on 6 June 1916. Today, Kasanga is a commune made up of three villages scattered across the bay. The closest to the pier is Lusambo, the furthest is Muzi.