Travel Guide Kalemie

Formerly Albertville, Kalemie is an urban-rural city with a total surface area of 30,000 km². It lies on the western shore of Lake Tanganyika, which separates the DRC from Tanzania and Burundi. It is one of the main towns in the region, which has never been densely populated, mainly due to epidemics of sleeping sickness and raids by Arab slavers. This explains its relative isolation. Its geographical location, straddling the green Graben mountains (Rift Valley) and the vast blue expanses of Lake Tanganyika, makes this region quite exceptional.The capital of Tanganyika province, with a population of 270,000, Kalemie is criss-crossed by Boulevard Lumumba, home to stores and offices. The crystalline colors resulting from the sun's effect on the waters of Lake Tanganyika give the city an idyllic blue sky. Kalemie is bordered by a magnificent beach on the lake, where you can enjoy a drink and savour Tanganyika cuisine. There are hotels of international standing. The Kalemie stadium also attracts many events. Kalemie is accessible by air, rail, road or lake. Kiswahili is the language of communication. Lingala is also spoken.