Geographical Context: Located on the eastern Tanzanian coast, south of the Malagarasi River basin, Cape Kabogo (5°27’42″S, 29°44’50″E) is a dynamic transition zone within the East African Rift Valley. Lake Tanganyika is one of the world’s oldest and deepest freshwater ecosystems, providing a remarkably stable environment that has remained largely unchanged for millions of years.
Physical Dynamics: The underwater landscape forms an intermediate zone where the steep, rocky littoral shoreline gradually transitions into deep sandy beds. In shallow water (0-15 m), wave action keeps large boulders free of silt. As the slope decreases, the rocks become smaller, forming rubble fields that gradually merge with fine, alkaline sand.
A defining feature of this habitat is the extensive accumulation of empty Neothauma tanganyicense gastropod shells scattered across the sandy plains. The water is exceptionally clear, with visibility reaching up to 20 m, high dissolved oxygen levels, a stable pH of 8.5-9.0, and temperatures ranging from 24-27°C.
- GPS
- -5.4616671, 29.7472229
- Geographical region
- Eastern Africa
- Drainage Basin
- River catchment
- Water body type
- Lake
- Water body name
- Tanganyika
- Water body part
- Open water
- Water body course
- Water body: tributary of
- Tributary name
Videos above and below water
