The western lakes
Although Livinsgstone and Speke crossed western Tanzania over a hundred years ago, it still remains one of the most unexplored regions of Africa. Lake Victoria is the world's second largest lake and Lake Tanganyika is the world's longest fresh water lake. On Lake Victoria, Rubondo Island is an extraordinary phenomenon, almost a Jurassic Park that has evolved its own birds, foliage and animals.
Further south, bordering Lake Tanganyika, are two of the most inaccessible parks in the continent, Gombe Stream and Mahale Mountains, where you can see and hear chimpanzees screaming in the forests. Behind the mountains, and in complete contrast to Mahale, lies Katavi, the forgotten park, which is dry and arid but excellent for lion.