Africa is often described as a land of lush rainforest, vast savanna, and arid desert. But the continent is also famed for its long meandering rivers and some of the largest lakes on the planet. In fact, Africa boasts an astonishing collection of beautiful lakes, with many sharing borders with more than one country. These expansive bodies of water attract a huge variety of wildlife and provide local populations with ways to make a living, from fishing, for example, and the harvesting of salt. If you're planning to visit Africa anytime soon, be sure to include a lake or two in your safari itinerary. Already packed?
Click through this gallery for a list of some of Africa's greatest lakes.