Lake Kiwu and its Islands 87 



whom Livingstone came in contact at Udjidji. But these reports 

 led to extremely dim conceptions of the lake, and it was reserved 

 for Count Gotzen to gain the first accurate knowledge of its 

 proportions and character. The count visited it on his journey 

 across Africa in the year 1894, and navigated its northern end 

 as far as Mugarura Island. Dr. Richard Kandt explored the 

 lake more thoroughly in the years 1898-igoi, and Kandt's topo- 

 graphical survey was finally completed by the German Congo 

 Boundary Commission. Ample data concerning Kiwu are to be 

 found in "Statements from the German Protectorates, 1904," 

 from the pen of Captain a. D. Herrmann and in Kandt's " Caput 

 Nili." Only the most essential facts concerning it need, there- 

 fore, be given here. 



According to Weiss's estimate the lake lies at a level of 

 1,500 metres above the sea, high up at the end of the Central 

 African rift-valley. It is loi kilometres in length and 50 kilo- 

 metres broad. The shores are extraordinarily cleft and rifted, 

 so that often, especially on the eastern side, they are strongly 

 reminiscent of northern fjords. The lake itself is framed in 

 by innumerable mountain crests and summits which rise to 2,800 

 metres and form ridges. Those in closest proximity are bare, 

 either steppe or arable land. Somewhat farther away glorious 

 and stately forests take their place. In addition to its rugged 

 shores this lake is characterised by its wealth of large and small 

 islands. The shores are only sparsely covered with sedge grass 

 and rushes, and are mostly shingly and incrustated with lime. 

 These incrustations, which point to a higher sea-level in former 

 years,* sometimes gleam out white from amongst the greenery 

 of the wooded island banks. Another characteristic of Kiwu is 

 the hot springs which are found on the north-eastern shore on 

 the peninsula of Irungatscho. Their temperature, according to 

 Kirschstein's measurements, rises to 72 degrees (Celsius). They 

 apparently form an attraction for fish, for in their vicinity the 

 primitive nets and baskets of the natives are often met with, 



• Kirschstein discovered that these formations rise as high as eight metres above 

 the present surface level of the lake. 



