World’s Toughest Boat Trips | Tanzania | Free Documentary

World’s Toughest Boat Trips | Tanzania | Free Documentary

This series explores some of the most fascinating and hard-core boat journeys on the planet. We undertake epic journeys by boats in some of the toughest environments on earth. During our journeys we look at how the technology of boat travel has been adapted to survive, trade with and connect isolated communities.

Starting his journey at the southern end of Lake Tanganyika, the world’s largest freshwater lake, Zay travels north for over 300 miles on the extraordinary ‘Liemba’, which is not only said to be the world’s oldest surviving passenger ferry, but also has an incredible wartime history. The imposing 230 foot long ship, originally named the Graf von Goetzen, was built in 1913, when Tanzania was part of colonial German East Africa. At the start of WWI in 1914, the ship was converted into a warship, fitted with powerful guns to fight ships from nearby British and Belgian colonies. In 1916, however, the ship’s German commanders were forced to scuttle it in order to prevent its capture by the British or Belgians. The location of the sunken ship was soon discovered, and when the war ended in 1918, the British and Belgians attempted to lift it up from the lake bed. In 1924 it was finally raised to the surface, and astonishingly, despite being underwater for 8 years, was in good enough condition to be placed back into service as a passenger ship. Today, a century on, it continues to provide a vital service ferrying hundreds of local Tanzanians up and down the lake. After a fantastically enjoyable two-day journey aboard the Liemba, stopping at remote villages along the way, Zay disembarks at Kigoma, towards the northern end of Lake Tanganyika.

Heading on from there in a ‘lake taxi’, that is a small overcrowded open boat carrying over 100 villagers together – Zay reaches Gombe Stream National Park, where he goes trekking through the forest in search of wild chimpanzees. Zay’s luck is in, and he has a rare and remarkable encounter at close quarters with an extended family group of over 20 chimpanzees. 150 years ago, the central African region around Lake Tanganyika was a main location where slaves were captured, an estimated 1.5 million of whom were force-marched over 750 miles to the coast of the Indian Ocean, before being shipped by dhow to the slave market on the island of Zanzibar off the Tanzanian coast.

For the last part of his journey Zay follows this tragic and traumatic trail, sailing on a traditional working dhow trading goods to Zanzibar. Traders have sailed the Indian Ocean for thousands of years in these tough and historic boats, whose design has barely changed since the days they carried slaves. The ocean crossing by dhow is a spectacular though poignant end to Zay’s once-in-a-lifetime Tanzanian adventure.
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[FreeDocumentary]

Starting his journey at the southern end of Lake Tanganyika, the world's largest freshwater lake, Zay travels north for over 300 miles on the extraordinary 'Liemba', which is not only said to be the world's oldest surviving passenger ferry, but also has an incredible wartime history.

Heading on from there in a 'lake taxi', that is a small overcrowded open boat carrying over 100 villagers together - Zay reaches Gombe Stream National Park, where he goes trekking through the forest in search of wild chimpanzees.

150 years ago, the central African region around Lake Tanganyika was a main location where slaves were captured, an estimated 1.5 million of whom were force-marched over 750 miles to the coast of the Indian Ocean, before being shipped by dhow to the slave market on the island of Zanzibar off the Tanzanian coast.
For the last part of his journey Zay follows this tragic and traumatic trail, sailing on a traditional working dhow trading goods to Zanzibar.

[guenthermichaels]

What is more impressive is that this ship was built in Germany in 1913, disassembled and shipped to Tanzania in 5, 000 crates, then transported overland to Lake Tanganyika, and reassembled. The German company that built her is still here today. Meyer Werft a private family owned company since 1795 and builds some of the most Iconic cruise ships in the world.

[nancydrew]

I really don’t know what the few ppl on here are complaining about. The host is very respectful, has a great sense of humour and quite humble. This is an amazing documentary. The people are wonderful and I would love to visit someday. Love from Canada 🇨🇦!

[murymih]

Tanzanians especially in rural areas are good and friendly people. ✌️✌️🇰🇪🇰🇪

[peterllewellyn]

I’ve worked on Lake Tanganyka. The reason the Liemba survived that long time underwater is all due to the high Ph of the lake water. Being very alkaline it inhibits the growth of rust.

[savvytherealsavage]

The train travel is nostalgic...
My mom's dad worked for East African Railway...and my dad worked for the Kenya Railways retired in 2000.
We used to travel on the old train like this from Nakuru to Mombasa every holiday...

I miss the lunatic train adventure.. 😂

[bobsingh]

Great host. keepin' it real while being respectful. no false politeness.
This took me so far away, I needed that. And when he found his own private beach, I cheered!
Could I travel in such crowded conditions???

These lake-side dwellers need more water-taxis!!

[electrapo]

The tour guide at the church had a wonderful husky voice.

[martinngatia]

Zay did an amazing job of showcasing MV Liemba, Gombe Stream National Park, Train Journey and the Dhow. Thank you.

[altodeule]

Lake Tanganyika, is indeed beautiful. Hongera kwa filamu simulizi nzuri, karibu tena Tanzania.

[ronniematrix]

That is the natural world, beautiful Africa adventure.

[Iankevins]

Am Kenyan 🇰🇪 much love for Tanzania the place is underrated 🇹🇿

[ayoubnaushad]

This mzungu really enjoyed his stay. I am glad he did. Tanzania is a beautiful country. He probably did stuff that locals havent experienced. Kudos to u besutiful video. Best of luck

[ontjamba]

You forgot to mention. She was built in Germany. Disassembled and transported in 5000 boxes, shipped to the port of Dar es Salaam, transported by rail towards lake Tanganyika and carried the rest of the journey lake Tanganyika. Excellent craftsmanship

[saudsaidalbalushi]

One of the most adventurous trip you conquered and was very lucky to witness especially the Gombe with those chimps thanks for sharing this unforgettable experience

[robbie]

One of the best documentaries I've ever seen. Great host and content. Very well worth watching. THANKYOU

[ulimbombonaulindi]

My old man used to work in Kigoma in the 80s. I've never been on the Liemba but I remember vividly that we used to admire it at while it sailed. That very train was our only way out of Kigoma every December, in those very "first" class cabins, it was just as old as it seems now. This is very nostalgic. Thankfully the government is building a more modern standard gauge railway, soon there will be electric trains to Kigoma.

[MosesNjau]

Am Kenyan but am inspired to visit Tanzania

[MN]

Happy you came to bagamoyo. Grew up there as my parents own and run Travellers Lodge Bagamoyo.
Great feeling and memories watching this. 2 things I noticed. You could have paid 50 dollars if your lucky, 100 maximum.
Second off and this is rather important. Bagamoyo roughly translates to "lay down your heart" they said it not as a way of giving up hope. They said it as they didn't know where they were being taken to, and so they could take there body, but there heart will always stay in Africa. Or, you can take my body, but not my heart, that will lay here.

[muniurimiru]

Such an amazing and well documented trip of my East African neighbouring country. Really loved the documentary and I am certainly doing the trip soon all the way to Zanzibar.