Why you should visit Lake Victoria : “The Pearl” or “Pride of Africa” are the marketing names for Lake Victoria. One of the largest lakes in the world, it is well known for its breath taking scenery, luscious tropical islands, and exquisite seaside resorts and hotels. Because Lake Victoria is home to more than 200 different types of fish, it is a popular site for African fishing tours.
Situated in the three east African countries and a region known for its great safari tours especially the great migration where over a million wildebeests , zebras and antelopes move from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Because the area is reaping the benefits of enhanced infrastructure and greater investment in the hospitality sector, Lake Victoria has seen a rise in tourism throughout time. The Lake Victoria basin offers a diverse range of lodging options, from quaint fishing camps to upscale hotels, private resorts, and safari lodges. In addition to having a notable archaeological site and a large number of heritage sites, Lake Victoria is also rich in history. The lake region is a birder’s heaven because of the amazing variety of bird species that can be found on the enormous network of islands.
Lake Victoria is situated near the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and other well-known safari tour locations in East Africa. It stretches over the borders of Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. Following a Big 5 safari vacation to the Serengeti and other well-known game reserves in East Africa, it’s a well-liked add-on destination. You can combine a vacation to Lake Victoria with an unforgettable gorilla tour in Uganda or a safari tour in Tanzania’s Serengeti. If you want to go chimpanzee trekking but are unable to enter the dense forests of Rwanda or Uganda, you can travel to Ngama Island, which is located on the Ugandan side of Lake Victoria. A protected chimpanzee sanctuary is located on the 100-acre island.
Islands of Lake Victoria
The bulk of visitors to the great lake region come for a variety of outdoor activities, with the islands of Lake Victoria serving as the primary draw. Options include hiking, walking trails, mountain biking, birdwatching, and boat trips in addition to fishing.
Naturally, a lot of people travel to Lake Victoria in order to have a wonderful ‘beach’ vacation at one of the several resorts and hotels that along the lake’s edge.
Why you should visit Lake Victoria : Mfangano Island
The primary attraction of Mfangano Island, which is on the Kenyan side of Lake Victoria, is its prehistoric rock paintings. The earliest people to live in the island region are said to have been the Bantu Pygmies of Uganda. It is estimated that the Mfangano Island rock drawings date from between 1.000 and 4.000 years ago. The murals have remained unaltered because the locals dread and venerate the location itself.
The island has two main locations: Kwitone, a rock shelter located further inland, and Mawanga, a cave near the lake.
Why you should visit Lake Victoria : Ssese Islands
The Ssese Islands are a remarkable archipelago consisting of eighty-four heavily forested islands. They comprise the district of Kalangala. There are two primary groups of Ssese Islands:
- Koome Group in the north-eastern region is called after Koome Island, the largest island in that group.
- Bugala Group in the southwest is named after Bugala Island, the largest island in the archipelago
The Koome Channel divides the two groups of islands.
These four islands are well-liked choices if you’re thinking about taking a vacation to Lake Victoria:
Why you should visit Lake Victoria : Bugala Island
The largest island in the Ssese archipelago is Bugala Island. It encompasses about 270 square km. Situated at Lutoboka Bay, the island is easily accessible by ferry and is the most developed in Lake Victoria.
Ssese Islands’ principal settlement, Kalangala, is situated on Bugala Island’s easternmost point. People can travel to and from Bugala Island via two ferries. The busiest ferry departs from Nakiwogo pier, which is situated south of Entebbe, and arrives at Kalangala ferry pier. The second ferry connects the town of Luku’s ferry pier with Bukakata, which is situated close to Masaka. Numerous fascinating bird species and a remarkable variety of fauna may be found on Bugala Island.
Why you should visit Lake Victoria : Banda island
The little island of Banda is under private leasehold management. There are lots of activities on the island, as well as a clean campsite and inexpensive lodge. Popular activities include birdwatching, canoeing the entire island, hiking through the rainforest, and trolling for Nile Perch in a Kato or speed boat, in addition to lounging on the sandy beach.
Although there is bilharzia in the seas around the island, there is very little chance of contracting the parasite because no community resides there.
Why you should visit Lake Victoria : Bulago Island
Bulago Island, which should not be confused with Bugala Island, is a small island spanning around two square kilometres. Its rough shoreline is made up of low cliffs and rocky outcrops, and it has six kilometres of sandy beaches. A dense rain forest envelops the island’s north-eastern point.
Sailing on Lake Victoria is a popular activity on Bulago Island. The island’s lodge rents out tiny sailboats and windsurfers. Tubing and water skiing are also a lot of fun. Because the island is small, you can stroll to the rainforest to observe birds or take a leisurely walk around the entire island. An island paradise for birdwatchers is Bulago.
Why you should visit Lake Victoria : Ngamba Island
Ngamba Island in Lake Victoria is home to a protected chimpanzee sanctuary, it has become a more popular tourist destination. In order to provide for the needs of orphaned chimpanzees saved from poachers and merchants in wildlife meat in Uganda, the sanctuary was established in 1998.It is a little island, about 40 hectares in size, entirely encircled by a dense jungle. With more than 120 bird species, it’s a birdwatcher’s paradise with a diverse range of fauna.
Observing the chimpanzees in their native environment is the most delightful aspect of travelling to Ngamba Island. For their safety, the chimps are housed in a private location, but they are allowed to wander about the wooded area. In order to stop infections from being transferred from humans to the primates, visitors must show confirmation that they are currently up to date on their vaccines.
Guests lodge in immaculate safari tents with private bathrooms and a view of Lake Victoria’s Ssese Islands.
