Famed as the source of the world’s longest river – the Nile, Lake Victoria lies within the heart of Africa, shared between the countries of Uganda (with 45%), Tanzania (with 49%), and Kenya 6%. Covering an area of 68.000square-kilometers, Lake Victoria is the largest inland sea in Africa and world’s largest tropical lake in the world.
Lake Victoria is dotted with over 950 scenic islands including Ssese and Koome Island archipelagos boasting tranquil waters and quite forested shorelines offering a perfect getaway holiday adventure.
Geography
Lake Victoria lies within a shallow depression between the western and eastern arms of the great East Africa Rift Valley with a surface elevation of 1134m asl. It falls within the larger Lake Victoria basin that covers over 195.000square kilometers across 5 East African countries. This vast basin is fed by various rivers, where the Akagera River is the biggest and the furthest, originating far high up in the Rwanda and Burundi montane rainforests.
This vast inland sea is dotted with scenic islands Lake Victoria maintains an all-year tropical climate with two wet and dry seasonal variations. It is encompassed by vast wetlands, riverine forests, tropical forests and fast-growing population of over 40m people.
The Naming of Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria was first documented by a European named John Hanning Speke, who was part of the Africa expedition to locate the source of the Nile River. As they explored the African hinterland, John Hanning Speke and his team arrived first on the southern shores of a vast expanse of water body that the locals called, Nyanza. Overwhelmed by its size, John Speke named this vast body of water, Lake Victoria after the British Royal.
Journeying along the northern shorelines, John Hanning Speke found the only exit from Lake Victoria and there declared Lake Victoria as the source of the world’s longest river – the Nile.
Attractions and Things to do on Lake Victoria
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Explore the scenic Ssese Islands
Ssese island is Lake Victoria’s most scenic and popular getaway destination comprising of 84 diverse islands. The Ssese islands are connected to the main land from Nakiwogo landing site near Entebbe and Bukakata landing near Masaka where both public ferries and boats leave to several islands.
Activities to do while at Ssese islands include; variety of water sports, beach camping and sports, boat cruises between islands, birdwatching, and hikes through lush forested islands.
Ssese islands boast a variety of accommodations from basic camps, to the exclusive facilities offering suiting all comfort levels private retreat on quite beaches and away from bustle of the shorelines.
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Explore the Scenic Dolwe Island
Tucked away on the northeastern part of Lake Victoria, Dolwe (Lolwe) Island offer a perfect escape adventure for family or a solo traveler seeking solitude in nature far away from the bustle of the cities. Famed by its mysterious rock paintings, Dolwe Island boasts an untouched and off-the-beaten-path charm with dramatic scenic landscapes of towering granite rocks popping up of blue waters and lush forested lake shores teeming with birdlife and primates.
Key activities on a visit to Dolwe Islands include; Rock Art Site tour which include fascinating local folklore about these mysterious paintings, hiking to look out points, fishing and boat trips around the island.
Dolwe Island is accessible by a public ferry from Bwondha Landing Site in Mayuge District, or a chartered Speed boat from Jinja or Entebbe.
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See the Chimpanzee up-close at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Located only 23km or 1hr boat ride off Entebbe mainland, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is a popular day-trip destination. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is a home to over 50 orphaned and recued chimpanzees where they are rehabilitated and given a chance to live in a semi-natural habitat on the island. Tours to the island offers the visitors a chance to see the chimpanzee up-close, learn of their complex social structure and humanlike attributes famed for its excellent chimpanzee viewing. Day trips to the island are leave on either a morning/afternoon schedules from Entebbe.
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Spot fishing for the Nile Perch
Lake Victoria offers great fishing opportunities especially for the Nile Perch. Introduced in 1950’s for commercial purposes, the Nile Perch is the most abundant in Lake Victoria. Large and a fierce predator, the Nile perch can grow in excess of 1.5m and weighing close to 200kgs.
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Leisure Boat cruises
Lake Victoria offers scenic boat cruises experience where options include; Equator line crossing cruise, sunset /sunrise cruises, island tour cruises and more.
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Birding for the Shoebill at Mabamba wetlands
Mabamba Bay Wetlands lying on the north-west edges of Lake Victoria near Entebbe is part of a vast wetland system that cover the entire western edges of this vast inland sea. These wetlands are recognized Important Bird Area for their importance to bird biodiversity including the rare Shoebill.
Mabamba Wetland is community ran initiative that offers the best access and a chance to encounter the prehistoric Shoebill and other wetland species.
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White water rafting near the mouth of the Nile River
Offered near the mouth of Nile River, white water rafting is the most popular adventure in the region. Trips to this adrenaline-thrill expereince are expert-led and begin near Jinja City that lie on the northern edges of Lake Victoria.