Lake Victoria the largest lake in Africa and second Largest in the world after Lake Superior in North America is found in Entebbe town. In terms of volume it’s the ninth largest lake in the continent of the world with the volume of 2,750km3 with water mass approximately 68,800km with about 84 islands all located in the 3 countries of East Africa which share it.
Its 400,000 years relatively young and was formed when the upper west river was formed, concavely lies in Abertine Nile and lake Basin segment great lift valley.
It was discovered by the explorer John Speke who later on named the Lake Victoria in honor of Queen Elizabeth Victoria II who was sent by rein of England. The lake is shared by 3 countries of East Africa that is to say; Uganda by 45%, Kenya 6% and Tanzania 49% with 3.7% length of the islands.
Lake Victoria receives its waters from direct rainfall and small stream by 85%, River Kagera is the largest river flowing into it and it’s drained by the source of river Nile in the Eastern part of Uganda by 15%.
This lake has different local names Nam lolwe in Luo a local tribe in the Northern part of Uganda, Nyanzi in Kinyarwanda and Nalubale in Luganda thou it has other local Bantu languages. However it has ever dried up 3 times 17300 years ago and refilled during 14700 years.
The lake provides a lot of activities for example;
» Bird watching a round the shores to view different bird species for example kingfisher, African Eagle, fish eagles nesting around the fig trees at the shores.
» Fishing is carried out the lake like Nile perch, tilapia of which is the most economically important. These fish are big weighing about 80kg thou they are more than 200 species of fish.
Attractions on Lake Victoria include;
» You can also visit one of the islands at lake victory Ngamba Island (chimpanzee island) which is a home to the orphaned chimpanzee. There are 49 chimpanzees on the islands which were rescued by the Uganda wildlife Authority from smugglers and poachers
» Other islands which can be visited are; Ssese, Bugala, Buvuma, Pyramid, Bubembe, Damba, Bulinyugwe, Bugaia, Mabamba, Migingo, kome, Rubondo, Rushinga, Ukerwa, Bussi, etc. These islands support Africa’s largest fisheries since fishing is the main activity carried out on these islands and bird watching activity like spotting out different bird species as shoe-bill is the main bird species to be seen on waters.
» You can also enjoy a boat ride on Lake Victoria as part of your excursion seeing the waves of the lake and enjoying the reflection of the sun on the lake during sundown.
Guidelines: The lake is not suitable to swim in or wet yourself because it’s disease ridden with malaria caused by mosquitoes and Bilharzia.
Lake Victoria has a number of highlands which are thought of during your arrangement of Tour for example Ngamba Island for chimpanzee tracking, Mabamba Island for bird watching like the shoebills and Ssese Island for birding, boat riding, nature walks, and many more activities.
Safari destinations around Lake Victoria
Safari packages