Top Things To See And Do Around Lake Victoria

The top activities to see and do around Lake Victoria vary from water to offshore activities. Lake Victoria is the largest fresh water lake in Uganda and is shared with Kenya and Tanzania but the biggest portion of it is  found on the Uganda side.

Lake Victoria was discovered by John Speke European explorer as the head waters of River Nile which is the longest River in the world. The River Nile crosses countries including Uganda, South Sudan, The Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia. 

Even though Uganda is a land locked country with no coastline, the presence of Lake Victoria and others water bodies in the country make up for some of the activities to do on the on the larger water bodies. Below are some of the activities to do and things to see around Lake Victoria

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Lake Victoria

The presence of Lake Victoria as the largest fresh water lake in Africa is an attraction on its own. May who travel to Uganda, water to see this lake that was formed by down warping. The size of lake Victoria I 68000 square kilometer but the part of it in Uganda is about 45%.

This is a fresh water lake which is amazing and a rich aqua source in Uganda and beyond. When on a visit in Uganda, tourists may take off sometime to enjoy the view of Lake Victoria and its surrounding

Beach holiday at lake Victoria

The sandy beaches around Lake Victoria are incredible to spend time at. Some of the beaches have accommodations where you may spend time while other are open for excursions. Most of the beaches around Lake in Uganda are situated in Entebbe area but you can get chance to explore in others areas. Some beaches around Lake Victoria are public while others are private so you can take sometime off to enjoy the cool breeze t the shore.

While at the beach, you may choose to tastes a Uganda cuisine that is freshly harvested fish from lake Victoria and others additions that accompany the meal. Note that most of the beach areas around lake Victoria may not be on the of world standards but worth visiting and spending time at. During holidays and weekends in Uganda, the beaches around Lake Victoria are populated by locals.

Boat Cruise on lake Victoria

Taking a boat trip on Lake Victoria is marvelous as you get the opportunity to enjoy the cool breeze, the ever green vegetation surrounding the lake, watch the fishermen cast there nets, may visit the Islands in the lake and so much more. You can decide to mark some memorable moments while on a boat cruise in Lake Victoria. Arrange a sunset boat cruise to watch the sun casting its rays over the lake surface as day time gives way for night time to take charge.

Sports fishing around Lake Victoria

Anglers on Uganda safari may get the chance to catch some fresh water fish in Lake Victoria. You need to acquire fishing permit and have a boat captain to take you to the points where this activity happens. During the sports fishing experience on Lake Victoria, you may catch fish species including tilapia, lung fish, cat fish, Nile Perch and others.            

Around lake Victoria are a number of fishing villages where you may get the chance to interact with the locals. Get the opportunity to know more endogenous fish species that they may catch in Lake Victoria and there local names. Some of the prominent  fishing villages in Uganda Include Kasenyi fishing village in Entebbe, Kasensero fishing village in lwengo district, Sisa fishing village in Mukono district and others

Interacting with the local fishermen gives you insight into the way of life for the people whose life depends on the supplies from lake Victoria.

Visit Islands in Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria has a number of Islands each functioning differently even though they also have some similarities. If you donot have a private boat, you can use public vessels to get to these Island that is ferry services. Ssese Island is one of the recognized special Islands within lake Victoria with clearer blue waters, white sandy beaches, amazing green cover and much more. Honeymooners and others wishing to enjoy tranquility may choose to spend time at Ssese Island.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Island on Koome Island in Lake Victoria is home to chimpanzees that have been rescued from captivity. These chimpanzees have been victims and may not get chance to return to there communities. You can participate in feeding the chimpanzees from the feeding platform, chimpanzee up close, keeper for the day and others.

Musambwa Island in Lake Victoria is a home to a number of birds and different snakes that co-exist with humans. This Island is special and it is believed that females are not allowed to step on it so it is a male dominated area. It is a fishing village too so one of the main economic activities in this area is fishing.

Mujingo Island is a controversial Island that is fought for between Uganda and Kenya. On this Island there are several locals who spend time here and catch fish in the waters around this part of Lake Victoria. A tour of Mujingo Island in Lake Victoria is unbelievable.

Visit Caves Around lake Victoria

Around lake Victoria there are several caves and other features you can enjoy. For a better photographic experience during a visit around Lake Victoria, there are some locations you can choose. There is Mugula cave in Entebbe with some mythical beliefs, the Kasenyi fishing village caves where you can enjoy some photographic experience.

Nature walks around Lake Victoria

Around lake Victoria are several forests where you can take nature walks. Some include Botanical gardens in Entebbe where some primates are residents some include black and white colobus, olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys and others. The Mabira falls which is the largest natural forest in Uganda is situated close to the shores of Lake Victoria. In Mabira forest, you may get the chance to spot a number of birds, primates, other animals and others.

Birding around lake Victoria

The shoreline of Lake Victoria is often flocked by several birds which you may get the chance to spot during the visit. The shores of some of Lake Victoria have some RAMZAN sites including Lutembe beach area. The water birds you may spot around Lake Victoria include king fisher, saddle billed stork, fish eagles, cattle egrets, marabou stork, horn bill stork and others.

Source Of River Nile On Lake Victoria        

The source of River Nile is on Lake Victoria in Jinja as discovered by John Speke in 1826. At the point where Lake Victoria separates with River Nile water, there is drama as River Nile water emerges from the ground with momentum as through showing its doing on a journey and Lake Victoria water slowly gets away. This dramatic appearance at the source of River Nile is mysterious and more is required to understand what may be happening below this area.

Visit Religious center Round lake Victoria

At lake Victoria shores there are religious points that are memorable including the Bugungu area where the first catholic missionaries landed to start there mission in Uganda. The Uganda martyr’s shrine in Munyonyo where the first murder of these celebrated Uganda religious men was done. Even the local religious believers have worship centers around the Lake Victoria.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Areas Around Lake Victoria

The best time to visit Lake Victoria areas is when you are ready but for outdoor activities around the Lake, the dry season is most preferred. The dry season is normally June to October and December to February.

Lake Victoria covers a big area and you can explore it from different parts close to it. Note that in the dry season, expect other tourists especially on the beach areas. For bird watching experience around lake Victoria, the dry season is most preferred as a number of birds flock the shores and surrounding areas.

The wet season may not be bad time to arrange a visit to areas around lake Victoria but outdoor activities may not go on as arranged. The wet season is normally March to May and November when more rains are expected to fall but you can still carry on with the activities.

Expect more water to fill up and increase the water level even the shores are often covered with water when more rain falls.

How safe is a tour Around Lake Victoria

To take a tour around Lake Victoria, it is safe because there are security agencies from the Uganda government who keep law and order in and around the lake. When on the boat cruise, you need to wear your safety gears just in case you get an emergency.

Do not try to swim in the deeper waters of Lake Victoria especially if you are not a professional swimmer because you can end up drowning. Ensure to acquire a fishing permit before going on a sports fishing adventure around Lake Victoria because you may get into trouble with the law makers.

In case Lake Victoria gets rough from the winds that are sometime strong, it is best to withdraw from it especially when swimming because it may get dangerous.

The local fishermen understand the dynamics of Lake Victoria that you may not know so in case they advise you about not attempting the lake during a certain time, try to follow there advise to protect yourself from the possible outcomes. Respect the norms of the people who live around the lake especially if you wish to get more information about the way they survive around the lake Victoria areas.      

What is the cost of a Tour Around Lake Victoria

The cost of a tour around Lake Victoria varies with the activities you wish to do including boat trips, chimpanzee viewing, birding, community visits and others. You can arrange accommodations situated close to Lake Victoria that are categorized into luxury, mid, range and basic.

Ensure to tailor an itinerary that covers most of the areas you are interested in and around lake Victoria in order to avoid missing the best spots and back tracking.

Having or hiring a boat to take you around Lake Victoria is one of the ways to get you to most parts.

What to Pack For A Tour Around Lake Victoria

• A pair of binoculars to capture a closer look of the surrounding of Lake Victoria especially the different land forms around the shores.
• Canvas shoes especially if you have to walk as the ground is sometimes very soggy and also your feet need to be protected from the rough surfaces along the way.
• Insect repellant to keep away biting insects that may cross your way like mosquitoes. Uganda is a tropical country where you may have some harmful insects that may make you uncomfortable with a bite.
• Rainproof proof gears especially during the wet season. During the rainy seasons, it gets so much and may prevent you from proceeding with the visit.
• Safari hat or cap to protect your head from the dust and buzzing insects
• Sun glasses to protect your eyes from buzzing insects.
• Some warmers because Uganda experiences cold conditions early morning and late afternoon.
•  Foldable drinking water bottle to quench thirst during the Tour of Lake Victoria
• Some clothes to wear while traversing lake Victoria. Be mindful of the culture of the communities in Uganda so that you donot appear to offend them.
• First aid kit in case of an emergency in case you extend your tour to other destinations of Lake Victoria. It should also contain prescribed medication from a professional doctor.
• Extra batteries fully charged to exchange with in case you one runs low.
• Duffel bag so that you can carry your belongings in case you have to help yourself.
• Some cash to use for on ground purchases as credit cards are no easy to use in Africa because of the lengthy process of collecting money from them.
• Snacks to munch on when you are in Lake Victoria in case you get hungry.
•  A camera to keep memorable moment while on a visit to Uganda there many moments that happen
• Flip flops to wear while relaxing at your lodge or hotel

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