Top things to do and see at Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake: Lake Victora is a natural wonder with a rich history and ecological significance. Lake Victoria is the largest freshwater lake in Africa, with a surface area of about 68,800 sq. km shared between Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The catchment area of the lake covers 180,959 km2, and 15.9% of this is constituted by Uganda. The lake was earlier called Queen Victoria by the British explorer John Hanning Speke in 1858. The lake was known by various local names, such as ‘Nam Lolwe’ in Dholuo and ‘Nnalubaale’ in Luganda. Lake Victoria, where the source of the Nile River, the world’s longest river, begins to meander its way from Jinga to the Mediterranean Sea, the lake contains over 84 beautiful islands, including Sese Island in Uganda, which is a famous tourist destination. Lake Victoria is home to a diverse range of species, including the famous Lake Victoria Cichlids, which are known for their incredible variety and adaptability. This magnificent freshwater body plays a crucial role in the economies of the surrounding countries by providing resources for irrigation, transportation, and hydroelectric power.
Top things to do and see at Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake.
Visiting Nyamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Visting Nyamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary is one of the thrilling things to do on Lake Victoria. Nyamba Island is now home to 49 orphaned and confiscated chimps, rescued from the illegal pet and bush meat trade. Besides their initial trauma, the fascinating chimpanzees living at Ngamba have a safe and semi-natural environment in which to recover and eventually thrive over their long lives of up to 60 years. This island covers an area of approximately 95 acres of natural forest, where these fascinating habituated chimpanzees roam and forage daily. While on a Uganda safari in Nyamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, you have daily. While a chance to encounter these fascinating creatures in their habituated family and observe how they behave in their habituated environment like breastfeeding, carrying their young ones, feeding, playing, and fighting among others.
Birding at Mabamba Bay Wetland
Mabamba bay wetland is located on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, the lake is famous for its extraordinary birdwatching opportunities. Mabamba Bay Wetland is home to over 300 different kinds of beautiful birdlife species, making it the true bird haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. The wetland is comprised of tranquil waterways, lush vegetation and marvelous lake views that boast a charming environment for birding in Mabamba Bay wetland. Mabamba bay boasts a diverse ecosystem encompassing papyrus reeds, open water channels and floating vegetation, offering a cool habitat for a variety of bird species. during your birdwatching tour in Mabamba bay wetland you will have a chance to spot different kinds of birds including migratory birdlife such as elusive shoebill stork, African waterfowl, kingfisher, herons, Black-crowned Waxbill, Black-headed Heron, Black-winged Stilt, Blue Swallow, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Cattle Egret, Common Moorhen, Common Sandpiper, Common Squacco Heron, Double Toothed Barbet, Glossy Ibis, Goliath Heron, Great Cormorant among others.
Exploring the Entebbe Zoo (Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, UWEC)
Entebbe Zoo, which was opened in 1952 by the Colonial Government in Uganda, was a reception center for wild animals that were found as casualties (sick, injured, orphaned, confiscated from illegal trade, and for other educational reasons). This captivating zoo is situated on the shores of Lake Victoria, with forested cages of wild animals for tourism and education. The zoo offers both domestic and foreign tourists great chances to see animals such as lions, elephants, giraffes, crocodiles, leopards, birds like the shoe bill, and many others. During your visit to Entebbe Zoo, you will be able to see the animals of Uganda and the ecosystems in which they live, as well as how they eat, play, and walk.
Visiting Ssese Island
Ssese island is one of the Islands you shouldn’t out when on your exploration in Lake Victoria, is a tropical Island and one of the famous destinations to explore while in Uganda. Ssese Island is one of the world’s hidden gems, and the finest island to explore. The Island is commonly visited by many visitors and a tranquil Island can be reached either by boat, ferry or even a domestic chatter. Ssese island offers visitors remarkable activities such as horseback rides, birding, hiking, Nile Perch fishing and ATV quad biking among others, making it the best place to chill out and relax. Ssese Island also offers an astonishing and pleasant environment to its visitors.
Sport fishing
Sport fishing is another exciting activity offered while on Lake Victoria. Lake Victoria is famous for its exceptionally rich fishing grounds, offering opportunities for both recreational and commercial fishing. Visitors on an Uganda adventure safari on Lake Victoria can also try their hand fishing for Nile Perch, tilapia, and catfish among others. while planning to take part in this fascinating activity, visitors should wear protective safe gear like life jackets and be mindful of weather conditions and potential hazards on the water.
Besides the mentioned activities, there are other amazing things to do and see while on a Uganda safari on Lake Victoria, such as visiting the source of the Nile in Jinja to learn about the history, chill-out and relaxing along the Nile River, having sunset cruise on the River Nile and Lake Victoria, experimental Bungee jumping into the river Nile at Jinja, white water rafting on the Nile in Jinja, jet-boating on the Nile in Jinja, horseback riding along the Nile river/Jinja, Sail from Entebbe to Jinja across the lake on the MV Vanessa, Entebbe Botanical Gardens, Trip to the equator crossing point on Lake Victoria, Exploring the Lake Victoria Islands: The Beaches on Lake Victoria
Where to stay around Lake Victoria
There are a lot of stunning accommodations where tourists can stay while exploring Lake Victoria. The accommodation options range from resorts, luxury mid-range and budget levels such as Victoria Forest Resort, Serenada Eco Resort, Pelican Lodge and Marina, Forever Eco Resort, HomeOnTheNile Lake View Double, Via Via Entebbe, Victoria Sands Lodge, Ssese Habitat Resort, Eco Resort Kasenyi, Lake Victoria Country Home, Country Lake resort Limited among others
This concludes the top things to do and see at Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake.
