Skip to content 
Lake Victoria
In its majesty, it is magnificent, regal, breathtaking, and intimidating! Perhaps these were the thoughts of John Speke when he first stepped on the beaches of Lake Victoria in 1858. His search for the Nile River’s source led him to the shores of a vast body of water he named Victoria after the English regal ruler. Even now, the lake continues to enchant and astonish the many visitors who visit its shores. Lake Victoria, also known as Victoria Nyanza, is the world’s biggest tropical lake and the second-largest freshwater lake after Lake Superior in Canada.
With an extent of 68,800 square kilometers (26,565 square miles), it may be considered a small inland sea. It is a freshwater body because it is not part of the Rift Valley ecosystem, unlike most of the alkaline lakes in the vicinity. Lake Victoria is shared by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, and has a maximum depth of 80-84 meters (262-275 ft). Rainwater, the Kagera River, and other small streams feed it, and it eventually drains into the Nile River to the north. Although John Speke is credited with the lake’s “discovery,” the Bassese tribe had lived alongside it and on its shores for generations before the arrival of foreign explorers.
What Are the Major Attractions Near Lake Victoria?
Lake Victoria also has another distinction: it is the home to the Ssese archipelago, a group of 84 large and small inland islands that has been named one of the world’s Top 10 Hidden Islands. The islands’ sandy tan-colored beaches, glistening waters, palm palms, and mild tropical breezes, along with the experience of an inland beach holiday in the heart of Africa, captivate discerning travelers looking for something out of the ordinary.
Each island has a unique ecology that is home to unusual birds, plants, and trees, as well as crocodiles, hippos, monkeys, and other smaller wildlife. The islets nearest to Entebbe are suitable for calm lakeside vacations or a quick stopover on your way home from an adventurous safari tour in Uganda’s parks and reserves. The lake’s proximity to Entebbe international Airport, the country’s principal entrance point, makes it easily accessible to the majority of the population.
Fishing
You’ll have no desire to leave the lake after spending time there! Look closely at the floating water hyacinth, papyrus reeds, and marsh plants for a hidden hippo. Lake Victoria is a birdwatcher’s paradise. You’ll be able to see numerous uncommon bird species with bright colors and patterns if you take a trip out to the little islets and along the banks of Entebbe. If you enjoy fishing, rent a boat and try to catch a 2 kilogram (4 pound) tilapia or a giant Nile perch. These may weigh anywhere between 8 to 80 kg (17-176 lbs). These fish have indeed broken records, with maximum weights pf up to 227 kilograms (500 pounds).
The lake once had 320 species of cichlids, a vividly colored tropical fish, of which only eight remain. This is mostly owing to the introduction of the Nile perch by British colonials in order to increase commercial fishing. This resulted in the extinction of the endemic species. Enjoy the sights of the lush green islands, which stand out against the pure blue of the lake waters and their bird and aquatic life. To top it all off, meet the locals in the picturesque, rural villages that dot the islands.
Island Tours
Lake Victoria, also known as Victoria Nyanza, is home to one of the world’s top ten hidden islands, the Ssese Islands. This archipelago consists of 84 islands, both tiny and huge. Each has a unique ecosystem with a wide range of exotic flora and animals, including crocodiles, hippos, and 450 different bird species. Visit the islands to see breathtaking meadows, lush rainforests, and swampy swamplands.
Spend some of your holiday time on a nature walk touring the islands in search of the wonderful variety of bird life. Always keep a look out for small island species like as monkeys, monitor lizards, otters, sitatunga, bushbuck, and others. Share a drink of the best fresh pineapple juice you’ve ever tasted with your family and friends, or sip excellent cocktails while watching the sunset from one of the islands’ rocky crags. Bulago Island, one of the principal islets, is at the heart of East Africa’s sole freshwater marine reserve. The Lacustrine Protected Area (LPA) was established to help restore fish populations and covers an area of 200 square kilometers
Birding on Lake Victoria
Even better, watch the majestic fish eagles descend from the skies into the lake in search of an evening meal. Admire their grace and perfection while mentally committing to doing the same whenever you go fishing! You might also see some of the migratory species that nest here, such as Abdim’s stork, Eurasian bee-eater, and white-throated bee-eater.
Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Ngamba Island
Ngamba Island, about 27 kilometers southeast of Entebbe, is one of Lake Victoria’s most visited islands. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is home to 50 orphaned chimps rescued from all over East Africa. The sanctuary is operated by The Chimpanzee Trust, an NGO that aims to protect chimps in the wild while also providing captive care for chimps that cannot survive in the wild. There are half-day and full-day visits to the refuge available, and chimpanzee enthusiasts can even stay overnight at Ngamba Eco lodge.
Mabamba Swamp
This marsh is located on the northern side of Lake Victoria and is Uganda’s most important birding destination. Over 300 bird species live in Mabamba, including the intriguing Shoebill. Birding in Mabamba is an unforgettable experience. You’ll board a traditional boat, and a local expert will lead you through the maze of waterways, informing you about the local ecology and the best photography opportunities. The Shoebill is more likely to be seen in the early morning, but you may also expect to see other fascinating species such as the African marsh harrier.
When is the best time to go on a Lake Victoria tour?
Most Laba Africa visitors to Uganda spend a couple of days in Entebbe or Lake Victoria to recover after long international flights or after a rigorous gorilla trek safari in Bwindi impenetrable national park. The inland lakeshore beaches and Ssese Islands offer opportunities for rest and relaxation before or after exhilarating, action-packed safari expeditions and game viewing in the country’s many parks and reserves. Uganda also receives a large number of business travelers who use Entebbe International Airport as their primary entry and exit point. The town’s proximity to Lake Victoria and its many tourist attractions makes it an ideal stopover.
Lake Victoria is best visited during the peak season of June-October for birdwatching, fishing, and bicycling. During the dry season, there are fewer water sources inland, causing a greater variety of birds to congregate around Lake Victoria. During these months, paths and bicycle trails will be drier and safer. The long wet season from March to May, on the other hand, can be an interesting time to explore Lake Victoria. If you don’t mind the rain and rougher waters, you can see Lake Victoria be revitalized by fresh blooms, grasses, and bird chicks.
Where to stay at Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria Hotel
Entebbe Protea Hotel
Brovad Sands Lodge
Mirembe Beach Resort Hotel
Lake Victoria Information
The continent’s largest freshwater lake. The location of one of the world’s ten best best-hidden islands. The Nile River’s source. Lake Victoria is all of these things and more. It is a beautifully gorgeous body of water that covers an area of 68,800 square kilometers and may be considered a tiny sea due to its 3,440-kilometer-long shoreline. As you will discover on your safari holiday in Uganda, the lake draws over 85% of its water supply from rainfall in the region.
Furthermore, several tiny streams, as well as the Kagera River, contribute to the filling of its 80-84-meter-deep basin, which has a volume of 2760 km3. Lake Victoria’s water only exit through the Nile in Jinja. The river flows over the famous Murchison Falls and into Lake Albert after a 500-kilometer journey. Following its exit, the river acquires the name Albert Nile before continuing north to Sudan and then Egypt.
Lake Victoria, lying between the three crucial East African nations of Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, became the center of dispute in Europe in 1858, when John Speke claimed that he had discovered the source of the Nile. Until his trip and eventual discovery, the origin of the famous river was unknown. Interestingly, in the 1160s, Arabian traders made maps showing that Lake Victoria was the actual source.
Beautiful Factual Natural Beauty
Geologists believe the lake is approximately 400,000 years old, but because its volume is reliant on rain and evaporation, its growth is subject to the whims of climate change. According to research, the lake vanished 17,300 years ago and resurfaced 14,700 years later. Today, it is an enchantment for tourists who come to enjoy the amazing natural splendor. The communities that surround Lake Victoria and the 84 Ssese Islands that dot its waters are home to a stunning mix of flora and fauna. This interior archipelago is known for its unspoiled beaches with tan sands and dazzling waterways teeming with Nile perch, tilapia, and other freshwater fish.
The islets, which vary in size, also support lesser animals and more than 200 bird species. Keep an eye out for hippos lounging in the shallows and crocodiles searching for an easy meal near the shoreline – keep an eye out!
Today in Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria, which serves as a supply of water, electricity, and a source of income for thousands of individuals in three nations, is also a subject of concern for environmentalists and naturalists. The Owen Falls and the Kiira Dam were erected to create hydroelectricity, and the lake’s resources are being strained as the huma population grows. By introducing the Nile perch into its waterways, European colonists unknowingly set off a chain of ecological events, the consequences of which naturalists are still assessing. While vacationing around the lake, you will most certainly observe a large carpet of aquatic plants floating on it.
Although it adds to the natural beauty of the lake, it is not native to the area and was imported from Brazil. The hyacinth weed has recently become more of an issue, clogging sections of the shoreline and affecting the fish population. Despite these obstacles, the lake has retained its beauty, reacting well to conservation efforts to conserve and preserve it.
