About Lake Victoria

The Immense Lake Victoria is amazing holding about 2,750 cubic kilometers of water with an average depth of 40m(130ft) and a maximum depth of 84m(276ft). The shoreline is 7,142km (4,438m) and islands constitute 3.7 percent of its length a place so rare to find on a Uganda recreational safari. Lake Victoria is the source of the Nile River-the world’s longest river.

What to see at and near Lake Victoria Uganda

Wildlife in Lake Victoria includes mammals like the hippopotamus, African clawless otter, spotted necked otter, marsh mongoose, sitatunga, crane rats, giant otter shrew. The incredible reptiles to sight on a Uganda wildlife safari comprise of the Nile crocodile, African helmeted turtle and the Williams’ mud turtle restricted to Lake Victoria and other lakes, rivers and swamps in the upper Nile.

Birds, especially water birds can be sighted like the swamp fly catcher, Malachite king fisher, long-tailed cormorant at Makanaga swamp in Mpigi. A one-day birding tour to Mabamba swamp West of Entebbe is one of the best things to do on Africa’s fresh waters. It’s the best place to see the elusive shoebill stork, a shy bird that has prompted birders to plan birding safaris in Uganda. This swampland is accessed using a small canoe with a perfect view in the morning.

Entebbe botanical gardens within the settlement areas of the lake shore with a beautiful floral view is a good place to tour by nature lovers with a variety of flora species. You will see 115 bird species and several monkeys only on a one-day Entebbe tour in the beautiful environment.

Uganda wildlife Educational center in Entebbe also known as the Zoo is just within the shores of Lake Victoria good for relaxing and a walk to have an interaction with wildlife. When you want to see what Uganda’s wild holds, this place holds a summary of what is in the national parks. A morning encounter with the chimpanzees can also be planned at the Zoo.

Ngamba chimpanzee island sanctuary is one of the islands in Lake Victoria home to about 49 chimpanzees dominated by almost only chimpanzees. Its accessible by a speed boat on Lake Victoria a 45-minute boat ride from Entebbe. One day Ngamba Island safari is the best and fastest way of getting close to man’s cousins-the chimps in Uganda.

Dotted Ssese islands are an archipelago of 84 beautiful islands with unique features on each one of them. One of the best adventures on Lake Victoria is accessible by either ferry, boat or canoe. There other highlands known as Musambwa islands, Lulamba island, Buyovu Island, Damba island, Kome, Lwaji and Mpunge islands.

The Uganda reptile Village with over 20 reptile species is a short drive from Entebbe along the highway to Kampala-Uganda’s capital with all snake specie you wouldn’t imagine existed. This can be added to your itinerary of the one-day kampala city tour.

Lake Victoria isn’t just about the clear waters there’s a lot more you should not miss.