THE TREASURES OF LAKE VICTORIA

The treasures of Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria is an inland "sea" located in East Africa and it is shared by the three East African countries with Tanzania taking the Lion's share followed by Uganda and Kenya taking the least. This lake is the world's second largest fresh water lake after Lake Superior in Great lakes region of North America, Africa's largest lake and the world's largest tropical lake. It covers a surface area of approximately 68,800 km sq. and depth of 83 metres. Lake Victoria was formed as a result of down warping where the tectonic forces caused an uplift of the adjacent land scape on both sides. The middle piece of land sunk forming a basin that was later filled with water thus forming a lake.

The treasures of Lake Victoria are seemingly attractive and are a haven for tourists worldwide, it being the source of the Nile River with the particular spot located in Jinja Uganda’s tourist town. At this place the extreme adventure lovers can do white water rafting which is an interesting and rewarding experience. The catchment areas of the lake such as the swamps are habitats for various bird species, Mabamba wetland for example is a home to the most viewed bird specie the Shoebill. Entebbe Botanical gardens which are a few metres from Entebbe International Airport are a dwelling hub for bird species such as the woodland kingfishers, African fish eagles, Great Blue and Ross's turaco among others. If you are planning a birding safari to Uganda, Mabamba wetland on lake Victoria shores and Entebbe Botanical gardens can be your starting spots to do your birding after which you can proceed to any of the 10 National Parks to watch your favorite bird species; Semuliki National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park, Murchison falls National Park, Kidepo valley National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Mount Elgon National Park and Mount Rwenzori National Park. The Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria is a sanctuary to the endangered Chimpanzees giving you an opportunity to do Chimpanzee Tracking, another place you can track Chimps in Uganda is Kibale forest National Park which can give you a real memorable experience. Boat rides on Lake Victoria at dusk gives you a clear view of the sun touching the western horizon.

On the Tanzanian section of Lake Victoria is the charming Rubondo Island with a National Park covering 258 km sq. It is located in the southwestern tip of the lake and it is a habitat to numerous flora and fauna. The lush vegetation in the island offers you an opportunity to observe natural Lake Fauna, the bird life in Rubondo island National Park is very fabulous comprising birds such as the malachite kingfishers, flycatchers, herons, storks, spoonbills, African fish eagles among others which dwell in the swampy lake shores. Alligators, amphibians and other mammals are also available in this isolated island. At Rubondo island National Park you can have nature walks, boat excursions, sport fishing, canoe trips and Chimp treks. Just get in touch with the tour operators in Tanzania. On the south eastern shores of Lake Victoria boarders the Serengeti National Park which is Tanzania's oldest and most popular park covering 14,763 km sq. While cruising on Lake Victoria you can access the Serengeti National Park at the Serengeti stop over on the eastern shores of the lake. This park offers an interesting game viewing experience with the herds of Buffaloes, African elephants, Topi, impala and other mammals that can offer you remarkable safari. It is from this park that the famous Wilde beast migration usually begins as these great crowds of animals cross over the Masai Mara region of Kenya in search of fresh palatable pastures. It is called the Great Migration and seeing the annual exodus of these Wilde beasts is an amazing experience that you can have. Game drives, hot air ballooning safaris are some of the activities you can do at the Serengeti National Park.

In Kenya, Lake Victoria covers a very small portion and 10km east this lake lies the Ruma National Park. The park covers 120 sq. km and it is famous for the Roan antelope, to access the park from the Lake Victoria side you can use Kisumu port via Homa bay. Apart from viewing the Roan antelope, you can also do Birding, Camping, picnicking and sight-seeing at this park. At the extreme tip of Lake Victoria protruding east wards is the Ndere island National Park covering 4.2 km sq. It is 432 km from Nairobi and its attractions include birds such as African fish eagles, hippos, impalas, crocodiles and other aquatic life. Sport fishing, walking, boat trips and game viewing are the activities you can engage in while at this park. Next to this park is Kisumu impala sanctuary to the north covering not less than 1 km sq. so you can have a brief lake shore walk with the impalas. Hyenas, jackals, leopards can also be spotted in this sanctuary together with over 100 bird species for your birding safari in East Africa. Lake Victoria therefore is a haven for ecotourism!! Why not visit any of these areas covered by this charming lake to have a real experience of the gifts of East Africa?