Lake Victoria: Size, Location, Country and All Facts
Lake Victoria is a prominent geographical feature in Uganda and globally recognized. The Lake is the largest in Africa, encompassing a surface area of 59,947 square kilometers. It is the largest tropical lake globally and the second-largest freshwater lake by surface area, shared by three East African nations: Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Victoria encompasses numerous intriguing sites, including the fishing village, the source of the Nile, various ports, Entebbe International Airport, and Ngamba Island, among others.
Lake Victoria was named in honor of Queen Victoria of England and is one of the Victorian attributes in Uganda. It was discovered by an early English explorer named John Hanning Speke, who subsequently named it Lake Victoria. Speke is the sole Briton to have documented the lake, achieving this discovery in 1858 alongside Richard Burton, who investigated the source of the Nile under the sponsorship of the Royal Geographical Society and with royal permission from Queen Victoria.
The Lake is comparatively shallow relative to its surface area, with a maximum depth of approximately 80 meters and an average depth of around 40 meters. The shoreline of this lake spans approximately 7142 km, with islands constituting over 3.7% of the coastal length. The surface area of Lake Victoria is distributed among three countries that constitute the East African Community: Kenya occupies 6%, Uganda encompasses 45%, and Tanzania accounts for 49%.
Hydrology of Lake Victoria
The largest volume of water in this lake is supplied by direct rainfall occurring biannually in Uganda, coinciding with the two peak rainfall periods. Additional water is sourced from rivers and streams, including the Kagera River, the major river flowing into Lake Victoria along the western shoreline. Although Lake Victoria has numerous inlets, the sole exit is the River Nile. The Nile River is located in Jinja, Uganda. In Kenya, rivers such as Sio, Nzoia, Yala, Nyando, Sondu Miriu, Mogusi, and Migori, among others, flow into the lake.
Fauna in the vicinity of Victoria
Several years ago, the Lake was a focal point for wildlife in Uganda; however, urbanization in adjacent cities has resulted in a decline in the wildlife linked with Lake Victoria. The adjacent wetlands host hippos, African clawless otters, marsh mongooses, sitatungas, defassa waterbucks, cane rats, and gigantic otter shrews, among other species. A variety of reptiles inhabit the region of Lake Victoria, including crocodiles and varied mud turtles, among others.
The waters of Victoria have been renowned as a prominent fishing area, featuring several fisheries around its coastline. Nonetheless, numerous fish species have become extinct during the past 50 years owing to various circumstances, including indiscriminate fishing and the introduction of predatory fish species. The largest group of fish comprises haplochromine cichlids, which encompass over 500 species. The introduction of the Nile perch and the depletion of several fish species are attributable to the eutrophication of the lakes.
Recreational pursuits available on the Lake Victoria expedition
A variety of activities are available for your Victoria tour, including boat cruises. Numerous tour operators nationwide can assist you in organizing an optimal excursion around Lake Victoria. One may spend a day visiting the source of the Nile River at Jinja, where one may observe a variety of intriguing African crafts, partake in Kisoga tribal dances, and explore several historical landmarks, including the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Consider visiting the Sese Islands, engaging with chimpanzees at the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, or enjoying a leisurely boat trip on Lake Victoria, where you can relish the golden sunset by the water, among other captivating activities.
Lake Victoria has several attractions and activities, making it a perfect holiday location. During your stay, you can focus on leisure and appreciate stunning landscapes while indulging yourself and your companion. Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Uganda, shared with Tanzania and Kenya. It is the largest freshwater lake in Africa and serves as the primary reservoir for the River Nile. Its surface is 26,828 square miles (69,484 square kilometers) and exhibits an irregular quadrilateral shape. The waters occupy a small depression at the center of the expansive plateau situated between the Western and Eastern Rift Valleys. Lake Victoria hosts around 200 fish species, with Tilapia being the most economically significant, alongside many birds, animals, reptiles, and other diverse creatures. Commence your trip preparation now with Gorilla trekking in Africa to secure optimal discounts and select your preferred locations near Lake Victoria.
Activities & Attractions at Lake Victoria.
Cruises on Lake Victoria
A boat excursion on Lake Victoria is essential throughout your holiday. Savor wine and enjoy a leisurely cruise on the lake during your honeymoon. Why not indulge in a sunset sail on Lake Victoria, accompanied by cheese and wine? Lake Victoria is one of the largest lakes globally and offers a picturesque setting for relaxation. Afternoon boat rides are available to the equator or nearby islands to observe the sunset. Observe the fishermen deploy their nets while savoring the refreshments available on board.
Safari to observe shoebill storks in Lake Victoria
Makanaga Swamp Bay and Mabamba Swamp are premier locations for observing Shoebills in Uganda. Situated on Lake Victoria, they can be reached from Kampala or Entebbe via canoe, offering excellent views of the Shoebill stork and various other avian species. You may choose to go on the journey to Makanaga and Mabamba in the morning, afternoon, or evening, accompanied by a canoe boat ride with a local guide who will narrate the history and assist in observing various bird species and aquatic life in the swamp. The shoebill stork is a rare and endemic avian species native to the vicinity of Lake Victoria. A shoebill excursion might enhance your Lake Victoria journey.
The Shorelines of Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria is encircled by exquisite beaches and beachfront hotels ideal for your holiday. Additional beaches are located on islands, such as the tropical Ssese Beach on the Ssese Islands and the white sand beaches of Kalangala. The beach itinerary can commence from Entebbe, featuring white sand, boat cruises, and recreational beach activities. Most hotels offer spa services, including pampering treatments, massages, and saunas, which you can enjoy with your partner.
Discovering the Islands of Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria comprises 84 islands, each offering a distinctive and remarkably relaxing experience. Most of the 84 islands are uninhabited, save for a few fishermen, while the forests and swamps along certain coastlines provide an excellent habitat for avian species, including the whale-headed stork, herons, geese, grey parrot, kingfishers, and shoebill stork, as well as fish eagles, primates, reptiles, and numerous others. The largely untouched region is abundant in flora, with numerous species supposedly unfamiliar to botanists. The islands are exquisite destinations for tourists, honeymooners, and locals to unwind, featuring refreshing breezes from the lake and picturesque beach vistas. Among the islands are Ssese Island and Kalangala Island, both of which feature exquisite amenities. Boat excursions are available from Entebbe or Kampala to any island of your preference.
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
A visit to the chimpanzee sanctuary is an excellent activity on Lake Victoria; Ngamba Island currently houses 49 orphaned and seized chimpanzees, rescued from the illegal pet and bushmeat trade. Notwithstanding their initial trauma, chimpanzees residing in Ngamba benefit from a secure and semi-natural habitat that facilitates their recovery and enables them to flourish throughout their potential lifespan of up to 60 years. The island encompasses 95 acres of natural forest where the chimpanzees traverse and forage everyday. Their meal is augmented several times daily, much to the pleasure of visiting tourists who may watch the feeding from a viewing platform. The chimpanzees possess the autonomy to remain in the forest overnight or return to nocturnal enclosures where they can construct nests and receive an evening meal. You will embark on a journey to the Island to witness the chimpanzees on Lake Victoria, an exquisite experience.
Journey to the equatorial crossing point on Lake Victoria
Lwaji Island, located on Lake Victoria, is intersected by the Equator Line. It boasts abundant avian life and greenery, and remains deserted. The island offers expansive views of the lake, the Entebbe Airport runway, and the neighboring islands. The atmosphere and breeze were refreshingly lovely since visitors frequently embark on sunset excursions to the equatorial line on Lake Victoria. The majority of Lake Victoria, located in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, lies south of the equator. However, the equator traverses the northern section of the lake, resulting in a minor portion of the lake (next to Entebbe, Uganda) being situated in the northern hemisphere. You will embark on a boat excursion from Entebbe to enjoy adventure on Lake Victoria.
Exploring the Uganda Wildlife Education Center
The facility, popularly referred to as Entebbe Zoo, was inaugurated in 1952 by the Colonial Government of Uganda as a reception center for wild animals that were casualties, including those that were sick, injured, orphaned, confiscated from illegal trade, or for instructional purposes. The zoo is located on the shores of Lake Victoria, including forested enclosures for wildlife aimed at tourism and education. The zoo draws both domestic and international tourists, guaranteeing a complete opportunity to observe many species, including lions, elephants, giraffes, crocodiles, leopards, and birds such as the shoebill, among others. You will see the fauna of Uganda and the environments they inhabit, including their feeding, play, and locomotion behaviors.
Entebbe Botanical Gardens
The Entebbe Botanical Gardens, founded in 1898, are located on the northern beaches of Lake Victoria, nearly on the equator. They are designated as the National Botanical Gardens, one of the numerous botanical gardens in the country. The gardens have a broad array of plant species from tropical, subtropical, and temperate zones, in addition to numerous shrubs and other plants that have spontaneously regenerated throughout the years. It is also a habitat for various types of primates, birds, and reptiles. It is secure and has drawn various tourists for birdwatching, picnics, and other pursuits; the botanical gardens are an essential destination on Lake Victoria.
What are the accommodation options around Lake Victoria?
Resorts and hotels situated along Lake Victoria. Lake Victoria Serena Hotel, 2 Friends Hotel Beach Hotel, Imperial Beach Hotels, Protea Hotels, Brovard Hotel Kalangala, Munyonyo Hotel. Your budget will determine the availability of comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and secure hotels for your visit on Lake Victoria. Activities and Attractions at Lake Victoria