Lake Victoria is the largest tropical lake in East Africa and Africa at large. Lake Victoria is shared by Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. For an adventure of a lifetime, explore the main islands on this awe-inspiring lake during your trip in any of the three East African countries. The islands in Lake Victoria that worth visiting include:
Rusinga Island, Mfangano Island, Rubondo Island, Ukerewe Island, Ssese Islands.
Islands on Lake Victoria but in Kenya side include:
Though Kenya shares the smallest percentage of Lake Victoria, Lake Victoria is located in the western frontier, in Kisumu, about an hour’s flight from Nairobi International Airport. The most popular islands in Lake Victoria within Kenya include:
Rusinga Island
Rusinga Island is situated on the northeastern side of Lake Victoria. It is an ancient historic island mainly inhabited by the Luo community. Many tourists visit Rusinga Island for fishing, swimming, hiking and bird watching adventures. Ruma National Park is also located on Rusinga Island. The park is home to some of the rare wildlife like Rothschild giraffe, Roan and Oribi antelope and Jackson’s hartebeest among other wildlife.
Mfangano Island
Mfangano Island is another popular island, situated in the Eastern part of the Lake. Being a remote Island, guests enjoy an intimate trip there. There are over 300 species of birds and several giant monitor lizards. Mfangano Island has two ancient rock art sites with some historically important cave art that are worth visiting. To enjoy the island better, try out activities such as fishing, bird watching, boat cruises, experiencing a scenic sun-downer boat ride and enjoying island walks to nearby villages.
Lake Victoria Islands in Tanzania:
Lake Victoria shares the largest part of Lake Victoria. Tanzania takes up about 49%. Lake Victoria surrounds major towns of Musoma and Mwanza in Western Tanzania. Some of the popular islands in Lake Victoria around this region include
Rubondo Island:
Rubondo Island is tucked away in the southwest corner of Lake Victoria, north-west of Mwanza Town. The island hosts the largest island national park in Africa. The waters around Rubondo Island are a breeding ground for fish and other aquatic animals. Rubondo Island is covered by a variety of vegetation from savannah to open woodland forests and swamps. A wide variety of animals also reside within this island’s national park such as bushbucks, crocodiles, giraffes and vervet monkeys. This would be a great place to go for game and bird watching adventures.
Ukerewe Island
Ukerewe Island is the largest among the islands in Lake Victoria. It is located north of Mwanza Town. The curved shoreline of Ukerewe Island is the reason for numerous bays, it is also surrounded by a dozen smaller islands occupied by fishermen and their families. A tour around the island offers you an opportunity to explore some of the attractions such as visiting the oldest Roman Church built in 1895. The church has similar name to the island’s oldest school and dispensary, built between 1902 and 1913 respectively. Other places of interest include the chief’s palace built in European style, Rubya Forest and Rutare Hill.
Islands in Lake Victoria in Uganda
Lake Victoria in Uganda, dominates the southern border of the country taking up about 45% of the lake. It surrounds the cities of Jinja and Entebbe. Ssese Islands are the most popular islands in Lake Victoria, on the Ugandan side.
Ssese Islands
Ssese Islands are an archipelago within Lake Victoria. The archipelago consists of approximately 84 islands, and most of them are untouched by man. They are characterized by thick rain forests and white beaches that provide a refreshing and tranquil getaway. While on Ssese Islands, visit local fishing villages, interact with Ugandans and learn more about their culture.