A guide through the Attractive Islands of Lake Victoria : Lake Victoria is the largest fresh water lake in Africa and second in the world after Lake Superior in United States of America (U.S.A). It was renamed after Queen Victoria by British explorer John Hanning Speke in 1858. It is found in east Africa on the borders of Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. Tanzania has the largest portion of the lake at 49%, followed by Uganda at 45% and Kenya has the remaining 6%. The lake was formed about 400,000 years ago through down warping movement of land. It has a surface area of approximately 59,947 Km2 and average of depth of 40 meters and the deepest part of 80 meters.
The lake is host to many types of animals, fish, plants, and algae. The major animals found in the lake are hippopotamus, crocodiles, otters, turtles, marsh mangoose, reedbucks, frogs, and water snakes. The main species of fish are tilapia, Nile perch, catfish, cichlid, killifish, lungfish, elephant fish, spiny eel, and Lake Victoria sardine locally known as ‘Dagaa’. The major plants are papyrus, and water hyacinth.
The lake is an economic hub to the communities around. It is a source of water for domestic and commercial use, fishing inland water transport, and tourism. The major towns and inland ports in Tanzania ara musoma, mwanza and bukoba.
There are many island in the lake. The main island of Lake Victoria in Tanzania are Ukerewe, Ukara, Rubondo, Maisome, Bumbiri, Kome, Komasi, Gana, Ikuza, and Nazinga. Some of these Lake Victoria highland are designated as national parks and reserves. These are Rubondo National Park and Maisome Forest Reserve in Tanzania.
Ukerewe island
Ukerewe is the largest island of Lake Victoria. This is a great place to visit. The island is found within Mwanza Region of Tanzania. There are attractive features and beautiful places to visit on this highland;
Firstly, the Ginnery. This was the first Ginnery to be built in East Africa. It was built in 1905 at Matungururi village in Ukerewe island. This was a factory for ginning cotton (removing the seeds from cotton). In those days the ginning of cotton was done using firewood. The ginnery now has remains as a golf within the Island, A guide through the Attractive Islands of Lake Victoria
Secondly, Ulwengo cave. The cave was used by the Ukerewe elders to preserve meat in historical days. Their main activity was hunting. The animals were killed and the meat were preserved in this cave ready to be sold to fellow community members in demand. The cave is in the down area between the rocks in such a way that rains cannot penetrate inside the cave. The cave is so safe and looks cool just like large house. Surprisingly the cave has a section of which the money ware stored after selling the preserved meat. In 1964 it was established by the government of Tanzania to be a museum of cultural artifacts for Ukerewe society.
Thirdly, Rocky hills. These hills are found in Andebeju Village in Ukerewe Island. There are huge and tall rocks which were used by hunters to observe the locations of the wild animals. The hunting leader stayed on top of the rocky hill and gives the guidance to the hunting on the direction to go for hunting.
There are more activities and enjoyment to have in the island. You will have a very perfect ferry ride, taking best fruit juice on the island, cycling mainly on a gravel road wearing skin fit clothes, Nice relaxing evening on Ukerewe, and watching Ukerewe traditional dance.
SaaNane island
The island geographically covers a total of 2.18 Km2. Arriving at this island there is no noise from vehicles or a crowd of people. The place is so cool and it takes only five minutes to reach the island from the mainland of Mwanza city. It is one of the recommended places to visit on safari to Northern Tanzania lake zone Regions. It is the smallest game reserve in Tanzania. There are different natural animals found on the island such as crocodiles, water hyenas, Otters, snakes, tickles, leads, and Genet. There are also shifted animals from parks to stay on the Islands, they include impala, zebra, boar, and monkeys. The lions and elephants are also there but they are in cages. The main feature of this island is that it is located nearly to the city of Mwanza making it easier to arrive there at any time you wish. You can choose to do camping on the island since there are lodges with the access that one can need. The prices are very cheap which allows you to stay for several days. There are a lot of tourist activities you can do on the island including watching animals, hiking rocks, viewing birds, whistling, and enjoying the sunshine, A guide through the Attractive Islands of Lake Victoria
The background history of SaaNane Island is very surprising. In the early days, this unique Island was owned by an old man named SaaNane. The old man lived on this island for many years doing livestock keeping but later on, he advances to crop farming. The Government demanded the island for making it a game reserve. So, they decided to shift the Old man SaaNane to another Island within Lake Victoria.
Ukara island
Ukara island is found in Ukerewe District in Tanzania along the shores of Lake Victoria. The island geographically covers a total area of 80 Km2 with eight (8) villages on it. It is located about Ten Kilometers (10 Km) in Northern part of Ukerewe Island. The Island is popular known for tourist activities, the indigenous system of farming, and high population. The Journey to Ukara island from Mwanza city moving through the lake water by boat takes about 4 hours to reach the island and the cost is only $ 11.
At Ukara there many attractive places to visit. First, the Fishing Village. This is a village called Chifule where many fishermen are living. There many people working there as fishermen. You will see local fishing boats made using forest woods, the fishermen teams, livestock farmers, and bee keepers.
Rebondo island
This is a very special national game reserve island located within Lake Victoria. it was declared by the government of Tanzania to be a game reserve in 1977. It is known to be the second largest island in Tanzania after the Ukerewe island in Lake Victoria. there are wild animals such as Sitatunga, wild pig, crocodile, hippo, elephants, giraffes, and chimpanzee. The park is covered by natural vegetation of Congolese forest nature. The forest vegetation decorates the island with a green look and fresh air. There is also an attractive beach just within the Rubondo Island for resting after taking visit around the Island.
Additionally, there are historical place within Rubondo island. There were people living in the park before being declared to be a game reserve. They had their cultures and sacrifices areas. By going there, you will see and learn the culture of these societies, A guide through the Attractive Islands of Lake Victoria
There are also fishing activities done by visitors at Rubondo Island. You will be sitting in the boat while enjoying fishing tilapias and Nile Perch.
Nearby the island communities are living around. This is another attraction on visiting to see their traditional, weavings, caving, dressings, and cultural tool.
Other known islands within Lake Victoria in Tanzania include Nabuyongo island, Irigi island Irigi island, Kamombe island, and Lukuba island lake.
