Lakes and waterfalls of Uganda: Often referred to as the “Pearl of Africa,” Uganda is a country of great physical splendor and graphic beauty. It is gifted with several beautiful water sources such as lakes and waterfalls; they are beautiful, quiet, and full of wildlife. Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Uganda is the centerpiece of this water world. A large number of the published articles and stories about Uganda, as well as movies and TV programs, are dedicated to one or another element of this almost postcard-like water scenery. Nevertheless, Uganda, which boasts the world’s second-largest fresh-water lake, Lake Victoria, is by no means restricted to just this lake in terms of stunning lakes and waterfalls. This guide is here to tell you about some of the most mesmerizing that are in Uganda.
Lakes are part of the Ugandan environment and are indeed the perfect background for most of the country’s activities. These are the biggest in Africa and occupy an area of 68,800 square kilometers only. Such a large amount of water would certainly be astonishing for any guest, at least because one would not expect so much water in such a region that is primarily mountainous and mostly covered by dense mixed forests. Out of these lakes, Lake Victoria is the largest and can be said to be far much larger than the other two. One of the aspects that add to its size is a factor that is not ordinarily considered when analyzing any element of the geography of Uganda and that is the slope from the rock base of the rest of the topography to the water’s edge.
Local people named the lake as the ‘place of many little birds’, and this lake is one of the deeper lakes in Africa and its depth is compared with the lake Tahoe. It is famous for its beauty and has 29 islands and these islands are rich in local legends and colonial background. It helps the visitors to get around the numerous islands located within the lake. Among them, Punishment Island has a story that seemed to be taken straight out of a Margaret Atwood novel, The Handmaid’s Tale. Our guide Peter was quite informative and explained to us some of the legends of the area. Almost all the islands have a background that is rather difficult to comprehend. Bushara Island and the lake in particular are comparable to any mountainous view of the lake owing to the scenic beauty of the combination of the island and the lake with the bird-watching opportunities as well as safe swimming in the lake.
Lake Albert, the seventh largest lake in Africa is found on the Uganda – DRC border and is part of the Albertine Rift. The lake is well known for fishing, especially with fish species such as the Nile perch and tilapia and has turned into a popular fishing tourist attraction. Many animals inhabit the area surrounding the lake such as the hippos, crocodiles, and many species of birds. Boat safaris done along the shore of the lake give one a chance to see the people living near the lake and also enhance the understanding of the cultural transformation of the people living by the lakeside.
This is a relatively but still beautiful lake in Lake Mburo National Park where animals and birds go to drink water. The park is special first because it contains all types of habitats from wetlands to acacia woodlands and savannas. Riding on a boat on the lake one can see a number of animals like hippos, crocodiles, and a lot of water birds. Other animals that you can also get to spot in the park include zebras, impalas, and buffalo as you move deeper into the park. Birding is probably the most famous activity in Mburo with 350+ species, such as the shoebill stock and the African fish eagle.
Waterfalls in Uganda are magnificent natural wonders offering fantastic views and exciting things to do and see. Out of all of them, Murchison Falls is among the most powerful in the world. The Nile River gushes through a rather narrow, 7-meter-wide gorge and plunges 43 meters into the Devil’s Cauldron and then swirls and basins around and then flows back out, still a bit crazy. Then, not very soon after that, the river splits and creates many little islands in the upstage left wing.
In eastern uganda on the slopes of mount elgon are the Sipi Falls a set of three falls. The place is famous for its cool and calm climate and different types of beautiful sceneries. There is also cultivation of coffee hence you will find plantations. I attempted to picture myself walking through coffee plantation in a foggy environment which was quite contrary to the scorching hot environment I faced while walking through the coffee plantation. If after tasting the good Grenadine which I bought from a lady with a bucket, would I be bold enough to go back for more? Shimmy down a 100-meter main wall? No. Probably not. However, the cause of the cool trails that surround those stunning waterfalls, I find myself reconsidering.
Itanda Falls is located at the eastern part of the country along the Nile River, especially near Jinja and it is famous for its enchanting beauty as well as the roaring rapids. It is a wonderful place for the lovers of white water rafting or kayaking as the river has class 3 and 4+ rapids with some smooth water in the form of pools and relatively more serene class 2 parts of the river. Itanda Falls Promotions company focuses on the safety of rafters and kayakers and Itanda Falls is good for beginners and experienced River runners. Rafting, as well as kayaking, and drifting down the non-gorge parts of the river with its many hidden coves where you can watch birds is also possible in Itanda Falls for those who want something less aggressive than the falls.
