Lake Victoria is located in Tanzania and Uganda with a small part extending into Kenya. It is the main reservoir of the Nile River and is the largest fresh water lake in Africa and second in the world. Lake Victoria occupies an area of approximately 26,800 square miles (69,480 sq. km). From north to south, Lake Victoria is 210 miles (337 km) long and from east to west it is 150 miles (240 km) wide, with over 2,000 miles (3,220 km) of coastline. The lake is situated between the Western and Eastern Rift Valleys along the great plateau. It is 3,720 feet above sea level (1,134 m) and reaches a depth of 270 feet (82 m). Within the lake, one can find many archipelagos as well as numerous reefs just below the surface. Lake Victoria is known for its abundance of fish, which are exported by local fisherman. There are over 200 species of fish, which all make a major contribution to the economy. The lake lies within the Victoria basin, which covers an area of 92,240 square miles (238,900 sq. km).
Lake Victoria is bordered to the south by 300-ft (90 m) high precipices that are backed by the papyrus and ambatch swamps that form the delta of the Kagera River. The lake drains water into the Kavirondo Gulf through a narrow channel. The gulf is roughly 16 miles (25 km) wide and extends for at least 40 miles to Kisumu, Kenya. One of the largest and most important contributors to Lake Victoria is the Kagera River, which runs into the western side of the lake. One other source is the Katonga River, which is situated north of the Kagera. There are several other inlets, but the lake's only outlet is the Victoria Nile to the north.
The majority of the people inhabiting this area are Bantu-speaking. Several million people live within 50 miles (80 km) of the Lake Victoria region, which is one of the most densely populated areas in Africa. There are several cities that are built right on or very close to the northern coast of Victoria. Kampala and Entebbe in Uganda (in Uganda), Bukoba, Mwanza, Musoma (in Tanzania) benefit highly from the easy access to the water for fishing.
Rubondo Island
The Only National Park in Tanzania on an Island
Rubondo Island located in southwest Lake Victoria is Tanzania’s only island National Park. The 240 sq km island provides a unforgettable experience for visitors, combining the breathtaking natural beauty of a forest refuge with the relaxing tranquility of sandy lake-shore beaches.
Giraffe, elephant, hippo and crocodiles can be found on Rubondo Island. The island boasts a unique diversity of flora and fauna. Only here you can be sure of seeing sitatunga and have the chance of observing chimpanzees (experimental stage). Other mammals frequently seen include otters, bushbuck and vervet monkeys. Rarer sightings are colobus, genet, marsh mongoose, suni antelope.
Rubondo is a paradise for bird-lovers with nearly 400 species documented on the island. The island has an abundance of herons, storks, ibises, egrets, cormorants, kingfishers, bee-eaters, flycatchers, hornbills and birds of prey, including the highest density of fish eagles anywhere in the world.
Visitors have the freedom to explore the forest and lakeshore by foot or by boat, allowing each visitor to create his or her own memorable experience.
Tanzania