Lakes-rivers
Lakes-Rivers: Uganda is located in the great lakes basin.
Lakes-rivers of the tropical equatorial region of Africa and crossed by the Great Rift Valley escarpment. With such crucial geographical and natural features. Uganda has several water bodies, such as lakes, rivers, swamps, and waterfalls, in this diverse ecology.
Other countries in the Great Lakes region of East Africa include Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. Some of the rivers drain into Uganda’s lakes. There are many lakes in Uganda offering the best bird-watching opportunities. Boating, nature walks, adventures, swimming and safaris unique to Uganda. Many lakes have great economic importance to the locals and Uganda.
Lake Victoria
Africa’s largest freshwater lake covering an estimated 68,800sq km on the southeast border of Uganda with Kenya and Tanzania. However, the most significant Tanzania shares, the largest lake area, defines Uganda’s weather and economic success. It is the source of River Nile-the world’s longest River and has several main Hydro Electric Power Stations at Owen Falls Dam, Bugajali.
Lake Victoria is surrounded by a series of forests excellent for Bird watching. A source of medicinal herbs, wildlife ecology and timber. Going without mention are the record-breaking catches of Nile Perch and other fishes not found in any other lake around East Africa. Besides the sport fishing, Lake Victoria is great for Boating, rafting, sunset cruises and beach holiday activities. All Uganda safaris can offer in one Holiday Package.
Lake Albert
This rift valley lake in western Uganda is another of Uganda’s lakes named after the British Royalty on discovery in 1864 by Sir Samuel Baker. A significant mention in the press since the 2000s thanks to the findings of rich oil wells in the region. Lake Albert is one the most dramatic lakes Uganda has to showcase
The borders of this lake extend to the edges of DR Congo from western Uganda as the upper Nile continues on its course. From where the River Nile enters, Lake Albert is great for Boating.
Off the route on Lake Albert are spectacles like Murchison Falls and many small rivers that feed the lake. Besides the oil exploration on the lake’s shore, the lake is a good fishing ground.
Lake Kyoga
It is located at the heart of central Uganda on the en route of the River Nile into the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt. The lake’s distinct features include the finger-like shoots that define swamps overflowing during the rainy season.
Fishing is the main economic activity on the lake, located near Budongo Forest Reserve. You can visit the lake for chimpanzee tracking adventures in the forest reserve.
The Lake-river Edward and George
The two lakes are typically located in the rift valley escarpment in southwestern Uganda and are connected by the Kazinga Channel. Uganda and DR Congo share Lake Edward with parts of the 2,325 sq km lake in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Lake George is the smaller of the two and shallow, occupying 250 sq km. A swamp fringes that silted lake that is joined to Lake Edward by the meandering waters of Kazinga Channel.
Fishing is an important economic activity for the communities near the two lakes. Kazinga Channel is known for the traditional sunset boat cruises for wildlife safaris at Queen Elizabeth.
Lake Nabugabo
This lake lies in a designated site 20 km from Kampala in the south-central district of Masaka. It was once part of the more excellent Lake Victoria until silting of Lake Victoria built dunes that separated the two lakes.
It is a good place for birding safaris in Uganda, and some of the regular sights at the lake are Kingfishers, Crested Crane, Ross’ Turaco and the broad-billed roller, among others. Some animals that live near the lakes include vervet monkeys, duikers, monitor lizards and squirrels.
This lake is found in southwestern Uganda and is one of the deepest lakes in Africa. It was named after the many birds that nest and migrate to the swamps and islands in the lake. A freshwater lake, bilharzia-free and suitable for swimming. This is a remarkable destination for tourist adventures like Boating and Bird watching.
Ndali-Kasienda Crater lakes
These lakes are believed to result from volcanic activity in southwest Uganda some 100,000 years ago. The extensive lake has more than 50 smaller lakes and water streams that flood during the rainy season. The surrounding area boasts sights of monkeys, butterflies, birds and fishing activities.
Lake Bisina
Although long and narrow, the lake is a source of livelihood for the fishing communities in Eastern Uganda and a great birding site too. Some of the birds found in the fringing swamp include the papyrus endemic gonolek, Fox’s Weaver (endemic to swamps on this lake), shoe-bill stork, white-winged warbler, pygmy goose and the Lesser Jacana, among others.
Lake Opeta
This seasonal lake is part of the greater Lake Kyoga, covered in papyrus swamp and water-logged Savannah. The wetlands protect Uganda’s largest breeding colonies of the papyrus gonolek, shoebill stork, Rufus bellied heron, and fox’s weaver. Also, have a few sights of the water-loving antelope species.
There are many lakes in Uganda, both seasonal and permanent. Some of the lakes define Uganda’s national parks and sustain many of the forest reserves in the country. Other lakes worth visiting include Lake Mutanda in Bwindi Forest Park, Mutolere. Which is drained by the glaciers from Rwenzori Mountain in western Uganda; Lake Saka and Kaitabarogo in Fort Portal; Lake Wamala and Lake Katwe, which is known for Uganda’s salt mining activity.
The Semliki River is a total of 87 miles (140 kilometres) in length and flows through the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and Uganda. The River’s source starts at Lake Edward, near the sub-station of Ishango on the DR Congo side of the border and then proceeds to snake south. Crisscrossing and even forming part of the border of DR Congo and Uganda. Until it reaches its mouth at Lake Albert near the city of Bunia in DR Congo.
The River goes through the Rwenzori Mountains National Park and the Semuliki National Park in Uganda. Helping to give habitat to the tropical trees and swamp flora that grows in the parks. The River also supports many different animals that thrive in these parks. Including more than 400 other bird species and mammals like elephants and buffalo. The River is also home to various ethnic groups in the general region, including the Amba, Bakonjo, Batuku and Batwa peoples.
Sezibwa River
The Sezibwa River is 93 miles (150 kilometres) long and is the third longest River in Uganda. The River’s source starts with the municipality of Ngogwe in the Buikwe District. Then it flows north until it reaches its mouth at Lake Kyoga in the Kayunga District. The Sezibwa Falls is a Heritage Site of the Buganda sub-national kingdom in Uganda that is 23 feet (7 meters) high and part of the River. The site is the location for tourists to bird watch, rock climb, and experience sights and sounds. The surrounding forest that is along the River and falls has a variety of primates and bird species.
Kafu River
The Kafu River is a total of 112 miles (180 kilometres) in length and is the second-longest River in Uganda. The River’s source starts by the Kitoma Swamp in the Kibaale District, and then it starts to flow east before it turns north. Reaching its mouth at the Victorian Nile River near Masindi Port in the Masindi District. Since the River comes out of the Kitoma Swamp, it helps to provide a source for wildlife and various animals in the swamp along its path.
Katonga River
The Katonga River is a total of 137 miles (220 kilometres) in length and is the longest River that is entirely in Uganda. The River’s watershed is now the swampy region found southwest of Lake Wamala due. To regional uplifting of the land in the Albertine Rift that is part of the great East African Rift system. From this swampy region, the Katonga River mostly flows in an eastern direction until it reaches its mouth of Lake Victoria. During the wet seasons in Uganda, the water levels can rise enough. That the watershed of the River will send some water west to Lake George.
Turkwel River
The Turkwel River is 211 miles (340 kilometres) long and flows through Kenya and Uganda. The River’s source starts at Mount Elgon, an extinct shield volcano on the border of Uganda and Kenya. From this source, the River flows east into Kenya until it reaches its mouth at Lake Turkana in northern Kenya. The portion of the River in Uganda is the Suam River.
Kagera River
The Kagera River is 249 miles (400 kilometres) and flows through Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. The River’s source starts flowing out of Lake Rweru in Burundi, and then the River goes east. Crossing along the border of Burundi and Rwanda and the border of Rwanda and Tanzania. The Kagera then meet at a confluence with the Ruvubu River.
Then it flows northwards, continuing along the edge of Rwanda and Burundi before finally crossing into Uganda. It is the most significant inflow of water into the lake. Which caused a significant health hazard for people in the country.
White Nile River
The White Nile River is 2,299 miles (3,700 kilometres) in length. It flows through six countries: Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Tanzania. The source of the White Nile is the Nyabarongo River in Rwanda. Where it goes east through to Tanzania before going into Lake Victoria. From Lake Victoria, the White Nile River continues in Uganda as the Victorian Nile and goes north through the country, briefly going into DR Congo at Lake Albert.
It then goes north through the rest of Uganda, South Sudan and Sudan before it merges with the Blue Nile at the city of Khartoum. For Uganda, the Victorian Nile section of the White Nile, located at the mouth of Lake Victoria. Provides power for the country from the Nalubaale Power Station and the Kiira Power Station. The River also offers stunning views and rafting for tourists, where it goes through the Bujagali Falls.
Nile River under (lakes-rivers)
The River Nile is 4,258 miles (6,853 kilometres), making it the second-longest River in the world. Nile flows through Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Uganda.
The Blue Nile and White Nile Rivers, which converge near Khartoum in Sudan. With the River’s mouth going into the Mediterranean Sea in northern Egypt. The Nile River’s length also includes the White Nile and Blue Nile Rivers. So the part of the Nile that goes through Uganda is the same section as the White Nile River.
The major rivers that drain Uganda’s lakes include River Nile and its tributaries (Victoria Nile, Albert Nile & Blue Nile), Katonga, Mpanga, Narus, Manafwa, Narus, Lamia, Nyamwamba, Mubuku, Nyamugasani and Bujuku to mention a few.
Also, visit Kibale Forest National Park to see Chimpanzees.
