Lake Victoria


Despite the incredibly arid climate, East Africa managed to preserve its priceless treasure - at an altitude of more than 1100 meters in a tectonic fault lies the second largest freshwater lake on Earth, which bears the beautiful name Victoria. It must be said that this pond and its surroundings arouse considerable interest among tourists, and for that there are a lot of reasons!

Lake Victoria plays a huge role in the life of Africa, because it contains most of the fresh water of this continent. There is information that due to global warming in this area, less and less precipitation falls every year, which has a very detrimental effect on the quality of life of the inhabitants of the surrounding areas. The whole point is that Lake Victoria is sewage, that is, it literally gives life to rivers and lakes, into which it flows. However, at the same time, no more than 20% of water is discharged into the lake itself from the water bodies that enter it, the remaining 80% are the same precipitation, the number of which decreases annually, threatening the well-being and life of more than 30 000 inhabitants that live along its coast.

More about the lake

Lake Victoria in Africa is the largest, its area is 69,475 square meters. km, the maximum length is 322 km. It has a small depth, in contrast to the lakes Tanganyika and Malawi formed as a result of the same tectonic deflection.

Lake Victoria in Tanzania is very popular with tourists; Kenyan and Ugandan "parts" of the lake do not have such popularity. In 1954, on the Victoria Nile River, which originates in the lake, the Owen Falls dam was built, after which the water level rose by 3 m; today the lake is a reservoir.

The locality where Lake Victoria is located is located in the equatorial-tropical zone, so there are two rainy seasons a year. The first season comes in early March and lasts until May, and the second begins in October and ends only at the end of December. The annual rainfall is about 1600 mm, and in the middle of the lake it falls by about a third more than on the shores. The temperature varies little during the year: the average daily temperature in January is + 22 ° C, and in July - + 20 ° C. The lake is characterized by strong storms. The best time to visit is between June and September.

Inhabitants of the lake

Lake Victoria is struck by the diversity of its fauna. In total, more than 200 species of fish live in this pond, among which there is also a link between fish and animals - the protopter. This fish is the representative of the oldest species, which can breathe both gills and lungs. For local fishermen, tilapia is of interest, which is the basis of fishing here, but the "hunting subject" is mainly the Nile perch - a very large fish, whose weight can reach two hundred kilograms. There are no restrictions on the number of fish caught, on the types of fish that can be caught, or on equipment that can be used.

And in the waters of this lake there is just an unimaginable number of crocodiles. Some of them are very impressive in size, so it would be good to think about possible consequences before bathing in the wrong place. Here there are poisonous snakes, as well as insects, including the notorious tsetse fly.

Sights of Victoria

There are many islands on the lake, the total area of ​​which is 6000 square meters. km. The largest of these is the island of Ukerev (owned by Tanzania ). The islands of Lake Victoria are home to a large number of different birds - both living here permanently, and arriving from colder countries to winter huts.

The most famous island of Victoria is Rubondo - an island on which one of the most beautiful national parks of Tanzania is located . Another park is located on Saanane Island. And the island of Rusing is chosen by lovers of fishing and ornithologists - here live about a hundred species of birds. In addition to them, there live hippos, spotted otters and monitor lizards.

In the vicinity of the lake it is worth to visit the small forest of Kakamega, where white and black colobus, red-tailed monkeys and other primates live, in the settlements of the Marakvet tribes, located on the hills of Cherangani. And, of course, it is worth visiting the reserves of Biharamulo and Burigi, which together with the National Park of Rubondo form a large nature reserve.

Where to live?

It is best to stop in one of the lodges at the reserves or in the city of Mwanza on the territory of the lake. Here one of the best hotels are Malaika Beach Resort, Ryan's Bay Hotel, Gold Crest Hotel. They are quite cozy, but there is no need to expect increased comfort and a wide range of services.

It is important to know

Since the lake serves as a habitat for large crocodiles, two main rules should be carefully observed: firstly - do not swim in the lake, and secondly - do not fish in the dark, as crocodiles during these hours are particularly active. Fishing at night is banned officially. By the way, you can replace fishing with hunting for crocodiles or combine these two classes. In addition, there is another reason not to swim in the lake - the entire coast is infected with schistosomiasis.

On the shore of the lake there is a tsetse fly - there is a danger of contracting a sleeping sickness; also a high probability of yellow fever, so it is better to make appropriate vaccinations before the trip. A hot and very humid climate is unfavorable for travelers who have problems with the cardiovascular system.

By the way, locals assure that a giant creature lives in the lake, which chases after fishing boats. Aborigines call it lukvata. However, there is evidence of Europeans who saw in the water some strange and very large animal. Although, perhaps, in fact they saw just a python, which also periodically "bathe" in local waters.

To the tourist on a note

The fastest way to Lake Victoria can be reached by flying to the Mwanza International Airport and from there by car (it takes about half an hour). You can also get to Mwanza by rail from Dar es Salaam .

The ecological situation in this area is constantly deteriorating, the result is uncontrolled fishing, as well as the importation into these regions of exotic animals and flora. Recently, OSIENALA and ECOVIC societies have been established to improve the situation in this region, which monitor the consumption of lake resources, which gradually gives its positive results.