Fascinating Tour to Ssese Islands - Uganda

The Ssese Islands are group of eighty-four (84) islands in the northwest of Lake Victoria, Uganda and the second-largest freshwater lake in the world. About forty-three (43) of the islands are populated. Kalangala serves as the headquarters of the district that carries the same name (Kalangala District). It is located approximately 51 kilometers (32 miles) across water, southwest of Entebbe. The coordinates of the district are: 0° 26′ 0.00″S, 32° 15′ 0.00″E (Latitude:-0.4333; Longitude: 32.2500).The islands vary in size from less than 10,000 square meters, to over 40 kilometers in length for the largest island, Bugala.

Group of Islands:

 The islands lie in two main groups.

·         Bugala Group Islands

·         Koome Group Islands

Bugala Group Islands:

The south west is referred to as the Bugala Group. Bugala Island is easily accessible by ferry, and is a regular weekend destination for Kampala residents. The island forms an L shape (with the long stem of the L pointing South, and the short stem pointing West). There are several beachfront hotels situated along Kalangala Bay near the ferry dock, which is located near the corner of the L. The bay forms one large beach, and it is more or less possible to walk between most of the hotels along the beach. The bay itself is serene, but one of the hotels may blare out a thumping disco beat that covers the whole area, especially on weekends.

Other islands in the Bugala Group include:

Bulago, Banda, Bubeke, Bufumira, Bugaba, Bukasa, Buyova, Funye & Serinya.

Koome Group Islands:

 The north eastern group is referred to as the Koome Group, after Komag Island, the largest in that group. The two groups are separated by the Koome Channel.

The main islands in the Koome Group are: Damba, Koome and Luwaji.

Overview of Ssese Island:

 The Ssese Islands are inhabited by the Bantu people speaking Bassese tribe, closely similar to the Baganda and the Basonga, The arrival of Europeans; the islands were one of the most important spiritual centers of the region. About forty-three (50%) of the islands are inhabited. The islands vary in size from less than 10,000 square meters (2.5 acres), to over 40 kilometers (25 miles) in length for the largest island, Bugala Island.

Flora and fauna at Ssese Islands:

 The Ssese Island is the biggest island of Bugala boast of the Lutoboka Central Forest Reserve gazette in 1948 consisting of 378 hectares which is a home to a variety of animals including primates like birds over 300 species and a number of tree species, which are not easily accessible on the mainland. This has led to the evolution of a nascent but growing tourism industry on the islands. Infrastructure is still rudimentary but is slowly improving.

Activities at the islands include sun bathing, beach activities, bird watching, sport fishing, nature walks, primate walks, community projects etc. You will choose what to do and pay directly. Dinner and overnight at Pearl Garden Beach.

I hope this post will prove informative for all the readers. If you are looking for the tours and cheap flights then you can visit here.