Lakes >> Victoria

Lake Victoria is 69,000 square kilometers in size (commonly known as Nyanza), making it the largest lake in Africa, the largest tropical lake in the world, and the second largest freshwater lake in the world. Lake Victoria is the major geographical feature in this part of the continent. Unlike the lakes further west, Victoria is not part of the Rift Valley system, and is wide and shallow: it’s only 80m deep. Lake Victoria acts as a boundary between Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya,Lake Victoria lies at an altitude of 1133m and is widely accepted to be the main source of the White Nile (the longer branch of the Nile), as it receives more water as rainfall than all its combined tributaries provide.

Rivers from large areas of Western Kenya, Northern Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda gather in this shallow lake and begin, as Victoria Nile, their 6000km journey to the Mediterranean Sea. The lake's high rate of evaporation due to its location on the Equator makes this immense body of water a major factor in the local climate.

The Nile flows northwards, carrying the waters of Nyanza to Egypt and beyond into the Mediterranean. This mighty body of water is rich in fish life, with shimmering shoals of colourful cichlids and large Nile Perch. Nyanza province is the heartland of the Luo, a tribe known as formidable fisherman.

Lake Victoria's birdlife is staggering. Tiny islets contain huge nesting colonies of egrets, cormorants and gannets and territorial fish eagles patrol every 100 yards. Some of the fish eagles have become habituated to being thrown fish from the boat and swoop down to claim an easy prey.There are of course hippos and crocodiles in Lake Victoria and the locals will tell you if they frequent the area where you are staying.Fishing is good too with Giant Nile perch weighing over 100 pounds (kilos,) with a record catch at an unbelievable 520 pounds (kilos)! Evenings are the best time to cast for Tilapia from the shoreline.