Lake Victoria in East Africa
If you live in Africa or keenly follow Africa news, you may easily relate the term “Great lakes region” more with political instability than with tourism and travel. Yet this region has enough unique and interesting attractions to make it rank alongside the traditional African safari destinations as a preferred holiday destination.
Strictly speaking, the “great lakes” refers to the series of lakes in or around the Eastern Africa Great Rift Valley.
Lake Victoria is the largest of the African great lakes, and is shared in unequal proportions by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. It is also the largest Lake in Africa, and the third largest fresh-water lake in the world (by surface area). The Lake is one of the main sources of the great River Nile, and a source of livelihood for many communities living around it.
The other great lakes include:
- Lake Albert at the Uganda-DRC border
- Lake Edward at the Uganda-DRC border
- Lake Kivu at the DRC-Rwanda border
- Lake Malawi (shared Malawi, Tanzania, and Mozambique). It is also the second deepest and third largest African lake.
- Lake Tanganyika (shared by Tanzania, DRC, Burundi and Zambia). Lake Tanganyika is the the deepest lake in Africa, and the second deepest lake in the world.
- Lake Turkana at the Kenya-Ethiopia border
There are many fascinating facts about these lakes, but I may have to cover these in a later post. Just by themselves, the lakes merit to be among the most visited attractions in Africa. There are several other lakes in the region which are not necessarily considered great lakes. But there’s a whole lot more to the great lakes region than just the lakes.
Politically speaking, the great Lakes region covers the whole of Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda, a great portion of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and some small parts of Kenya and Tanzania. The region was associated with instability because of the armed conflicts and rebel movements in the past especially in Uganda and DRC. The genocides in Rwanda and Burundi in the early 1990′s also helped reinforce this tag.
Tourist Attractions in the Great Lakes Region
The Mountain Gorillas and other African Great Apes
A mountain gorilla in Virunga mountains in the Africa Great Lakes region
There is definitely no greater reason to travel to the great lakes region than to see the great mountain gorillas in their only remaining natural habitat. The mountain gorilla is reputed to be the largest living primate. Yet, despite its massive size, it is surprisingly shy and peaceful, unless threatened.
Researchers say that there are just about 700 of these great apes still living in the world. Most of these are found in the Virunga mountain region at the borders of Uganda, DRC and Rwanda. The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda is home to more than half of the entire population of these mountain gorillas. This park is therefore the most popular destination for Gorilla tracking safaris.
You can find more information about mountain gorillas at the out-to-africa website and at the national geographic site.
The forested areas in the great lakes region are home to several other African great apes besides the mountain gorilla. Among them are chimpanzees, considered man’s closest relative, genetically. Like the gorillas, African chimpanzees are considered endangered species because of human encroachment into their habitats. One of the best places to still see Chimpanzees is in the Kibale Forest National Park in Uganda. The other apes you can see in the great lakes region include the bonobos (pygmy chimpanzees) in the DRC, olive baboons, and colobus monkeys in Bwindi National park in Uganda
Great Wildlife and Birdwatching safaris
Naturally, the great lakes region is home to many wild animals that spend most of their time in or around water bodies. Top on the list are the African crocodile and the hippo. Other animal species found in the region include jackals, lions, leopards, cheetahs, forest elephants, forest bufallos, hyenas, servals, pythons, and many more. The Queen Elizabeth National park in Uganda is one great location for wildlife safaris away from the crowded game reserves in Kenya and Tanzania.
The great lakes region provides for some amazing birdwatching safaris too. Uganda alone has over 1000 bird species. It is indeed very telling that the main national symbol in Uganda is a bird: the crane. Pelicans, cormorants, storks, flamingos, secretary-bird, falcons, bustards, and kingfishers are just some of the prevalent bird species.
For researchers and the sport-fishing enthusiasts, the fish species in the great lakes are of immense interest. Lake Malawi for example the greatest diversity of fresh-water fish species in the world.
Scenic Safaris and Adventure Tours
When Winston Churchill termed Uganda as the pearl of Africa, it was because he was fascinated by the country’s scenic beauty. This beauty extends to most of the great lakes region. One of the most beautiful mountain ranges in Africa, the Rwenzori mountains are found in this region. For their beauty, they are also known as the “mountains of the moon“. If you are adventurous, you may consider the challenge of climbing the snow capped Rwenzori mountains.
Online Booking for Holidays in Uganda
Gorilla tracking safaris are popular in very popular in Uganda. You can book your safari with any of the many Uganda travel companies. Click here for holidays in Uganda provided by the Africaguide.
Kenya is home to more than 80 major species of wildlife and over 1,000 different species of birdlife.Lake Naivasha and the Small Soda Lake called Elementetaita, surrounded by amazing landscape offers a heavenly site.Other Lakes include Lake Magadi, Lake Turkana and Lake Victoria.
Lake turkana safari
Looking at the pictures of some of the lakes mentioned, they look absolutely amazing. Would love to visit them but not sure if any Lakes and mountains holidays are organised there.