Ssese Islands Tours – Bugoma Palms Safaris takes you through the Ssese Islands in Uganda which are a collection of 84 islands in the northwestern part of Lake Victoria. They vary in size with some like Bugala reaching over forty kilometers in length. Only half of the islands are inhabited. The rest are composed of fishing islands and private property. Most of the Ssese Islands are under the administration of Kalangala District whose headquarters are in Bugala Island. Entebbe town also controls a few of the Ssese islands. The Islands were named Ssese because in the past some of them were heavily infested with Tsese flies.
Bugala Island
Covering an area of over 205 square kilometers, Bugala Island is the largest of all the Ssese Islands. It is also the 10th largest island found in a lake worldwide. Bugala is arguably the most popular and visited island. It is the most developed of the islands and hence the most suitable for receiving tourists. Bugala Island hosts Kalangala town which is the Administrative capital of most of the other islands. Reaching the island is by ferry which dock at Luku.
Bugala island has got several hills which all offer amazing views of the lake, approaching boats/ferries and human activities within the island. The island has arguably the largest palm oil plantation in Uganda offering employment opportunities to island dwellers. Bugala island is perfect for birdwatching and primates viewing. The most common primate is the Vervet Monkey but there are a few Colobus monkeys, bushbucks and snakes. The southern end of the Island is home to a few hippos. Bugala Island is a sanctuary to three endemic species – a rat and three types of butterflies.
Because of great human activity and revelers in Bugala island it has become the noisy over the weekend. Those who want a quieter place over the weekend should go to the more remote islands like Bulago, Bukasa and Banda. Bugala is quiet during the weekdays.
Activities In Ssese Island
Bird Watching at Bugoma Sand Beach Resort Hotel :
The Ssese islands are sanctuaries to countless birds. These birds thrive on the lush forests and unreachable swamps found in many of the islands. While in Bugala island, expect to spot the African fish eagle, barbets, brown-throated wattle-eye, hornbills, Palm nut vultures, paradise flycatcher, pygmy kingfisher, robin-chats, turacos and weaver birds
Swimming at Bugoma Sand Beach Resort Hotel:
Swimming is arguably one of the most popular activities while in any of the Ssese Islands. The most popular swimming area in Bugala is the beach in Mutumbala. Some of the Ssese islands receive crocodiles occasionally from other parts of the lake but these shouldn’t trouble you so much especially when visiting the larger islands. The greatest risk of swimming in Lake Victoria is getting Bilharzia but this is very rare these days and it can be treated with a few shots. If you are afraid of Bilharzia or croccodiles, then you can swim by in the hotels swimming pool and only go to the beach to relax and enjoy the cool breeze.
Visit Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary:
Ngamba island was earmarked by the government and Jane Goodall Foundation as a sanctuary for rescued chimpanzee orphans. You can apply to volunteer at the island or just visit to see the chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Feeding the chimpanzees at the sanctuary is very popular with tourist and primate lovers but you can also go for birdwatching and boat cruises around the Island.
Sport Fishing:
Sport fishing is one of the top things to do while in Uganda. Fishing trips are usually arranged to the different fishing villages with the intention of trying to catch the largest fish. The main catch here is Tilapia but the real trophy is getting the Nile Perch (the largest fish in Lake Victoria). To engage in sport fishing, international visitors must have a fishing permit. Although you can hire fishing gear from the islands at a good price, it is better to come with your own equipment. If for some reason you don’t want to go into the water yourself, you can just simply watch the fishermen from far as they lay their nets.
Wildlife Viewing:
The Ssese islands are home to Vervet and Colobus Monkeys. As already noted earlier, crocodiles come to some of the smaller island occasionally. Hippos can be sighed in the south western shores of Bugala. These large mammals and the elusive Sitatunga love the marshy shorelines because they are less visited by humans. The Sitatunga in the Ssese Islands have evolved to have larger horns than the ones seen on wetlands elsewhere Africa.
Village and Nature Walks:
Most of the Ssese Islands is have good forest cover. You can take a walk and admire the beautiful green plants and flowers. You can go and discover/visit one of the fishing villages to experience the kind of life the local people go through every day. Poverty and backwardness is still a problem in the Ssese Islands. Most of the fishermen spend their hard earned money on booze and women.
Playing Beach games and Cycling:
After relaxing by the beach and having enough of the beautiful sights, you can join a group of fellow revelers and play volleyball, football or other beach games.
Agricultural Tours:
Agricultural tours are arranged to one of the palm tree and pineapple gardens owned by BIDCO in Bugala. You can also visit the out growers or domestic farmers to learn how they make money by selling to BIDCO. Though the plantations employ many of the locals, conservationists attribute the loss of forest cover and the islands natural beauty to agriculture.
Quad Biking:
Using Quad bikes to explore the Ssese Islands is one amazing and fun thing to do. With the bikes, you can visit the beaches, forests and fishing villages while having great phone along the way. The Quad bikes used in Bugala are All Terrain and do not require any prior experience with a motor bike. The bikes can be used by people of all ages and more fun when done with friends or family. There is practice/training session before heading out to the established circuits. Since Bugala Island is quiet large, you need to take with you packed lunch. Quad biking for one hour costs about 70,000 Uganda shillings.
Cultural Visit:
The Ssese islands are one of the last strongholds of Buganda’s ancient cultural practices. For those who are brave enough and interested in learning more about Buganda’s traditional religions and culture, visiting the Kihumuro Cave is recommended with reservation. The Kihumuro cave is about 40 meters long with a wide entrance and small exit. Kihumuro means resting place. The Baganda believe that, the ancient gods and spirits rest in these caves. The custodian and his assistants can be seen smoking pipes as they pray to the gods like “Muwanga Jajja”. The cave has a long history that we will not dwell on for now.
If you are planning on visiting this cave, prepare to remove your shoes and follow certain rules. Inside the cave are old spears, old bark clothes, coffee seeds and other fetishes. The cave may appear strange and even weird but prominent people in Uganda visit for blessings in their business and careers.
Visit the John Speke House:
John Speke is a famous British Explorer who discovered the source of the river Nile. He came to the Ssese Islands in one of his quests to find the source of the great river. While at the Ssese Islands, he constructed a small house in Lutoboka Forest in 1863. Speke abandoned the house once he discovered that the source of the Nile was in Jinja. The house has remained relatively untouched for over 100 years. Right in the middle of the house stands a tree that is also believed to be over 100 years.
Visit the Nanziri waterfalls:
These waterfalls are located in Bukasa Island. These mysterious waterfalls are found close to Wanema’s shrine and the sacred Nanziri cave. Because these considered sacred areas by the locals, you are required to remove your shoes and talk in very low tones. Your Guide will let you know of the rules to be followed while in the place. While at the waterfalls you will notice remains of various sacrifices to Nanziri (god of the waterfalls) and other spirits like pieces of meat, coffee beans and coins. People from all walks of life come to this relatively simple place to get blessings, protection, wealth and fertility. The fishermen come here more frequently to seek blessings before going out to fish. The locals even believe that the water from the falls can cure all manner of diseases.
How To Get To Ssese Islands
At the moment, there are three ferries going to and from Bugala Island. The first one sails between Nakiwogo in Entebbe to Kalangala. It leaves Kalangala for Nakiwogo at 8am and leaves at 2pm. The journey to and from Bugala Island takes 3 hours. The ferry can lift personal cars and costs 20,000 shillings for second class and 25,000 shillings per person for Luxury. The main difference is that the first class cabin has less people and with more leg room. The ferry plying the Entebbe – Kalangala route can take up to one hundred passengers at a time and a maximum of 8 cars.
Ferry number two starts its journey from Bukakata (close to Masaka) to Bugoma four times a day. This ferry is not as well organized as the one plying the Nakiwogo – Kalangala route. The third option of reaching the Ssese islands is by using private luxury boats.
These are more expensive but provide very high quality services and comfort. They cost about $30 per person from Kampala or Entebbe to the islands. Speed boats can also be arranged. The more remote islands can only be reached by speed boats or local engine-powered boats. Some of these engine-powered boats are unsafe (no life jackets), crowed and with excess load. They rarely keep time. You will have to wait for hours until the boat gets full to capacity. You do not want to use these local boats unless you are the adventurous type.
Accommodation In Ssese Islands
The hotels and lodges within the Ssese Islands offer mostly budget to mid-range quality service. There are no 5-star luxury hotels in the Ssese islands yet. However, most visitors will be satisfied with the services on offer. Bugala island has the largest concentration of hotels as you would expect. All the hotels and lodges offer beautiful views and access to the lake regardless of whether they are budget or mid-range. Some of the hotels include: –
Bugoma Palms Resort Beach and Hotel: Home:
Explore the shores of Lake Victoria and enjoy a relaxing and vibrant stay at Bugoma Sand Beach Resort Hotel, a sanctuary within the hustle and bustle of your travel schedules. Bugoma Sand Beach Resort Hotel accommodation is designed for your dedication and relaxation away from the city center. Ignite a sense of a peace of mind as you stay at the sand beach resort.
