The River Nile
The River Nile is the greatest river of Africa, and the longest river in the world. By its banks civilisations have been born and passed away. From time immemorial men had searched for the source of this great river that spills out into the Mediterranean after a 6600km journey from the heart of Africa.
It was Ptolemy, in the second century, who first attempt to map, from fables and travellers tales, this immortal waterway.
In the 18th and 19th centuries the dream of many European explorers was to find the source of the water that is life itself to the lands of Egypt. Many tried, and died in the attempt, but in 1862 John Speke succeeded, and stood on the banks of Lake Victoria at the very source of the great River Nile. Today, a plaque Stands in his memory, looking out towards the river whose source he had searched so long for.
Close by is the town of Jinja, a major commercial centre and Uganda's second city.
In 1954 the famous Owen Falls Dam was opened and, although the rising waters submerged the Rippon Falls, it made Lake Victoria one of the world's largest reservoirs. The hydroelectric station at the Dam supplies most of the electricity requirements of Uganda, and parts of Kenya as well, other gripping sights in this part of the River are the Bujagali Falls, with about 1km of raging white water, and the small villages that dot the river banks.

The River Nile flows northwards to Kyoga and onward through Murchison Falls National Park. Here a 6 metre wide cleft in the rock surface forces the waters into a rag-rig torrent, which then cascades 30 metres into a boiling pot below a dramatic plume of spray rises high into African sky from the millions of tons of water crashing onto the rocks beneath.

Ssese Islands
The Ssese Islands which belong Kalangala District, lies in the north-western section of Lake Victoria and are a rewarding 9 hour steamer trip from Port Bell, or 45 minutes by the local ferry from Bukakata to Bugoma on Buggala, the largest of the islands.

Many of the 84 islands are uninhabited except for a few fishermen, so the forests, and swamps which abound around some of the coasts make the islands a perfect habitat for birds. It should be easy to spot the whale-headed Stork and the many herons and geese, but more exclusive birds include the Grey Parrot, kingfishers and Fish Eagles.
The virtually virgin land is rich in plant life, and many, of the species are reportedly new to botanists.
Once, Lake Victoria was humble swampland. But, as the Great Rift Valley was formed, snaking across Africa, an enormous saucer was created, nestling between the eastern and western arms of the rift. Rivers were diverted, tremendous rains fell, and the swamp filled with water becoming the second largest freshwater lake in the world and the source of the magnificent river Nile which then travels over 6,000 kilometres to the Mediterranean Sea.
The 84 lush equatorial Ssese Islands form worlds of their own on this extraordinary lake. Forests teeming with wildlife, delightful empty beaches, friendly islanders and peaceful environment provide a unique and fascinating opportunity for walking, boating, bird watching or simply enjoying beautiful, unusual and unspoilt surroundings. Here, you'll be able to see Velvet Monkeys and Grey Parrots by the forest waterfalls, Kingfishers, Herons and Fish Eagles diving for their food in the lake.
And this area is fisherman's paradise as much for man as for bird. Will you be able to resist the chance to catch the fabulous Nile Perch or the ubiquitous tilapia.
Life on the islands is simple, the people welcoming. Life centres around the shambas has, the fishing boats and the trading centres. The colourful dances of the Baganda is part of the local way of life, and there is a sacred shrine to Jjajja Makasa on Bukasa Island.
The wildlife on the Islands includes hippo and crocodile, found near the shores, and waterbuck roam freely, as does the shy Sitatunga antelope. In the forested areas, chimps and monkeys are free to swing from the trees. Vervet monkey, colobus monkey, a prolific variety of water and forest birds including hornbill, touraco, flycatcher, weaver, fish eagle, paradise flycatcher, colourful butterflies are simply everywhere
You can enjoy superb lush forest walks with excellent bird watching and a cacophony of jungle sounds to marvel at.

Since then UWEC and concerned citizens have been looking for a suitable alternative for the orphaned chimpanzees at the Centre. Uganda has approximately 3,000 chimps left in the wild. Many chimps fall victim of poachers and infants are often sold into the pet trade or smuggled to other countries to be used in biomedical research, circuses, and entertainment.
In 1996, Ngamba Island, 23 kilometre south-west of Entebbe on Lake Vcitoria, came up for sale.
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This tropical Island is composed of 100 acres of rainforest and was found to have many species of food trees suitable for chimps.
It has taken over two years to raise the funds needed for the island purchase and construction of necessary infrastructure on the island such as staff accommodation, animal holding facilities and visitor education buildings.

The Jane Goodall Institute, International fund for Animal Welfare, Born Free Foundation, and Zoological Park Board of New South Wales have joined with UWEC to help the sanctuary become a reality. Now it’s done: a perfect sanctuary for chimps and a great place to visit.

Today, all twenty chimps live in a cohesive community in their new found freedom. About 10% of the island is reserved for staff and visitors, set up as an eco-friendly environment. Composting toilets, rainwater collection, proper waste management practices and solar energy for necessary power are used at the sanctuary.

The project is working with local community groups on neighbouring islands to work towards their needs. They will benefit by improving sanitation and medical care from funds raised at the sanctuary. The island was opened in April 1999 for visitors.

You are invited and most welcome to visit the island, it’s an excellent day trip. Your visit will not only be a highlight on your safari, it will also help us to care for the chimps.

Waterfalls

With so many rivers and mountains, the spectacular waterfalls should not be missed. Often set amongst dramatic scenery, and untouched by man, some of the most splendid are:

* The Sipi Falls - close to Mt. Elgon National Park near Kipchorwa
* Mungilo Falls - in the Semliki National Park
* Ngite Falls - two spectacular falls also in Semliki National Park.
* Sabyinyo Gorge - dramatic falls in the foothills of Mt. Sabyinyo
* Munyana Falls - cascades in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
* Bujagali Falls - on the Nile 10 km north of Jinja. White water rafting is available.
* Murchison Falls - breathtaking mighty falls on the Victoria Nile.

Lakes, Wetlands & Rivers

One third of Uganda's land area is under water. From Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa and the second largest in the world, to tiny crater lakes high in the mountains, Uganda can truly be called Africa's land of lakes. Twelve major lakes provide Uganda with much of its charm and reflect the infinite variety of the country.

The lakes provide different attractions and play an important role in the local economy. Among the lakes are those with papyrus and reed beds, and those with swamp forests (such as at Sango Bay). They offer excellent fishing and provide water for irrigation.

To the visitor, the lakes provide a tranquil backdrop for leisurely activities or exciting adventure. Many of Uganda's lakes provide excellent fishing with the Nile Perch in Lake Victoria reaching weights of 100 kilos. Sailing and other watersports are popular on Lake Victoria, but are not yet well-established elsewhere. Many of the lakes are great for swimming, but local advice should be sought before diving in. The smaller crater lakes in the mountains sparkle in the sunlight, and those in the Rwenzori can be refreshingly cold.

For their beauty, their rich birdlife, the islands and the fishing, the lakes are the gems in Uganda's crown.

Some of these lakes are relatively shallow, or have extensive flood plains. Ten per cent of Uganda's land can be considered 'wetlands' with their own distinctive plants and wildlife (particularly birdlife).

Trips can be made on most of the lakes - in particular lakes Victoria, Edward, Mburo, Albert and George. On Lake Bunyonyi a special trip is made by canoe among its 13 small islands with a picnic on Sharp Island.

The Nile, one of the world's greatest rivers, starts its 6,600km voyage to the Mediterranean close to Jinja, on Lake Victoria. The mood of the river (first as the Victoria Nile and Albert Nile, then as the Blue Nile) changes regularly - from tranquil pools where fisherman can catch tilapia, to the churning surge of the Murchison Falls. Giant Nile Crocodiles can be seen sunning themselves along its banks, while in other areas herds of hippo wallow in the mud.

Nevertheless, the Nile is not the only river. There are many: some are seasonal, while others flow year round. Rivers such as the Semliki, the Kidepo, the Kanyanchu, and many smaller streams, provide water for farming, watering holes for game, riverine habitats for birds and butterflies, sport for fishermen, and dramatic waterfalls and scenery. All this is part of the magic of Uganda.

Uganda's Main Wetlands

* The Kyoga/Kwania Lake Swamp Complex
* Lake Albert
* Lake George
* Lake Edward
* The Bonyonyi Lake Swamp Complex
* The Kijanebalola Lake Swamp Complex
* Lakes Bisnia & Opeta
* Lake Wamala
* Sango Bay
* Rwenzori High Altitude Bogs
* Mt. Elgon High Altitude Bogs

Uganda's Main Lakes

* Lake Victoria
* Lake Albert
* Lake George
* Lake Edward
* Lake Kyoga
* Lake Mburo
* Lake Nakivali
* Lake Bonyonyi
* Lake Bisnia
* Lake Kwania
* Lake Nyasala
* Lake Mutanda