As you approach the beautiful Bugala Island a part of the Ssese Islands in Lake Victoria, you are greeted by stretches of white sandy beaches. Your eye roams beyond the beaches, and you are struck by the thick green forests that still cover a large part of this Island. The Ssese Islands are an archipelago of 84 islands located in the northwestern part of Lake Victoria in Uganda. Bugala Island is home to Kalangala town which hosts the districts (Kalangala) headquarters and is probably the busiest of the islands.

Getting to Bugala island has been made easier by the MV Kalangala ship, which travels daily to and from the Island. The ships leaves Nakiwogo pier in Entebbe at 2.00pm daily and arrives at Lutoboka pier on Bugala Island at about 5.00pm, returning to Entebbe the next day at 11.00am. Bring a good book or some games for the trip especially if travelling with kids; you will need to keep them occupied. Upon arrival, you will be met by a representative from your hotel that will take your luggage and in some cases literally walk you to your hotel, as some of the hotels are located a few meters from the pier.

All but one of the major hotels is located on the beachfront allowing for maximum enjoyment of the beach. This means you will sleep and wake up to the sounds of the lake and depending on the location of your room, enjoy breathtaking views. As far as accommodation goes on the island, let me start by saying there are no five star hotels on the island, so your choices are mid-range and budget type hotels. The hotels here are very ‘rustic’; after all you came here to enjoy the beach and island life, right? Island life – slower pace, no reliable source of electricity, friendly people, did I already say slower pace? Leave the blackberry behind and get ready for some serious relaxation time.

Bugala Island is famous for its white sandy beaches and the beaches are the major reason you will come here. The sand is white, warm on most days and clean. During the day you can play beach games or simply lie down and take the in the beauty of it all. At night some of the hotels have bonfires on the beach front, barbeques and music on the weekends. If you are a photographic enthusiast, you will not believe the shots you will capture; the sunsets on the beach are extraordinary.

Fishing is of course a major activity on the island; visitors can arrange with their hotels to go out for fishing trips or simply tour the island on boat. You can also take a boat out and tour some of the smaller islands. The islands here are teeming with all sorts of birds, making them quite the bird watchers dream destination. Guided forest walks, Island tours by car or on foot, village tours, are all on offer here.

The Ssese Islands are about 12000 years old and according to the Buganda culture, they are referred to as the Islands of the Gods. Traditionally, all Buganda Kings were supposed to visit Islands and pay Homage to the Gods “Baluubale”, whose shrines are situated and built on the islands like Bukasa Island is home to Musisi; spirit of Earthquakes and Wanema; spirit of physical handicaps. While Bubembe Island is home to Mukasa; spirit of Lake Victoria also traditionally referred to as “Nalubaale”.

The 84 prime islands located northwest of Lake Victoria differ in size and activities with some being small and deserted, while others are large and densely inhabited. These are hilly with dense forests, retaining a secluded and serene atmosphere creating the perfect destination for relaxation, sport fishing and a birders haven.

The separate Islands, which can be reached either via Nakiwogo in Entebbe, Masaka to the Bukakata ferry OR By Charter flight to Bukasa Island with an Airstrip, are experiencing a renaissance in tourism activity; increasingly becoming a popular tourist Destination in Uganda.
The ferry leaves Bukakata at 0800, 1100 and 1700 and leaves the Bugala landing site at 1000, 1430 and 1800 from Monday to Saturday, and the journey takes 45 minutes. Transport from Kampala to masaka is by private car Hire, taxi or by Bus and you can hire a speed boat from Entebbe to the Islands.

Bugala Island being the largest extending over 200km and measuring 43km from East to West and a home to the kalangala district Headquarters, and Bukasa Island the second largest island have several activities including forest walks with Primate Viewings of different monkey species like the Vervet monkey, the Bush-Buck and the black and white colobus monkey, sport fishing in particular for the Nile Perch, the endemic creek cat and butterfly species, beautiful walks around the Islands on the white sand beaches and rainforests, Boat rides to other Islands, prolific Birdlife including water and forest Birds including robin-chats, weavers, Turacos, brown throated wattle eye, hornbills, Barbets etc, Beach activities like cycling, swimming, canoeing, volleyball etc, visits to the Speke’s Fort built in 1962, fishing villages, Bat cave with thousands of Bats and visits to palm tree and pineapple farms.

The Bugala Island, Bufumira and Bukasa Islands the in habited Islands, have many established accommodation facilities including Luxury lodges as well as camping grounds to suit most tastes and Budgets. Mirembe resort has a wide number of rooms as well as camping space. Pearl gardens beach has the Hornbill campsite, Ssese Beach hotel has 18 cottages and a separate house with 2 family cottages and 3 triple rooms. Islands club has luxury wooden chalets in a cool atmosphere, Panorama budget lodge with a beautiful garden; the Palm Beach Hotel has cottages and a dormitory tent. In Bukasa Island, the Agnes Guesthouse offers accommodation with friendly views. The facilities have open restaurants for food and Drinks.

The Ssese Islands are peaceful, with more than ethnic tribes and languages. They offer crystal clear lakes, beautiful rainforests, beautiful beaches and here you can discover the wild romantic Africa of your dreams with warm and hospitable people, in a land waiting to be discovered…You couldn’t ask for more in an exotic holiday destination!

Sezibwa falls is traditionally derived from the vernacular word “sezibibwa kkubo” meaning “no obstacle can stop me from moving on. The site located in Uganda about 20 miles along Jinja Road from Kampala; is a Buganda Heritage site, with an out span of sharp edged rocks and a magnificent sound of soothing waters flowing down the steep ridged stones.

The site attracts many who seek blessings due to cultural beliefs that the river was born of a woman. It’s alleged that the 2 rivers named Sezibwa and its brother Bwanda were given birth to by a woman on her way to Kavuma Bukunja when she experienced labour pains. Nakkungu Tebatuusa whose husband was called Nsubuga Sebwato gave birth to Twins in form of water, where Sezibwa flowed west, passing many obstacles and deriving its name, while Bwanda flowed towards Nyenga in Eastern Uganda to the mothers’ homeland.

Casually dressed men are found at the gate, and on a busy day, there are over 100 visitors including tourists, researchers, students and people seeking for peace and miracles.
Many people come to the place for miracles as they believe the site has supernatural powers. The presence of “Mbuga ya musoke”, a cowry shrine believed to be a home of a python called Nalongo; Eggshells, Calabashes, backcloth, short spears and a coffee berry basket at the entrance of the shrine signifies the cultural, traditional and spiritual beliefs on the site.

The beautiful green vegetation like Bamboo and Erithina, the 7 meters high waterfalls, and the harmony of Bird songs above the trees creates beautiful scenery for relaxation and enjoyment. Rock climbing and bird watching are main activities at the site, and Geologists visit the site in numbers. Wildlife includes the Bush Monkeys, red tailed monkeys and many other primates and Birds.

The dark waters rise up to 90 feet during the rainy season, with fascinating sounds from the pouring waters, holding the secret not known to many, unique and rich traditions, acknowledged only by those who love culture and serene.

There are a plethora of adventure holiday activities you may want to indulge in once on holiday in Uganda. Below are the most interesting activities and events Uganda best offers to its holiday visitors.

Cultural Tours
Uganda has a rich cultural heritage evident in the tribes in Uganda. It is a unique cultural destination to tourists interested in cultural tourism. Uganda cultural tours entail visits to cultural, religious and historical sites distributed all over the country. Some of the best cultural sites include Baker’s Fort in Patiko; Bigo Bya Mugenyi in Ntusi; Karambi Tombs in Fort Portal; Naggalabi Buddo Coronation Site, Wamala Tombs; Mparo Tombs in Hoima; Nakayima Tree in Mubende; Nkokonjeru Tombs in Kakiika; and Nyero Rock Painting Ngora. Uganda cultural experiences grant the country tourists with an encounter that they would if not get somewhere else.

River Nile Rafting
One of the best things that you can do on holiday in Uganda is to plan to take a Nile River rafting. River cruising has become a very popular form of recreation in Uganda today. Your Uganda holidays can be the best of your boating experience. There are boat trips which last for half a day on the Nile.

Kayaking
This is another enthralling holiday activity prominent on the Nile River especially on the Bujagali Falls in Jinja.

Forest Walks
There is chance to have a perfect feel of the wilderness on a long natural trail for instance in Mpanga, Maramagambo, Mabira, Kibale and Bwindi Forests. There are several species of birds, primates, butterflies, insects, large mammals, etc.

Gorilla Tracking
Tracking mountain gorillas through the world’s remaining equatorial forest of Bwindi impenetrable forest in Uganda is one of the best safaris in Africa. Gorilla tracking is a very captivating activity; it involves walking in the wilderness. Gorilla tracking is ranked as the most Adventurous Safari activities worldwide. Gorilla tracking in Uganda is a highly attractive venture for tourists. Many visitors tour the country purposely to see these primates who share 97% of their genes with humans. There are only about 700 gorillas remaining in the world and half the population is found in Uganda. These rare endangered animals are found in Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Climbing Mount Rwenzori
Uganda is one of the prime destinations of Mountain climbing in Africa. A trekking safari to the Rwenzori Ranges offers a superfluity of adventure experience. Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley is the highest point in the range.

Birding
Uganda ranks as on of the top world destinations for bird watchers. The lush ever green vegetation and the all year round climate make the country attain a ‘Must Visit’ choice. You are exposed to over 1040 birds in one spot including the rare shy shoebill stork.

Game Drives
There are few areas in Africa that can match the amazing diversity of wildlife habitats in Uganda. This is reflected in the special animal species in the Uganda national parks. It has over 10 national parks including Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Mt. Elgon, Bwindi Impenetrable, Lake Mburo, Kidepo Valley, Kibale Forest, Semliki, etc. Most game drives are actually tailor-made.

Sport Fishing
Sport Fishing is one of the holiday activities carried out in Uganda. River Nile, Lake Victoria and the Ssese Islands are the hotspots for fishing in the country.

In the western region of Uganda lies an extra ordinarily amazing historical geographical feature and that is none other than the Rwenzori Mountain. A block mountain that separates Uganda from the Democratic Republic of Congo “commonly known as Congo” on the western wing and has lived since time in memmorial, before the explorers, and it is one of the enormus Ugand’s nature gits that define the country’s beauty and its accolade as the “pearl of Africa.”

When the early explorers were told of the mountain with snow at the top, they put it down to neaten nonsense but history has absorbed them! Thousands of mountain climbers have made their way to the Margherita peak where it is always snow as in the polar regions if the world. Making one’s way to the top is a feat in itself, going through a breath taking hazardous terrain of numerous eco systems which goes through the dense Montane forest to the snow covered peaks. Along the trail, one will see unique vegetations, glacier river premeds and wonder features. It is gorgeous! It is like a summary of the earth here and this is what has attracted famous people to the Rwenzori, one of them, the Italian duke of Abruzzi took photographs in 1906 and wrote a book that was to make the Rwenzoris world famous.

But the Rwenzoris did not have to be announced to be famous because it is the 3rd tallest mountain in Africa! At its foot hills is a vast expense of natural rain forests complete with chimpanzees, monkeys and baboons. There are also many varieties of birds, it is a good destination for bird watching, chimpanzee tracking, and community walks.