Lake Victoria

Why Lake Victoria Is Africa’s Inland Sea

Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and the second-largest freshwater lake in the world, a vast inland sea shared between Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya — with roughly half of it lying in Tanzania. It is one of the principal sources of the Nile, and its sheer scale, dotted with islands and ringed by fishing communities, gives the whole north-west of the country its character.

It is less a single destination than a region. Along and within the Tanzanian shore lie the city of Mwanza with its granite boulders, the forested wildlife sanctuary of Rubondo Island National Park, the little island park of Saanane, and the green lakeside town of Bukoba. Fishing for Nile perch and tilapia sustains countless villages, and the lake’s wetlands and islands are superb for birds.

For travellers, Lake Victoria is most often experienced as the western edge of a Serengeti safari — exiting the park through the Western Corridor to Mwanza, or flying to Rubondo for chimps and fishing. It suits those wanting to round out a classic safari with the lake’s scale, islands, and a different, watery side of Tanzania.

What to See & Do

• Africa’s largest lake and a principal source of the Nile
• Island parks: forested Rubondo and tiny Saanane
• Mwanza’s granite ‘Rock City’ and the green town of Bukoba
• Nile-perch fishing and traditional lakeside villages
• Rich wetland and island birdlife across the shore

How a Visit Works

The Tanzanian shore of Lake Victoria is reached via Mwanza (the main hub) or Bukoba by air, road, or ferry, and via the Serengeti’s western gates. Experiences range from city and island day trips to fly-in stays at Rubondo Island. Most travellers combine the lake with a Serengeti safari that exits west. The dry season is best for travel and lake activities.

Ending our Serengeti safari on the shores of Lake Victoria — boat trips, granite sunsets at Mwanza, and chimps on Rubondo — gave the trip a completely different, watery finale. — Guest review, TripAdvisor

Things to Do

• Guided exploration and wildlife viewing
• Photography-focused safari days
• Custom private itinerary planning