The Beauty Of Visiting Kalangala Island

The beauty of visiting Kalangala Island is a hidden discovery in Uganda. Kalangala District is named after the island on which it’s located. The island is one of Uganda’s most enchanting districts.

Known for its spectacular landscapes, diverse cultural heritage, and growing economy, the district has a rich history and a promising future

Before colonial rule, the islands that make up the Kalangala District were part of the Buganda Kingdom, one of the ancient African kingdoms dating back to the 14th century. Kalangala was included in Uganda at the time of colonial borders’ delineation by the British.

The district was officially established in 1991 following the Ugandan administrative reforms. It was created out of Masaka District, comprising two counties: Bufumira and Kyamuswa.

Located in the Northwestern part of the Lake Victoria, the Ssese Islands are an archipelago of 84 Islands 43 of which are inhabited.

History behind Ssese Island one of the beauty of visiting Kalangala Island

The beauty of visiting Kalangala Island is that you come to know a lot of islands than expected, listening to the amazing history of the Buganda people in Uganda.

The Island was named Ssese after the Tsetse flies that are found on the different parts of the Island. Clouds of the tsetse flies can still be seen and it is better you avoid them while there due to the irritating noise that they make.

The Ssese Islands categorized into two islands that is the Koome Islands which are found in the North Eastern part of Lake Victoria and the Bugala Islands in the south western part of Lake Victoria and these are separated by the Koome channel.

Some of the Islands that make up the Ssese Islands include the Bugala, Banda, Koome and the Ngamba Islands among others.

The Islands differ in size from about 10, 000 square kilometers to over 40 kilometers in length with the largest being the Bugala Island and the most visited.

The Islands in Ssese that are filled with locals are not so many but you will find a welcoming atmosphere from the locals however you will need a translator since the largest population speaks Luganda and not English.

Why Visit Ssese Islands

Imagine untouched natural beauty, a quiet place where you can enjoy your peace, the good food both local and international cuisines and then add on the numerous activities that you will engage in while in one place.

This is what Ssese Islands has to offer to all tourists. Ssese is the right place for anyone who wants to slow down, kick back and relax without the interruption of urban life.

The Island is a home to a lot of things that will keep you on your feet from the bonfires and parties at night, the pristine rain forests where you can have nature walks, different bird species and wildlife and exploration of the Kalaya caves which are believed to be the place where the first people in Kalangala lived.

Banda Island

Banda Island is surrounded by rain forests and the large Lake Victoria which makes it more secluded and the perfect place for tourists to go for a quiet getaway from the busy Center.

10 hectares of the Island were leased to Dominic Symes who opened up a resort adding on to the beautiful scenery of the Island and after his death in 2o11, many of his friends have made sure that the Island keeps its untouched beauty.

Banda Island is a budget friendly place to visit and there are many ways that you can get there.

You can connect from Bugala to Banda Island on a hired boat or get a boat ride from Kasenyi landing site in Entebbe straight to Banda.

There is a campsite that you can enjoy, the yummy meals that are served throughout your stay, the numerous activities that you can engage in like kayaking, swimming, relaxing at the beach, beach volleyball, hiking through the heavy rainforest and stargazing when the sunsets among others.

Bugala Island

Bugala is the largest inhabited Islands in Ssese and it is the most visited as well and that is the beauty of visiting Kalangala Island.

It is the only Island which is accessible from the mainland by use of a ferry and it is also where the main town known as Ssese is found.

Surrounded by beaches and the pristine rainforests, Bugala Island is the best destination for tourists and locals who come from the City Centre on weekends to enjoy more partying, although in a laid-back version.

Bulago Island

Bulago Island is an extremely small Island which is just 45 minutes away from Entebbe using a speedboat or less if you charter a plane.

The Island lies along the equator and has an amazing resort known as the Pineapple Bay. The Pineapple Bay offers all the accommodation facilities that you need, inform of villas scattered along the beach and meals all throughout your stay.

The few activities that you can enjoy while there include; swimming, lounging on the beach and taking a nature walk around the 2500m island.

There is as well horse riding that one can enjoy while at pineapple bay resort.

Ngamba Island an amazing place behind the beauty of visiting Kalangala Island

Ngamba Island is one of the many Islands that make up the archipelago of Ssese and an interesting spot for tourists who are into primates.

It is a home to about 50 chimpanzees which were rescued at the Entebbe International airport from poachers who were smuggling them out of the country.

A center has been set up so that these are catered for through donations from well-wishers and tourists who visit the Island get to care for the primates with the help of the caretakers.

Koome Island

Koome Island is found in the North-eastern part of Lake Victoria and it is also the largest in the North-eastern Islands which are separated by the Koome Channel.

The Island is approximately 63 kilometers away from Kalangala which is found in Bugala and the largest town on Koome Island is known as Bugombe. Some of the activities that you can carry out while here include; fishing, beach volleyball, shopping and nature walks among others.

The main activities that are carried out by the locals here are fishing, animal rearing and agriculture.

Activities that adds on the beauty of visiting Kalangala Island

Ssese Island generally has a lot to offer when it comes to activities and these can be carried out at the different Islands. These activities are easily arranged and it does not matter whether you are going to spend a short or long time at the Island because there is a chance that you will participate in most of them.

The most participated in activities in Ssese include quad biking, village walks, sport fishing, traveling from one Island to the next, shopping, birding, swimming, cycling, enjoy boda rides, check out the wildlife in the area like bush bucks, situngas, and many more others.

Sport Fishing

This one of the ways in which you can entertain yourself while in Ssese. You will however need to first obtain a fishing permit from the authorities before engaging in this activity.

There are a lot of species that you will find but the most famous one is the Nile Perch.

Note that you will need to come with fishing gear and in case you do not have, you can still hire from the locals at a considerably affordable price.

Swimming

The best place to go for swimming while in Ssese is along the numerous beaches along the shores of Lake Victoria.

You get to enjoy a dip in the largest water body in East Africa and if you are not into swimming, you can as well enjoy the view that the beaches and the Lake have to offer.

And if you are not so sure about swimming in such waters due to fear of contracting diseases, there are several swimming pools where you can enjoy this activity.

Chimpanzee tracking

The beauty of visiting Kalangala Island is that one has a lot in package to enjoy but with limited time and you can not exhaust all of them in a week.

Ngamba Island is one of the many Islands of Ssese and an interesting spot for tourists who are into primates.The island offers a magical chimpanzee tracking experience.

It is a home to about 50 chimpanzees which were rescued at the Entebbe International airport from poachers who were smuggling them out of the country.

Chimpanzee tracking is one of the thing that adds on the beauty of visiting Kalangala Island and its the best place for honeymoon experience.

Bird watching

Ssese Island is a home to quite a large number of bird species which can easily be seen in the swamps, the forests and along the Lake Victoria.

Some of the bird species that you should look out for while in Ssese include Doherty’s Bush shrike, the Shelley’s crimsonwing, yellow weaver birds, shoebill stork, crested crane, the Great Blue Turaco among others.

You will need binoculars in order to be able to see the birds clearly in their natural habitat.

Boat Rides

Boat rides in Ssese are carried out all throughout the day and you will find many locally made boats ready to take you around Lake Victoria while visiting the different landing sites.

The boat rides can also take you from one Island to another for those that are adventurous but remember to put on a life jacket before boarding one.

A boat ride in Ssese approximately costs Ushs50, 000 per hour although the price can easily change due to different circumstances.

Ssese Island Wildlife

Ssese is a home to quite a wide range of wildlife and these can be seen in different areas around the Island.

Some of the animals that you should look out for are the vervet monkeys which can be seen jumping from one tree to the next, Sitatunga antelopes, chimpanzees in Ngamba Island and hippos which are best seen near Mulabana in a swamp on Bugala Island.

The Island is also a good place for birding due to the numerous bird species here and not forgetting the butterflies which are part of the 7% total population of butterflies in the whole world.

Grab those binoculars and go enjoy some birding and butterfly watching in Ssese the amazing place behind the beauty of visiting Kalangala Island.

Walks & Hikes

There are two types of walks that you can engage in while in Ssese Island. To talk of  the nature walk through the forests and the village walks.

The Island has welcoming people and it will not be a surprise to them when you take on walk through the different villages on the Island where you get to meet and engage with the locals.

The nature walks through the forests is another experience altogether as you get to see the different types of trees, species of butterflies, insects , birds and not forgetting the animals.

Enjoy the local fruits

This is not an activity as to say but the Island has a large number of fruits that you ought to try out while here. The different fruits that are found on the Island are a delicacy that everyone should taste at any time of the day.

You will find fruits like the Jack fruits, mangoes, oranges, pineapples, Papayas and watermelons among others.

These can easily be provided at the accommodation facility of your choice or you can head out into the town and shop for the tropical fruits of your choice.

Island hopping a mind blowing activity behind the beauty of visiting Kalangala Island

The beauty of visiting Kalangala Island is that With all the 84 islands making up Ssese, Island hopping is one of the most participated in activities.

Island hopping is when you move from one island to another exploring what each has to offer.

All the islands have different scenery that they offer from the untouched beauty of the inhabited islands, the wildlife and the pristine beaches that add to their beauty.

When you get to Bugala, it will be easy for you to travel from one Island to the next and this can easily be arranged by the staff at the accommodation Primates viewing (monkeys).

Primates viewing in Ssese especially monkeys can be done in the rain forests that cover a larger part of the island. The vervet monkeys are the most popular one’s and they can be seen jumping from one tree to the nest.

The chimpanzees are found in Ngamba Island where they are catered for and a short trip there will give you chance to feed and cater for the now 50 chimpanzees on the Island.

Quad Biking

Quad biking through the Ssese Island is an exciting activity that will enable you drive through the forests, the villages, fishing sites and into the Kalangala town.

This is considered to be the best way to explore the Island and the bikes are always available at an affordable price. You can hire a bike and drive through Bugala while doing some sightseeing of the animals in the forest.

Free training is carried out before the session begins and if you want to enjoy the bike rides, look for tracks that have mud or water puddles.

Kalaya Caves

The Kalaya caves are of great importance to the Baganda especially the Nkima (monkey) clan of the many totems in the central part of Uganda.

The Kalaya caves of Semuggala or Jjaja Kiwumulo are a home to a lot of traditional regalia like spears, bark cloth, calabashes and some locals believe they can be healed once they visit the caves.

There are two openings to the cave, a small one used as an exit and the big one as entrance into the caves. The caves also have a fire that is always burning all throughout the day and night.

Sightseeing 

A guided walk through the palm tree plantations is what you need to wind down the long day while in Ssese.  The Island has numerous palm tree plantations that are found in the different parts of the Island and a walk through these trees will be worth your time.

Be welcomed by the owners of these plantations as they take you around while explaining how they are grown, the harvesting process of the palm fruits and how the palms are made locally.

Book your amazing adventure with us at info@beyondsightsafaris.com