Ssese Islands Tour Uganda

The Ssese Islands comprise 84 islands which occupy the northwestern corner of Lake Victoria, and the second-largest freshwater lake in the world. The largest island in the archipelago is called Bugala. Kalangala serves as the headquarters of the district that carries the same name (Kalangala District). It is located approximately 51 kilometers (32 miles) across water, southwest of Entebbe. The coordinates of the district are: 0° 26′ 0.00″S, 32° 15′ 0.00″E (Latitude:-0.4333; Longitude: 32.2500).

The islands lie in two main groups. The south west is referred to as the Bugala Group; the north eastern group is referred to as the Koome Group, after Komag Island, the largest in that group. The two groups are separated by the Koome Channel.

Other islands in the Bugala Group include: Bubeke, Bufumira, Bugaba, Bukasa, Buyova, Funye and Serinya. The main islands in the Koome Group are: Damba, Koome and Luwaji.

Overview

The Ssese Islands are inhabited by the Bantu people speaking Bassese tribe, closely similar to the Baganda and the Basonga, The arrival of Europeans; the islands were one of the most important spiritual centers of the region. About forty-three (50%) of the islands are inhabited. The islands vary in size from less than 10,000 square meters (2.5 acres), to over 40 kilometers (25 mi) in length for the largest island, Bugala Island.

Economic activity

The principal industry in the Ssese Islands is fishing for the huge Nile Perch, with much of the catch being exported. Over fishing is a huge concern on these and other islands in Lake Victoria. Other industries include agriculture, forestry, charcoal production and tourism..

BIDCO, a private palm oil processor based in Jinja District, on the mainland, owns 15,000 acres (6,100 hectors) In addition, out grower farmers grow palm oil on contract with BIDCO and sell their produce to the processor. In 2010, the palm oil plant began generating 1.5MW of electricity through the burning of Bagasse and some of the oil. The power supplies of the oil processing plant and the excess is sold to Kalangala, the largest town on the islands.

Also logging is another economic activity that is practiced on the Ssese Islands.

Flora and fauna

The Ssese Island is the biggest island of Bugala boast of the Lutoboka Central Forest Reserve gazette in 1948 consisting of 378 hectares which is a home to a variety of animals including primates like birds over 300 species and a number of tree species, which are not easily accessible on the mainland. This has led to the evolution of a nascent but growing tourism industry on the islands. Infrastructure is still rudimentary but is slowly improving.

 

3 Days Ssese Island tour

To access the islands , ferry/boat is used from Entebbe. The Ferry departs Ssese Islands at Palm Beach Resort where it docks daily at 8.00am and reaches Entebbe at 11.00am. Usually the trip takes minimum of two and half to three hours. It returns to the Island at 2.00pm arriving at the island at around 5.00pm.

This done on daily basis. Thus   the tour will run as follows

Day 1: Entebbe to Ssese Island
Morning will be picked from Kampala at leisure to Entebbe. The ferry leaves after 2.00pm back to the Ssese Islands. You need to be at ferry point by 1.00pm to allow all checking   issues. Enjoy the ride to the islands . Check in at Pearl Gardens Beach.

Day 2: Ssese Islands
This is a day for your activities. Activities at the islands include sun bathing, beach activities, bird watching, sport fishing, nature walks, primate walks, community projects etc. You will choose what to do and pay directly. Dinner and overnight at Pearl Garden Beach.

( This will be your day for fishing. The resort ha boat which can accommodate 6 pas BUT few fishing rods only. I do not know whether you can bring your fishing rods amongst yourselves. Ugandan sport fishing is in its infancy but it would seem that Sep/Oct and Jan to Mar are the best months. Apr-June are rainy months, and Jun/Jul have not, in our experience, produced good fishing.)

Day 3 : Return to Entebbe
After breakfast at 8.00am will board the ferry back to Entebbe in the morning arriving at around 11.00am. Proceed to Kampala.