The Crater Lakes of Uganda
There are ten national parks in Uganda, perhaps the highest
concentration of conservation areas in Africa. Of these, three contain
the remains of explosive volcanoes, which have over the millennia filled
with water. Formed by the explosive volcanic action of now extinct
volcanoes over a timescale of millions of years; with the youngest
having formed around 10,000 years ago, the crater lakes of Uganda are
spectacular. The habitats in which they formed vary from forest to
savanna and wetlands, with some lakes being fresh water while others,
such as Lake Katwe saline. The stunning scenery and abundant wildlife,
coupled with the friendly culture and relaxed pace of life, make
visiting the crater lakes an absolute must for visitors to Uganda. There
are plenty of safari packages
to choose from or you can arrange one to suit your particular needs.
With so many to choose from, you will be spoiled for choice. From a 3
day tour to a 3 week tour, you can opt for the ideal holiday to suit
your needs. Most tours will include at least some of the many lakes and
rivers in the region.
There are three main concentrations of crater lakes to visit: the Katwe explosion craters in the Queen Elizabeth National Park; the Ndali-Kasenda Crater Field near Kibale National Park; and the Bunyaruguru Crater Field on the Kichwamba escarpment.
Katwe Crater Salt Lakes
Of the two lakes in this location, Lake Katwe is the better known. Salt has been produced from this lake since the 16th century and the water is very saline. The salt pans are today still the main source of income for the local residents and a tour of the lake will give an insight into what is one of the oldest surviving industries in Africa. Stanley was the first westerner to record the history of the salt extraction at Lake Katwe when he visited Africa in 1875; he took a sample of the salt back to England for analysis and this was the first chemical analysis carried out on it.
Lake Katwe and its neighbours: Lake Munyanyange; Lake Nyamumica; and Lake Kasenyi are all situated above a salt rock which lays on a contour line, connecting the four. Of these, only Lake Katwe and Lake Kasenyi are capable of being mined for salt. In the middle of these lakes are vents which travel from the main salt rock to the lake. Water from freshwater streams feeding into the salt rock, travels through the vents. It then dissolves the salt from the rock beneath, before being forced out of the rock at high pressure and into the lake.
Ndali-Kasenda Crater Field
Just south of Fort Portal, the Ndali-Kasenda crater field was reputed by local legend to have been formed by Ndahura, the first Bacwezi king on his retirement, having abdicated in favour of his son. In reality, they were formed around 10,000 years ago and comprise around 60 permanent and seasonal freshwater lakes, all very different in character.
Bunyaruguru Crater Field
Perhaps two of the better known lakes in the Bunyaruguru Crater Field are Lakes Kamweru and Kyeema. Famed for being separated only by a road which runs between the two, Lake Kamweru has green coloured water, while Lake Kyeema has blue water. In the same area can be seen Lake Kamwezi, with its historic cave; the cave was a traditional ritual and sacrificial site which, during the Amin era became a refuge for those escaping the regime.
There are a number of safari packages you can choose which will allow you to explore at least some of the many beautiful crater lakes there are in south west Uganda. It would be impossible to visit them all in the course of one visit, so a return visit is a must to fully appreciate the diverse range of habitats in which these bodies of water lay. Uganda is still young in terms of tourism and this makes it one of the richest destinations in terms of experiencing unspoiled terrain, an abundance of wildlife and thriving local cultures. Whether you want a vehicle safari or trekking; to see gorillas and big game; or to fish and photograph birds; Uganda, with its amazing scenery is known as the Pearl of Africa with good reason. The official Ugandan Tourism Association site gives plenty of information and travel tips on making your holiday in Uganda run smoothly.
There are three main concentrations of crater lakes to visit: the Katwe explosion craters in the Queen Elizabeth National Park; the Ndali-Kasenda Crater Field near Kibale National Park; and the Bunyaruguru Crater Field on the Kichwamba escarpment.
Katwe Crater Salt Lakes
Of the two lakes in this location, Lake Katwe is the better known. Salt has been produced from this lake since the 16th century and the water is very saline. The salt pans are today still the main source of income for the local residents and a tour of the lake will give an insight into what is one of the oldest surviving industries in Africa. Stanley was the first westerner to record the history of the salt extraction at Lake Katwe when he visited Africa in 1875; he took a sample of the salt back to England for analysis and this was the first chemical analysis carried out on it.
Lake Katwe and its neighbours: Lake Munyanyange; Lake Nyamumica; and Lake Kasenyi are all situated above a salt rock which lays on a contour line, connecting the four. Of these, only Lake Katwe and Lake Kasenyi are capable of being mined for salt. In the middle of these lakes are vents which travel from the main salt rock to the lake. Water from freshwater streams feeding into the salt rock, travels through the vents. It then dissolves the salt from the rock beneath, before being forced out of the rock at high pressure and into the lake.
Ndali-Kasenda Crater Field
Just south of Fort Portal, the Ndali-Kasenda crater field was reputed by local legend to have been formed by Ndahura, the first Bacwezi king on his retirement, having abdicated in favour of his son. In reality, they were formed around 10,000 years ago and comprise around 60 permanent and seasonal freshwater lakes, all very different in character.
Bunyaruguru Crater Field
Perhaps two of the better known lakes in the Bunyaruguru Crater Field are Lakes Kamweru and Kyeema. Famed for being separated only by a road which runs between the two, Lake Kamweru has green coloured water, while Lake Kyeema has blue water. In the same area can be seen Lake Kamwezi, with its historic cave; the cave was a traditional ritual and sacrificial site which, during the Amin era became a refuge for those escaping the regime.
There are a number of safari packages you can choose which will allow you to explore at least some of the many beautiful crater lakes there are in south west Uganda. It would be impossible to visit them all in the course of one visit, so a return visit is a must to fully appreciate the diverse range of habitats in which these bodies of water lay. Uganda is still young in terms of tourism and this makes it one of the richest destinations in terms of experiencing unspoiled terrain, an abundance of wildlife and thriving local cultures. Whether you want a vehicle safari or trekking; to see gorillas and big game; or to fish and photograph birds; Uganda, with its amazing scenery is known as the Pearl of Africa with good reason. The official Ugandan Tourism Association site gives plenty of information and travel tips on making your holiday in Uganda run smoothly.
