Best of Lake Victoria Circuit Self-Drive Road Trip in a 4×4
A Self drive safari around Lake Victoria Circuit is one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences that any traveler from any part of the world has to include on their travel bucket list. This Lake Victoria Circuit Trip takes you around Lake Victoria through some of the towns, sites and islands that are found on the lake in the 3 countries that surround Lake Victoria that is; Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania
Lake Victoria is one of Africa’s Great Lakes and the largest fresh water lake in Africa, the world’s largest tropical lake with a surface area of 68,800 square kilometers (26,565 square miles). The lake is the chief reservoir of the Africa’s longest river – River Nile and has a number of exciting activities that you do along its shoreline, neighbouring towns and islands.
If you are looking for a route to use that introduces you the African hidden gems, then this Lake Victoria circuit is a must include on your travel bucket list. The shoreline of the Lake is shared by Kenya (6%), Uganda (43%), and Tanzania (51%). River Kagera, Katonga, Sio, Yala, Nyando, Sondu Miriu, and Mara rivers feed the lake while River Nile drains water out of the lake.
We have the best 4×4 car rentals that you can hire for your Lake Victoria circuit self drive trip. These are regularly maintained and serviced to give you a hassle free experience while on and off road as you explore Lake Victoria and its surroundings.
Our fleet of self drive cars for a memorable Lake Victoria circuit include cars like a 4×4 Safari Jeep, 4×4 Land Cruiser V8, 4X4 Land Cruiser GX manual and more vehicles that are available at very unbeatable and affordable car hire rates. Planning for that self drive around Lake Victoria? Count on us.
Your Lake Victoria Circuit will start from Entebbe, Uganda and end in Jinja, Uganda which is also on the shores of the lake but will take you to Tanzania, Kenya and then back to Uganda.
The Grand Lake Victoria Circuit to Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya:
Uganda – Self-Driving around Lake Victoria in Uganda.
Lake Victoria is strategically located close to Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport thus making it the closest airport to the lake and the best starting point of your Lake Victoria circuit.
While in Entebbe, there exciting activities you will be able to carry out and these do include; visiting the beaches on the shoreline of Lake Victoria that will reward with picturesque views of the Lake as you enjoy the fresh air right here. You can as well visit Serena Hotel Kigo for some golfing experience.
Still in Entebbe, you can get a boat to Mabamba swamp to see the elusive shoebill stock and other bird species found here. Other places that are close to shoreline in Entebbe include the Entebbe botanical gardens, Entebbe zoo which is also referred to as the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre.
On your Lake Victoria circuit in Entebbe, board a ferry to the Ssese islands – situated in the northwestern part of the lake. The Ssese Islands are on an archipelago of 83 Islands and 43 of these are inhabited. While on any of the Islands, enjoy the incredible views of the lake, the sandy beaches, enjoy a delicacy of different species of fish and so much more.
There’s a ferry that leaves Kalangala Island every day to Bukakata land site in Masaka and you will board this with your car, proceed to Bukakata as you enjoy the incredible views of the Lake.
Upon arrival in Bukakata, you can connect from here all the way to Mutukula border with Tanzania in the south. This self drive trip from Bukakata to Mutukula takes between 2.5hrs- 3hrs depending on the speed and the road conditions.
Tanzania – Lake Victoria Circuit Tanzania.
Arrive in Mutukula, Tanzania where you can visit the local community to learn so much about their culture and you can decide to book a hotel here or camp within a designated safe place within this border town.
From Mutukula, you can connect to Bukoba another town situated just on the shoreline of Lake Victoria where you can visit the beach, the local market to a have at some of the goods sold within here and also get to enjoy a local dish.
If you still have time you can as well check out the Kagera Museum where you can see wildlife paintings by the locals, learn about the rich history of this place and much more. Proceed to Biharamulo game reserve which is situated in the south of Bukoba along the shores of Lake Victoria.
Biharamulo game reserve lies between Bunkwe bay on Lake Victoria and the Kagera swamps. The reserve has a number of bird species that you will spot, wildlife animals like the impala, topi, and more. Proceed to another exciting port – Mwanza that is among the most developed ports in East Africa.
There’s a lot that you can do while in Mwanza and this includes; visiting the Sukuma Museum, the rock beach gardens that you can visit to relax as you enjoy the scenic views of the lake, visit the local markets, Rubondo islands among other places.
An overnight stay at one of the hotels in Mwanza is a must which will also reward you with an incredible night life and how the local community associate with each other.
From Mwanza, proceed to Grumeti game reserve which is also close to Serengeti National Park – Tanzania’s leading destination popularly known to be the best place you can see the big 5 animals and the popular wildebeest migration.
If you have time, you can as well proceed and visit the other national parks in the country like the Lake Manyara National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, the Ngorogoro crater and more.
Kenya – Lake Victoria Tourism Circuit in Kenya
Since Serengeti National Park is situated close to the Kenya’s Masai Mara National Park, you will cross the border into Masai Mara to see wildlife species like the lions, antelopes, wildebeest, zebras, species of birds, antelopes, giraffes and much more.
Your trip in Masai Mara is incomplete if you don’t get to visit the local Masai communities to learn so much about their way of life, how they associate with each, get the opportunity to dance with them traditional dance and folks songs plus so much more.
While still Kenya, connect from Masai Mara to Kisumu – another town situated on the shores of lake Victoria.
There a plenty of activities you will do in Kisumu such as visiting the Kisumu wildlife sanctuary, Kisumu museum that introduces you to the rich history of this town, Kiboko bay resort where you will spot the hippos, several species of birds, enjoy your stay at the sandy beaches and so much more.
Like any other town, you definitely have to check out the various local markets to check out the various merchandise sold here.
As you proceed to leave Kenya, connect to Busia which is the border town between Uganda and Kenya, where you can connect and drive to Jinja – another popular town on the shoreline of Lake Victoria.
Back to Uganda
Jinja is popularly known to be home to the source of the Nile River which drains water out of Lake Victoria and there a number of activities you can do while in this popular town. These include bungee jumping, white water rafting, visit the source of the Nile, golfing, visit the local communities, old Indian buildings and much more.
Lake Victoria circuit is incomplete if you don’t go on a boat ride along Victoria and the Nile River, boat canoeing, kayaking and much more. From Jinja, proceed to Kampala with a stopover at Mabira forest to see some bird species, and a few primates as well.
Proceed to Kampala and upon arrival, you can visit the landing sites in Ggaba and Port bell, visit the local communities there and also be able to test the locally prepared fish.
Your grand Lake Victoria Circuit will then come to end when you return to Entebbe to either a hotel of choice along the shores of Lake Victoria or direct to the airport where you will catch your next flight back home.
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Lets Plan Your Lake Victoria Circuit:
Best Rental Cars for the Lake Victoria Circuit:
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