Uganda Crater Lakes : Uganda commonly referred as “The pearl of Africa “is a home to over 50 crater lakes which are distinctively characterised with unique ambience and beauty. The crater lakes are mainly found in the western rift valley region also locally known as Ndali- Kasenda crater region. This region is between Kibale national park, Queen Elizabeth national park and mount Rwenzori national park. These crater lakes are surrounded by beautiful scenic views that help visitors create memories and unforgettable experience that are based Uganda’s crater lakes.
As tourists Embark a journey to the famous pearl of Africa” UGANDA” they are able to embark on a safari to Uganda crater lakes and explore its rich diversity and culture experience surrounding these crater lakes. Through this tourist have an opportunity to visit neibouring national parks with crater lakes including Kibale National Park, Mount Rwenzori National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park that are surrounded with quite a number of crater lakes which some are volcanic crater lakes and others explosion. While touring Uganda tourists and visitors can expand their experience with Uganda’s beautiful crater lakes and they create memories and connecting to beauty of the Pearl of Africa.
These crater lakes contain salt sometimes with a strong smell like Katwe crater lake, found southwestern region of Uganda in kasese district where salt mining takes place, Bunyaruguru crater and Ndali Kasenda crater lake fields found along the western arm of the rift valley on the other hand these crater lakes can also be fresh water lakes for example the twin lakes Kyema and Kamweru,Miramba and katinda ,Nyungu and Rwizongo,lake Nkuruba among others which mainly act as drinking spots for wild animals and some pirates. These also have fertile soils around that support growth of plants like Arabica coffee offering a great opportunity for Uganda agro tourism safaris especial while on exploring western Uganda tours.
The following is an overview of crater lakes in Uganda which include:
Katwe crater lake
This is a hypersaline lake found at the highest point of Queen Elizabeth national park in Kasese district located in the southwestern part of Uganda, its approximately 413 km from kampala and 431 km from Entebbe. However, it is as a result of volcanic activity in the western rift valley and the major activity carried on it is salt mining. while on a Uganda wildlife safari at Queen Elizabeth National Park, one can have a beautiful Uganda crater lake safari with a rich cultural encounter especially from the women who mine salt telling stories of how the crater lake existed and their life experiences and how they carry their day to day activities.
Lake Katwe can be visited mainly in the drier months from January to February, and June to September which can be the best time for salt mining and wildlife viewing at the neibouring National Park like Queen Elizabeth nation park.
Bunyaruguru crater fields
This area has over 20 crater lakes that were named the twin lakes of Kyema and Kameron , Marimba and katinda, lake Nougat ,lake Nyungu ,lake Rwinzogo ,lake Kibwama among others located in western Uganda in the Kichwanba escarpment region of the west rift valley some of these lakes are located adjacent to each other and offer scenic views, Uganda bird watching safaris and Uganda wildlife safaris especially watching hundreds of hippos found in lake Kibwama ,beautiful vegetation characterised by green savannah vegetation among others
The best time to go on Uganda safaris in Bunyaruguru crater field would be best during the dry season which consists of months of January, February, June, August and December although one can have safaris throughout the year, the Uganda wildlife and birding safari around these crater fields are at the peak during the drier season as most of the animals and birds gather to drink water in these lakes and tracking paths are more accessible.
Ndali-kasenda crater fields
If one has a Uganda wildlife safari at Queen Elizabeth National Park Ndali crater fields would be a great Uganda exploration/ Uganda safari as it’s a volcanic area situated next to Queen Elizabeth national park and it has numerous crater lakes for example lake Kasenda, lake Kyantonde, lake Nkuruba, lake Nyabikere, lake kifuruka among others which have beautiful scenic views and offer both Uganda wildlife and birding safaris experience
The best time to visit Ndali-kasanda is in the dry season especially between months of December, January, February, June, July, and August during these months tracking paths are more accessible hence making ones Uganda safari
Fort portal crater lakes
These are found in Kabarole District western Uganda and is famous for its boat cruise and Uganda bird-watching opportunities not forgetting the beautiful scenic views and hiking oportunities.fort portal could be a great place for Uganda wildlife safaris and birdwatching. These lakes include ;lake Nyabikere, lake Lyantonde ,lake Nkuraba these are good for Uganda agro tourism as they are surrounded by fertile soil that encourages growing of plants like Arabica coffee not forgetting beautiful cultural encounters
Kibale crater lakes
These are mainly found near Kibale national park in western Uganda and for one who is on a Uganda wildlife safari in kibale national park mainly gorilla trekking this would be a beautiful added advantage to one’s Uganda safari as some of the crater lakes here act as water grounds for primates like gorillas for example lake Nyinambuga which has fresh clean water and is a home to several primates like monkeys ,baboons among others and one fun fact about this lake is that it appears on the 20,000 note of the Uganda shillings .
The best time to visit the Kibale lakes especially during a Uganda safari is during the dry months of January, December, February, June, July and august as during these months’ tracks are easy to navigate and it is easy to spot wild animals making ones Uganda wildlife safari a beautiful experience
In Conclusion one can be able to enjoy such experiences individually/joined with a Uganda wildlife safari to make it a completely beautiful experience filled with scenic views and relaxing moments that are worth memorable.
