SSESE ISLANDS The Ssese Islands are an archipelago of eighty-four islands in the northwestern part of Lake Victoria in Uganda . The islands are coterminous with the Kalangala District in southern Central Uganda, which does not have any territory on mainland Uganda. Location
The islands occupy the northwestern corner of Lake Victoria, the second-largest freshwater lake in the world. The largest island in the archipelago is called Bugala Island. Its largest town, called Kalangala serves as the headquarters of the district that carries the same name (KalangalaDistrict). Kalangala is located approximately 51 kilometers (32 mi), across water, southwest of Entebbe, in Wakiso District, on the Ugandan mainland. 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 can be referred to as the Bugala Group, after Bugala Island, the largest in the archipelago. The northeastern group can be referred to as the Koome Group, after Koome Island, the largest in that group. The two groups are separated by the Koome Channel. Other islands in the Bugala Group include: Bubeke, Bubembe, Bufumira,Bugaba, Bukasa, Buyova , Funve and Serinya. The main islands in the Koome Group include: Damba, Koome and . OVERVIEW The Sesse Islands are inhabited by the Bantu speaking Bassese tribe, closely related to the Buganda and the Basoga, and speaking a similar, though distinct language. Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the islands were one of the most important spiritual centers of the region. About 43 (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. Henry Morton Stanley described the inhabitants as "the principal canoe builders and the greater number of the sailors of Mutesa's empire.
The most popular route that the islands can be accessed is through Nakiwogo near Entebbe by MV Kalangala as the main gateway to the archipelagos. Transfer between Nakiwogo and Bugala Island is usually 3½ hours. From Bukakata: From the western part of Uganda, a free car ferry links Bukakata mainland located 36km east of Masaka with Luku on Bugala Islands about 50 minutes sailing. The ferry sails either directions every few hours from early morning to late afternoon. The morning trips on Sunday are not available. From Kasenyi landing site: To get to Banda Island, there are small wooden boats departing from Kasenyi, a fishing village 7km off Entebbe-Kampala road; turn off is 5km outside Entebbe. On Bugala Island there are shared taxis that run from Kalangala to Luku. Economic activity
Fishing for the huge Nile Perch , with much of the catch being exported. Overfishing is a huge concern on these and other islands in Lake Victoria. Other industries include agriculture,forestry and tourism. Livestock farming is practiced on the islands. It is estimated that 3,000 cattle, 250,000 poultry (chicken and ducks), 1,235 goats and 7,000 Pigs are kept on the islands. BIDCO, a private palm oil processor based in Jinja District , on the mainland, owns a 15,000 acres (6,100 ha) palm oil plantation on the islands. In addition, outgrower 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 the oil processing plant and the excess is sold to Kalangala, the largest town on the islands. Logging is another economic activity that is practiced on the Ssese Islands. Flora and fauna The islands are also home to a variety of animals including primates, which are not easily accessible on the mainland. This has led to the evolution of a nascent but growing tourism industry on the islands.
Ssese Island is a great holiday destination to go with families and friends for many reasons. For one, the pace of life in islands is much slower, and after weeks of work and bustling about, you will want a place like Ssese to getaway and relax. If travelling with kids then you need not worry since there are quite some exciting places to visit. There are plenty of daytime activities for kids including wildlife viewing and boat rides by the lake. While at Ssese Islands with Family, you can stay in the Brovad Sands Lodge. The swimming pool is well maintained so as to give you a perfect swimming experience. The rooms at Brovad Sands Lodge are spacious and modern with an African architecture, fittings and amazing artwork with free Wi-Fi internet.
2. For Weddings and Romantic getaways Romantic destinations are all the rage nowadays and Ssese Islands has many cool spots where you can have your dream wedding. And if you would prefer a more private holiday, then you would want to know that romantic Getaways in Ssese are quite something as well. Think of destinations such as Brovad Sands Lodge. When looking for a romantic getaway, go for modern lodges with relaxing and serene ambiance and quality accommodation facilities and food. 3. For the Wildlife and Bird watching Wildlife viewing is a popular activity especially for guests visiting Ssese Islands and its 84 archipelagos. The islands have beautiful sandy beaches, palms, exotic plants and flowers. There are is a tropical forest filled with primates such as monkeys and other species of wildlife such as the Sitatunga Antelopesexotic
For Beach visits & Boat rides Lake Victoria has many cool beaches, although most are undeveloped and you do not get to swim. Still, there is still the tranquility that you will find Bugala Island a cool refreshing breeze that will help you relax and unwind. African Grey Parrot has a great viewing area that is perfect for picnics and sundowners by the lake. It is a great spot from where you can go boat riding and view plenty of bird species.
For Conference & Business meetings Conference tourism has grown in popularity for the fact that conferences and some business meetings are more effective if they are away from the office or out of town. Different environments are known to inspire people to focus and be more creative or innovative, and Ssese Islands is known to be one such environment. With the conference packages at Brovad Sands Lodge, your team will be well fed and with quality accommodation. The laid back nature of Ssese will be particularly great for company parties and launches. If you are on business in Kalangala or its environments, Brovad Sands Lodge on Bugala Island is a great place to stay. Brovad Sands Lodge offers high end accommodation and continental breakfast at such great value. 7. For Lake Victoria – Africa’s Largest Lake If you don’t go to the lake for anything else, go for the fact that Lake Victoria ranks highly in plenty of Lake Statistics even on a global scale. Amongst others, it is the world’s largest tropical Lake and the largest lake by surface area in Africa. With these mentions, visiting Lake Victoria should come with some prestige. If you ever go to Egypt, you can casually throw in humorous talk about your boat riding adventures in the source of the River Nile. Pack up and head to Ssese Islands, take that breather that you and your family really need, as you watch the sunset over Lake Victoria. GALLERY
The Ssese Islands are an archipelago of eighty-four islands in the northwestern part of Lake Victoria in Uganda . The islands are coterminous with the Kalangala District in southern Central Uganda, which does not have any territory on mainland Uganda.
Location
The islands occupy the northwestern corner of
Lake Victoria, the second-largest freshwater lake in the world. The largest island in the archipelago is called Bugala Island. Its largest town, called Kalangala serves as the headquarters of the district that carries the same name (KalangalaDistrict). Kalangala is located approximately 51 kilometers (32 mi), across water, southwest of Entebbe, in Wakiso District, on the Ugandan mainland. 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 can be referred to as the Bugala Group, after Bugala Island, the largest in the archipelago. The northeastern group can be referred to as the Koome Group, after Koome Island, the largest in that group. The two groups are separated by the Koome Channel.
Other islands in the Bugala Group include:
Bubeke, Bubembe, Bufumira,Bugaba, Bukasa,
Buyova , Funve and Serinya. The main islands in the Koome Group include: Damba, Koome and
.
OVERVIEW
The Sesse Islands are inhabited by the Bantu speaking Bassese tribe, closely related to the
Buganda and the Basoga, and speaking a similar, though distinct language. Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the islands were one of the most important spiritual centers of the region. About 43 (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.
Henry Morton Stanley described the inhabitants as "the principal canoe builders and the greater number of the sailors of Mutesa's empire.
The most popular route that the islands can be accessed is through Nakiwogo near Entebbe by MV Kalangala as the main gateway to the archipelagos. Transfer between Nakiwogo and Bugala Island is usually 3½ hours.
From Bukakata: From the western part of Uganda, a free car ferry links Bukakata mainland located 36km east of Masaka with Luku on Bugala Islands about 50 minutes sailing. The ferry sails either directions every few hours from early morning to late afternoon. The morning trips on Sunday are not available.
From Kasenyi landing site: To get to Banda Island, there are small wooden boats departing from Kasenyi, a fishing village 7km off Entebbe-Kampala road; turn off is 5km outside Entebbe.
On Bugala Island there are shared taxis that run from Kalangala to Luku.
Economic activity
Fishing for the huge Nile Perch , with much of the catch being exported. Overfishing is a huge concern on these and other islands in Lake Victoria. Other industries include agriculture,forestry and tourism.
Livestock farming is practiced on the islands. It is estimated that 3,000 cattle, 250,000 poultry (chicken and ducks), 1,235 goats and 7,000
Pigs are kept on the islands.
BIDCO, a private palm oil processor based in
Jinja District , on the mainland, owns a 15,000 acres (6,100 ha) palm oil plantation on the islands. In addition, outgrower 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 the oil processing plant and the excess is sold to Kalangala, the largest town on the islands.
Logging is another economic activity that is practiced on the Ssese Islands.
Flora and fauna
The islands are also home to a variety of animals including primates, which are not easily accessible on the mainland. This has led to the evolution of a nascent but growing tourism industry on the islands.
Ssese Island is a great holiday destination to go with families and friends for many reasons. For one, the pace of life in islands is much slower, and after weeks of work and bustling about, you will want a place like Ssese to getaway and relax. If travelling with kids then you need not worry since there are quite some exciting places to visit. There are plenty of daytime activities for kids including wildlife viewing and boat rides by the lake. While at Ssese Islands with Family, you can stay in the Brovad Sands Lodge. The swimming pool is well maintained so as to give you a perfect swimming experience. The rooms at Brovad Sands Lodge are spacious and modern with an African architecture, fittings and amazing artwork with free Wi-Fi internet.
2. For Weddings and Romantic getaways
Romantic destinations are all the rage nowadays and Ssese Islands has many cool spots where you can have your dream wedding. And if you would prefer a more private holiday, then you would want to know that romantic Getaways in Ssese are quite something as well. Think of destinations such as Brovad Sands Lodge. When looking for a romantic getaway, go for modern lodges with relaxing and serene ambiance and quality accommodation facilities and food.
3. For the Wildlife and Bird watching
Wildlife viewing is a popular activity especially for guests visiting Ssese Islands and its 84 archipelagos. The islands have beautiful sandy beaches, palms, exotic plants and flowers. There are is a tropical forest filled with primates such as monkeys and other species of wildlife such as the Sitatunga Antelopesexotic
For Beach visits & Boat rides
Lake Victoria has many cool beaches, although most are undeveloped and you do not get to swim. Still, there is still the tranquility that you will find Bugala Island a cool refreshing breeze that will help you relax and unwind. African Grey Parrot has a great viewing area that is perfect for picnics and sundowners by the lake. It is a great spot from where you can go boat riding and view plenty of bird species.
For Conference & Business meetings
Conference tourism has grown in popularity for the fact that conferences and some business meetings are more effective if they are away from the office or out of town. Different environments are known to inspire people to focus and be more creative or innovative, and Ssese Islands is known to be one such environment. With the conference packages at Brovad Sands Lodge, your team will be well fed and with quality accommodation. The laid back nature of Ssese will be particularly great for company parties and launches. If you are on business in Kalangala or its environments, Brovad Sands Lodge on Bugala Island is a great place to stay. Brovad Sands Lodge offers high end accommodation and continental breakfast at such great value.
7. For Lake Victoria – Africa’s Largest Lake
If you don’t go to the lake for anything else, go for the fact that Lake Victoria ranks highly in plenty of Lake Statistics even on a global scale. Amongst others, it is the world’s largest tropical Lake and the largest lake by surface area in Africa. With these mentions, visiting Lake Victoria should come with some prestige. If you ever go to Egypt, you can casually throw in humorous talk about your boat riding adventures in the source of the River Nile. Pack up and head to Ssese Islands, take that breather that you and your family really need, as you watch the sunset over Lake Victoria.
GALLERY
EXTERNAL LINKS
http://sseseislandsclub.com/
http://www.traveluganda.co.ug/ssese.php