The Ssese Islands are an archipelago of 84 islands in the northwest of Lake Victoria, Uganda. About 43 of the islands are inhabited. The islands vary in size from less than 10,000 m², to over 40 km long for the largest island, Buggala.
The islands get their names from the enormous swarms of lakeflies that breed in giant clouds near the shores. Although this sounds irritating, the enormity of the swarms is quite a sight. If one is caught near a breeding swarm, it can be quite a nuisance, though it disperses after a couple of hours. Otherwise, the lake flies are little noticeable, and they do not bite.
- Buggala Island is easily accessible by ferry, and is a regular weekend destination for Kampala residents. The island forms an L shape (with the long stem of the L pointing south, and the other stem pointing west). There are several beachfront hotels along Kalangala Bay near the ferry dock, which is near the corner of the L. The bay forms one large beach, and it is more or less possible to walk between most of the hotels along the beach. The bay is generally serene, but one of the hotels may blare out a thumping disco beat that covers the whole area, especially on weekends.
- Bulago Island is a small island closer to the lakeshore that is run by a resort.
- Bukasa Island is a small island containing Father Christopher's guest house.
- Banda Island is another small island, more remote, that also has a guest house.
- Other islands that can be visited (with varying degrees of ease) are Bubeke and Bufumira.
Buggala Island is easily accessible by ferry, and is a regular weekend destination for Kampala residents. The island forms an L shape (with the long stem of the L pointing south, and the other stem pointing west). There are several beachfront hotels along Kalangala Bay near the ferry dock, which is near the corner of the L. The bay forms one large beach, and it is more or less possible to walk between most of the hotels along the beach. The bay is generally serene, but one of the hotels may blare out a thumping disco beat that covers the whole area, especially on weekends.
Bulago Island is a small island closer to the lakeshore that is run by a resort.
Bukasa Island is a small island containing Father Christopher's guest house.
Banda Island is another small island, more remote, that also has a guest house.
Other islands that can be visited (with varying degrees of ease) are Bubeke and Bufumira.
The islands are a Luganda-speaking area. Outside of Kalangala bay, locals on the islands may not speak English.
Buggala Island is large enough to have diverse terrains. It is hilly. From the tops of the hills, though, the views are stunning. Most of the southern stem of the L is dominated by palm oil plantations, which dominate the landscape somewhat repetitively. Along the southern end near Mulabana, there is a swamp that contains hippos. Along the western end of the island, not far from Luku, is the Mutumbula swimming beach.
The islands are teeming with birds, and vervet monkeys are common. There are occasional large snakes.
Mostly, people just sit along the beach and stare at the tranquil surroundings. On weekend nights, there is a bit of a party scene along Kalangala bay, though the atmosphere is mostly relaxed.
Bicycles can be rented in Kalangala Town. It is a full day trip from there to Mutumbula (with time to spend on the beach in between), and an athletic dusk-to-dawn trip, or an overnight trip, to Mulabana and back. Kayaks and motorboats may be rented from the Hornbill camp.
The hotels along Kalangala Bay have acceptable Ugandan fare, and plenty to drink. It is quite possible to eat and drink at one hotel and stay at another. On the other island, visitors will generally need to bring some or all of their own food.
Most of the beach front hotels in Kalangala Bay have bars.
- The ferry from the mainland is unreliable, and small wooden launches may be substituted. Storms and waves may be too much for them, particularly when they are heavily loaded, and sinking is a real danger.
- AIDS is a serious health problem in the Ssese Islands, and the infection rate is extremely high. Among the fishing villages of the islands, more than 90% of the population are reported to be infected.
- Nile Crocodiles are common on the islands and, due to over-fishing by humans and a lack of abundant prey in the area, have taken to attacking humans with more consistency. It is necessary that all be aware of the risk and take the proper precautions in order to limit both human and animal suffering. Almost all attacks can be avoided by taking precautions (such as not swimming, walking near the water's edge, or traveling in very small boats.)
- Do not go swimming! You can contract several diseases (most notably Bilharzia) from swimming in Lake Victoria, no matter how enchanting it looks.
The ferry from the mainland is unreliable, and small wooden launches may be substituted. Storms and waves may be too much for them, particularly when they are heavily loaded, and sinking is a real danger.
AIDS is a serious health problem in the Ssese Islands, and the infection rate is extremely high. Among the fishing villages of the islands, more than 90% of the population are reported to be infected.
Nile Crocodiles are common on the islands and, due to over-fishing by humans and a lack of abundant prey in the area, have taken to attacking humans with more consistency. It is necessary that all be aware of the risk and take the proper precautions in order to limit both human and animal suffering. Almost all attacks can be avoided by taking precautions (such as not swimming, walking near the water's edge, or traveling in very small boats.)