Located in Uganda, Bugala Island is one of 84 islands making up the Ssese Islands. It is the tenth-largest lake island in the world.
Bugala Island is a part and largest of the Ssese archipelago (Ssese Islands). They are a total of 84 islands altogether. It is the tenth-largest lake island in the world and it is located in Uganda.
Bugala Island is also the third largest lake island in Africa, behind Tanzania’s Ukerewe Island and the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Idjwi, with a surface area of 275 km2 (106 sq mi).
You may be searching for the perfect place to unwind, preferably on a beautiful white beach somewhere. After an action-packed, and taxing tour to Uganda, this is exactly what you need.
Uganda surprisingly has a place similar to what you’re thinking. It can be found on the islands in Lake Victoria and it’s none other than Bugala island.
Tourist Activities on Bugala Island
Few international tourists visit the Ssese islands. Most travel books give it scant, if any, attention. There is too much competition from the numerous beaches on the coasts of Kenya and Tanzania.
However, weekend visitors from Kampala are highly common, and with good cause, in Bugala Island. For a few days on the islands, you can participate in many fun activities.
Relaxing under beautiful palm trees
Bugala islands are situated on a beautiful beach that tourists can enjoy. One can order a few great cocktails as they marvel at the beauty this location has to offer.
Most hotels in the area make relaxation even easier. Guests may have access to the hotel beach, bar, and rooms. Others offer massage or a sauna for the best experience.
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking is a great way to enjoy and explore the Bugala Islands. The islands offer a large area where one may travel via charming fishing villages, woodlands, and beaches, and explore Bugala island.
Some hotels provide the option to arrange quad biking. You might want to pack a lunch and eat it while quad biking in a secluded area of the island.
Beach Fires and BBQ
As you relax on the beach, you can enjoy a huge bonfire, listen to music, and eat roasted tilapia fish. Most of these activities can always be arranged with the hotels.
It’s even better on a calm night with an African night sky that is well-lit. The best bonfires, particularly when it’s not raining.
Hikes and Nature Walks
There are loads of opportunities for short-to-long hikes and nature walks on Bugala Islands.
These walks can involve visits to surrounding fishing villages, where you can engage in cross-cultural conversations before having a drink and engaging in a lengthy conversation.
Sport Fishing
There are various fishing possibilities available to visitors. You can try your luck by renting a motorboat equipped with a fish finder to explore Lake Victoria’s deep seas.
Whatever you catch, you may prepare it on a very large BBQ grill or ask the chef at your hotel to assist you. These activities can all be reserved in advance for most hotels around the islands.
Tourist attractions in the Bugala Island area
The Kihumuro cave
When you visit the cave, you’ll notice that it has a wide entrance and a small exit. The cave is between thirty and forty meters long. Quite a few individuals still use it when they visit to ask the god Jajja Muwnaga for his favors.
The tour guides that you can find at the cave will take you through the various periods of the cave’s rich cultural and spiritual history. They are best explained by them.
The island club
The bar closes around midnight because the bartenders need to rest before they open up the next day. The island club is like a campsite where different people gather to participate in evening activities after a very long day.
It has relaxing nature in the gardens which is good for resting. At this location, tourists also get to see the setting sun in its glamour.
The tropical forest
The island is covered in a tropical forest, which is home to a variety of local wildlife, including sitatunga antelopes, monkeys, and crocodiles relaxing in the lake.
Additionally, many exotic bird species can be spotted during such a walk.
How to get to Bugala Island
As more private entrepreneurs have invested in sailing vessels access to the Ssese Islands is becoming easier day by day. MV Vanessa and Nathalie filled the gap and reduced the nearly four-hour travel time to the island to only one hour and fifteen minutes.
The MV Kalangala ship, which travels to Kalangala every day and has a set schedule, can now be used to reach Bugala Island. The ship departs Nakiwogo Pier in Entebbe promptly at 2 o’clock and arrives at Lutoboka Pier on Bugala Island at 5.30 o’clock.
At precisely eight in the morning, it departs for Entebbe.
First Class costs UGX 14,000 per person, and Second Class costs UGX 10,000 per person. There is a small restaurant on the ship, so rest assured that you can have a snack or whatever else you prefer.
Accommodation on Bugala Island
To make your stay in the Islands enjoyable, lodges are widely dispersed according to your needs, including beachside and upland lodgings with lake views. Nearly everywhere in Bugala, you will appreciate the cool breeze and wake up to the sound of the birds.
As it is, most visitors come to the islands to enjoy the unique lifestyle the islands offer, including the refreshing breeze of the beaches. So most hotels, resorts, restaurants, and camping sites are reasonably priced.
Some of the best hotels and lodges on Bugala island include:
- Hornbill camp
- Ssese Island Beach Hotel
- Banda Island Resort and campsite
- Islands Club
- Kingfisher camping site
- Mirembe Beach resort
- Panorama camp
- Ssese habitat resort
- Brovad sands Lodge
Conclusion
Excited about visiting the largest island among all the Ssese Islands? Most tourists are usually excited to visit Bugala islands because it has so much to offer.
There’s plenty of wildlife to see such as monkeys, birds, crocodiles, and the Sitatunga antelopes.
Tour guides are available to take you through the island as they explain its histories, beliefs, and activities. Endeavor to visit Bugala island when you visit Uganda on your next safari, there’s so much to explore.
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