Discover Uganda Crater Lakes

Discover Uganda Crater Lakes : Uganda distinctively known as “The pearl of Africa” is blessed with over 50 crater lakes which are distinctively characterised with unique aura and beauty. These crater lakes are mainly found in the western rift valley region also locally known as Ndali- Kasenda crater region. This region is mainly between Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth national park and mount Rwenzori National Park. These crater lakes are surrounded by beautiful sceneries and views that will leave one’s Uganda safari experience indeed euphoric and memorable.

While on a Uganda safari, one can customise/ create a joined  Uganda crater lakes safaris to be able to explore all the beauty and rich cultural experience embedded in these cater lakes .There is also an advantage of some Uganda national parks having crater lakes for example Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Mount Rwenzori national park  are spotted with very many crater lakes some being explosion craters while others being volcanic crater lakes so while on a Uganda wildlife  safari one can be able  to enhance their experience with an additional crater lake safaris package.

These crater lakes can be saline at times with a strong smell  like  Katwe crater lake,  found south of  Queen Elizabeth national park 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 major crater lakes in Uganda 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 western part of the country 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.

The best time to visit lake Katwe on a Uganda safari is great mainly in the drier months of January, February, June, August and September which are the best time of salt mining and also viewing wildlife at Queen Elizabeth nation park.

Bunyaruguru crater fields

This area has over 20 crater lakes namely 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.

Discover Uganda Crater Lakes :  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

Discover Uganda Crater Lakes : 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

Discover Uganda Crater Lakes : 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.