Lake Nabugabo Uganda

Lake Nabugabo is a perfect place for visitors on Uganda safari holiday to chill and relax from. This lake is one of the magical fresh water Lakes in Central Uganda. It is 20kms away from Masaka and it is a designated Ramsar Wetland given its significant role to the local community around and animals.

The maximum length of Lake Nabugabo is 8.2kms and has maximum width of 5kms. It covers a surface area of 54000acres and lies at altitude of 1180m. Local communities around Lake Nabugabo depend on subsistence farming however, poor farming practices have negatively impacted on the quality of the water and food production.

History of Lake Nabugabo Uganda

The history of Lake Nabugabo can be traced based on its formation. This fresh water lake formed due to sand dunes which were caused by strong winds. Lake Victoria and Lake Nabugabo are divided by Sand bar. It is believed that this lake was isolated from Lake Victoria approximately 5000 years back.

• Faunal and floral species in Lake Nabugabo Uganda

Lake Nabugabo is estimated to have a record of about 300 distinct species of plants. It has 2 endemic flowering plants which don’t exist anywhere else and 14 species in the pearl of Africa are only in this lake. It is dominated by carnivorous plants.

The different animals to expect to see on Uganda safari in Lake Nabugabo include hippos, sitatunga antelopes as well as variety of bird species such as grey crowned cranes, kingfishers, migratory birds to mention but a few. The Nabugabo Ramsar Site is estimated to host about 281 bird species, 15% of which are blue swallow and variety of threatened birds.

Lake Nabugabo system hosts a number of fish species including 8 haplochromines cichlid species-the endemic H. Venator, H. beadlei, H. simpsoni, H. nubilus, haplochromis annectidens, H. velidfer, Astatoreochromis alluaudi, Pseudocreniclabrus multicolor and many more.

Nile perch was also introduced into Lake Nabugabo and unlike the highly predatory Nile perch in Lake Victoria, the endemic haplochromines here got extinct and the endemic haplochromines within Nabugabo Lake System still exist although they are also highly threatened more so the H. venator and H. annectidens which are rare. They are assumed to have disappeared from this lake however, they still exist in Lake Kayugi and Kayanja.

This is because Lake Manywa, Lake Kayugi and Kayanja don’t have the Nile perch thus making them essential refuge for endemic haplochromines. Besides, they also harbor Singida tilapia that also got extinct from Lake Nabugabo and many other lakes which make up the Great Lakes Region.

The other fish species which still exist in Nabugabo Lake System include saddler’s robber tetra, marbled lungfish, longnose stone basher, blue spotted tilapia, redbreast tilapia, redbelly tilapia, silver butter catfish, enteromiys barbs, Victoria stone basher, Fischer’s Victoria squeaker and many others.

Activities to do in Lake Nabugabo Uganda

• Birding tour activity
  

With an estimate of about 281 bird species, Lake Nabugabo is of no doubt an important birding site. On birding tour, the birds to expect to sight include grey crowned cranes, kingfishers, migratory birds and please come along with your pair of binoculars plus camera.

• Swimming

A visit to Lake Nabugabo lets you also to engage in recreational activities like swimming especially in the Terrace View Beach.

• Accommodation in Lake Nabugabo

The available accommodation alternatives in and around Lake Nabugabo include Nabugabo Holiday Centre which is situated on Bukakata route in Masaka, Orchids Village Limited, Sand Beach Resort Nabugabo and many others.

• How to get to Lake Nabugabo

Lake Nabugabo is situated in Masaka just close to Lake Victoria. It is accessible by road and visitors on Uganda safari can begin their journey from Kampala/Entebbe then take the Masaka route which may cover about 2-3 hours’ drive.

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