Kalangala Island is the largest of the eighty-four Ssese Islands, located in the northwestern part of Lake Victoria in Uganda. The Island is a popular destination for weekend retreats and a favourite choice for couples and Newlyweds looking for a reasonably well-priced honeymoon destination close to Entebbe or Kampala. However, getting there can be quite a daunting experience if you don’t have the right information. So in today’s article, we will discuss what we think (tried & tested) is the best way to get to Kalangala Island.
The best way to get to Kalangala Island
Depending on where you start your travel, there are several ways to get to Kalangala.
Entebbe to Kalangala: There are two ways to get to Kalangala. Depending on your budget, you can fly in a helicopter from Entebbe/Kajjansi Airport or go by boat from Nakiwogo (Port Alice) in Entebbe. Helicopter flights are quite expensive so most travellers choose to go by boat.
By boat, you can hire a private boat or take the Public/scheduled boat or ferry trips that leave at set times. Two (02) scheduled ferry/ship trips that leave from Nakiwogo; the gigantic government-owned MV Kalangala which leaves Nakiwogo (port Alice) in Entebbe at 2:00 pm every day and docks at Lutoboka Landing Bay at about 5:30 pm or the more luxurious Privately owned MV Vanessa or Nathalie that commute the route on particular days. (Check this link for their Schedules: Schedules & Rates).
How Much is it to travel on the Government-owned MV Kalangala? The cost of travelling on the Government-owned MV Kalangala from Nakiwogo (Port Alice) in Entebbe to Kalangala depends on the section of the boat and whether you’re bringing a vehicle:
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Passenger section (Max. 108 incl. crew)UGX10,000 per person in the ordinary section, or UGX14,000 per person in the VIP section.
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Vehicle section (Max. 12 Vehicles)UGX 50,000 for a saloon car, UGX 80,000 for a 4×4 vehicle, or UGX 150,000+ for a truck.
Our Opinion on the Best Way to Get to Kalangala Island.
While the option of hiring a private speed boat is the best way to get to Kalangala Island in time and without much hassle, it is costly.
The MV Kalangala offers the best rates for travelling from Entebbe to Kalangala, however, the downside is that it can turn out to be crowded, and tickets get quickly sold out (there are not that many available).
Secondly, the trip to Kalangala aboard the government-owned MV Kalangala takes about 3 – 4 hours depending on the prevailing weather conditions, and any other unforeseen circumstances which will generally make the trip less enjoyable.
Nyanza Evergreen Waterways a privately owned company operate trips to and from Entebbe using their newly acquired luxury boats named MV Vanessa & MV Nathalie with a seating capacity of 54 passengers. The trip aboard any one of the two MV’s Vanessa or Nathalie takes only 1 hour 15 minutes – But costs slightly more than what it would cost you if you used MV Kalangala. (See: MV Vanessa & Nathalie Schedule & Rates). The journey aboard MV Vanessa or Nathalie is a more enjoyable way to get to Kalangala.
In a nutshell, our recommendation to travellers is to consider working with an experienced Travel agent like Realm Africa Safaris™ to properly plan your Kalangala trip, and also book you onto MV Vanessa or Nathalie – the best way to get to Kalangala Island.
