Spend A weekend on Kalangala Island: Kalangala Island is the largest of all eighty-four sesse Islands located in the northwestern part of Lake Victoria in Uganda. The Island is a popular destination for weekend retreats and also a favorite choice for couples seeking a reasonably well-priced honeymoon destination close to Entebbe.
Things to See & Do on Kalangala Island A weekend on kalangala Island
Water Sports, Fishing and Cruises on Lake Victoria
Located on Africas Largest & second largest lake in the world (after Lake Superior) Kalangala Island is a popular destination for persons seeking to go fishing and or boating On Lake Victoria. The boating activities are endless, and of course, the water sports in a tropical setting – fish Africa’s largest freshwater fish – the elusive Nile Perch, Tilapia from a boat or the shoreline of your Hotel overlooking the Lake. For persons who love to engage in less rigorous activities may consider taking a sundowner cruise on the lake – speak to your hotel and see if they can add a bottle of wine and some crackers to spice up your sundowner. Fishing however remains is one of the favorite activities of tourists coming to Kalangala Islands.
Guided Nature Walks:
Kalangala Island offers quite varied options for Hikes and guided nature walks that start from your Hotel. These can be from short to full-day hikes that visit the Villages, including fishing Villages where you have a chance to take in a unique cultural exchange, that may include having a drink and chat with a local Islander. You can also visit Schools and meet future Islanders and most often can enjoy a song and dance with the school-children – we recommend bringing some school supplies like books, pens, pencils, etc – don’t bring cash as this is a proven to help but rather destroy the kids future. However if you have the heart to donate some big Cash, we can assist you to identify a genuine school or charity organization to work with.
Biking – Mountain Biking or ATV Quad-Biking on Kalangala Island
Kalangala Island is a perfect place to explore with a mountain bike or on the back of an ATV Quad Bike. You can ride through local fishing villages, forests, even along the beach line and get to interact with the locals of the Island.
While it is common for most lodges to have mountain bikes, they are for rent. As for Quad-Bike, they can be hired from select lodges on the Islands. Let us know that you are interested in Quad-Biking for us to make arrangements for you.
Enjoy a bonfire by the Lake A weekend on kalangala Island
It’s a norm for most hotels on Kalangala Island to lite a bonfire fire by the beach In the evenings. At these bonfires you get to have the chance to chat away with other people staying at your hotels, you can also drink away to the evening or rather arrange with your hotel to allow you experience the art of roasting your own freshly picked tilapia Fish out of Lake Victoria.
Where to Stay on your Trip to Kalangala
Guided by your budget, there are quite a number of places to stay on Kalangala Island that range from the very basic low-budget hotels that also offer camping grounds and shared ablution areas with cold showers. However, properties like Brovad Sands lodge offer very affordable great-value spacious ensuite cottages each with a water heater, a bathtub & a shower.
Top tip: If staying at Brovad Sands lodge, ask for the rooms: 30, 31, or 32 each with undisrupted views of the Lake – These are ideal for Honeymooners and couples. If traveling as a family, ask for the family villas that sleep a family of four ( Mother, Father & Four Kids)
How to get to Kalangala Island
From Entebbe, get to Port Alice in Nakiwogo, where you can choose to board the affordable government-owned MV Ferry Kalangala that departs at 2 pm (be here earlier to get through the registration process) every day. The trip aboard the MV Kalangala takes about 3 – 4 hours depending on the prevailing weather conditions on the Lake.
Alternatively, if your budget allows, you could opt to board the more luxurious privately owned MV Vannessa or Nathalie that takes only 1.5 hours to get from Entebbe to Kalangala.
Learn more about the best way to get to Kalangala Island.
