Uganda’s Lake Edward

Uganda’s Lake Edward 

Uganda’s Lake Edward : also known as Lake Rutanzige or Edward Nyanza is one of the smallest African Great lakes. It beautifies Queen Elizabeth National Park and also located on the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. This Lake and its neighbor Lake George supposedly formed one large lake in the past. However, the lava from the surrounding fields, the Nyamuragira and the Maya-ya-moto volcanoes flowed in and separated the two. As a result, leaving only the Kazinga Channel between them.

The lake is located in Kasese district, in the western region of Uganda and shared by Uganda about 29% of its surface area and the Democratic Republic of Congo 71% of the surface area. The Lake generally covers a surface area of about 2325 square kilometers lying at an elevation of 920 meters and it’s not so deep. The main inflows of the lake include; River Ntungwe, River Ishasha, River Rutshuru, River Nyamugasani, River Rwindi and River Lubilia.

Interesting facts about the Lake

The main inlet to Lake Edward is river Semliki and Kazinga Channel which empties to the northeast of Lake George. This lake was first discovered by a European explorer Henry Morton Stanley in 1888, during the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition. It was named in privilege of the prince of Wales Prince “Albert Edward” the son of the British monarch ‘Queen Victoria” by then and later became King Edward VII.

Later, during the regime of Idi Amin Dada who was the president of Uganda by then, decided to rename the Lake by his name; Lake Idi Amin Dada, but the name didn’t stay for so long. In fact, the downfall of Idi Amin and his government in Uganda, brought back the name of the lake; Lake Edward.  Putting aside, from the Lake’s view, you can clearly see the montane woodlands in the Albertine rift region. Additionally, it is boarded by Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Semliki River valley game reserve in the north western shore, with swamps like Rutshuru, Rwindi and Ishasha river in the northeastern shores of Edward.

Like Lake George, Lake Edward is designated as a Ramsar site due to the importance of its wetland habitat. It is inhabited by many fishing species some of which include; the Nile tilapia, Oreo chromil, Leocosticus, Haplochromine, Haplochromis, Blue-spotted tilapia, etc. Fishing is an important activity and it provides an income for the local residents and Vitshumbi is the largest of the local fishing markets.

Besides, the lake’s shores no longer have human settlement because the waters of the lake had swallowed away the dry places around. Along the lake, there is a clear view of the beautiful scenery of snow Rwenzori Mountain. Since it adjoins the open savannah grassland of Queen Elizabeth National Park, there are rewardable views of savannah plains. On the banks of Lake Edward, it inhabits attractive animals such as buffaloes, elephants, crocodiles, hippos, chimpanzees, etc. 

Activities done in and around Lake Edward

Fishing

There is a lot of fishing activities going on around this lake since the lake has got a number of fish species. Some of these include; the Nile tilapia, Bugrass docmark, Oreo chromil, Leocosticus, Haplochromine, etc. If interested, you will be guide to one of the fishing sites learning different methods of fishing.

Birding

The lake is a popular birding spot in Queen Elizabeth National Park with commonly different spotted bird species. Some of these include; goliath herons, saddle-billed storks, marabou storks, little egret. Great cormorants, African white-backed vultures, ruppell’s griffon vultures, pelicans, fish eagles,  Egyptian geese, nightjars, etc.

Guided nature walks

These walks are conducted along the shores and the swampy wetlands offering opportunities of getting up-close different animals. These include; hippos, elephants, buffaloes as well as wetland bird species such as kingfishers, lesser flamingos, etc.

Canoeing

This is one of the more relaxing activities done at the Lake since the water is known for being calm. The activity offers tourists an opportunity of watching the different bird species and animals that call this lake a home.