Ssese Islands – Sandy Beaches – 1,200 kilometers from the Indian Ocean
Visit the Ssese Islands – Tropical Islands – Lake Victoria while on Safari in Uganda
The Landlocked Ssese Islands – Tropical Islands – Lake Victoria makes Lonely Planet’s top ten list of the 
World’s best secret Islands.
Eighty-four tropical islands found on Lake Victoria – a most pleasant surprise – sandy beaches, fishing for Nile Perch, sailing, boating, ATV Quad Biking, Horseback Riding, Hiking, Birding on the Ssese Islands – Uganda’s Secret Tropical Islands.
The Islands are the best place to relax and chill out after your Gorilla and Chimpanzee Treks. Your Volcano Climbs in the Pearl of Africa. Mid-Range and Luxury Lodging are there, and we can tie our Version of Zanzibar in the landlocked nation of Uganda.
Ssese Islands – Tropical Islands – Lake Victoria are the off-the-beaten-track for most Tourists. It takes a ferry, boat, or airplane ride to get here. The trip will be well worth it to Uganda’s Islands in the Sun, on the Equator on Africa’s largest lake.
Uganda – almost 1,200 kilometers from the India Ocean makes Lonely Planet’s List of the top ten Hidden Islands in the World. The Ssese Islands on Lake Victoria, a lake as large as a sea, with its golden beaches, whispering Palm Trees. its wildlife, birds, and forests, culture, affordability were some of the reasons that they made Lonely Planets list of the world’s best Hidden Islands.
To most, the Lonely Planet’s pick of the Ssese Islands – Tropical Islands – Lake Victoria would come as a surprise. After all, if you are looking for an Island Paradise, and there are 84 of them, one does not look for them in a landlocked nation called Uganda. Call Lake Victoria, the second-largest Freshwater Lake in the World, the largest Tropical Lake there is, the largest lake in Africa, a small ocean with an Archipelago of wondrous 
Tropical Islands which abound with lush vegetation, including many Palm Trees, wildlife, monkeys, birds, friendly and welcoming inhabitants, away from the crowds off of the beaten tourist path.
The reality is that the Ssese Islands – Uganda’s Secret Tropical Islands are already a well-known destination for Ugandans for its beauty, affordability, and ease of access.
Add on top of that fantastic Sunrises and Sunset and Holiday Weather all-year long, at night you have the Moon and a starlit sky along with the lightning over this vast lake which provides spectacular pyrotechnic like displays at night.
The Ssese Islands are the perfect place to unwind after spending days on safari, after trekking gorillas and chimpanzees, golden monkeys, climbing volcanoes, or trekking the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains of the moon, the Islands are simply one of the best places to chill out and relax in Uganda, close to Entebbe International airport and convenient departure for your home country.
Some of the Islands are more accessible than others, Bugala Island can be accessed most easily by ferry from Entebbe and near Masaka. There is the Kalangala Ferry (which also carries vehicles) which was restored to service, the MV Amani which was also restored to service. For safety reasons, it is best to stay away from smaller, Ugandan styled boats.
The private Bulago Island is a 45-minute speedboat ride from Munyonyo and Pineapple Bay Resort is the premier hotel, lodge on the Ssese Island, one of Uganda’s most romantic lodges.
Here on the Ssese Islands, you can visit local Fishing Villages and meet Ugandans, learn their culture and ways. You can go boating, paddling yourself or with a guide, motorboat to various islands, fish for the 
super-sized Nile Perch, or tasty Tilapia, feast on local fruit including, bananas, mangoes, papaya, watermelons, jackfruit and pineapples with a taste and flavor, sweetness not found elsewhere in the world.
Ssese Islands – Uganda’s Secret Tropical Islands provide the perfect backdrop for many activities of which chilling out is foremost, but there is so much more – these hidden and to most secret islands are a paradise largely undiscovered yet treasured by those who visit here as one of the Pearls in the Pearl of Africa – Uganda.
Yes, there is an island in the Sun and in the case of Uganda, it is the Islands in the Sun – the Ssese Islands There is nothing like a beach – sunset dinners such as at the exclusive Pineapple Bay Resort or other hotels or lodges along one of Ssese Island Beaches.
Bugala Island is the island most visited by tourists. Most hotels are located along the lake giving you beachfront views of the lake and access to the lake.
Life here is much slower here than in Kampala, Entebbe, or Jinja, people here live at a slower pace where relationships and friendships are the focus, here you can enjoy some of the friendliest people in Africa. Take a hike through the forests and villages or a relaxing bicycle ride across the island, and you indeed will 
not find a lot of traffic here like in Kampala.
The Ssese Islands – are listed among the world’s best secret Islands by Lonely Planet and what makes them different from many other island destinations is that they are not as developed for tourism, there are no large beach hotels, only one Five Star Resort on Bulago Island.
Hotels on the Ssese range from rustic to moderate for the most part except for Pineapple Bay Resort, which makes it more attractive for those that want to relax and chill out without breaking the bank.
Ssese Islands is the perfect place to chill out in the heart of Africa, in its largest tropical lake, Lake Victoria on some of the secluded islands in Africa, the Ssese Islands ….enjoy Uganda –no wonder Lonely Planet picked it as the best country to visit in 2012…
Tips and Advice for Ssese Island Travelers:
- When visiting the Ssese Islands, it is best to remember Uganda’s HIV – AIDS slogan – ABC – Abstain, Be Faithful, and Condoms. HIV – AIDS infection rate is at least five times higher here than in Kampala. Take a look at our HIV-AIDS advice for visitors to Uganda.
- Avoid coming to the Islands in rickety Fishing Boats without life-vests.
- Avoid weekends and holidays on Bugala Island. It tends to get noisy in the Hotels, the volume is turned up since many Ugandans like to party here on weekends and holidays.
- For more information about the Ssese Islands – see our Things to do and See on the Ssese Islands.
Ssese Islands – Tropical Islands – Lake Victoria – if you have any questions – please contact us
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