Lake Albert – named after the long-deceased Prince Albert by Sir Samuel Baker & His Lady Florence, the lake is the second-largest Lake in Uganda and the Seventh-biggest on the continent of Africa.
Located in the centre of the African continent, on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is about 160 km (100 mi) long and 30 km (19 mi) wide, with a maximum depth of 51 m (168 ft), and a surface elevation of 619 m (2,030 ft) above sea level. Lake Albert is Uganda’s second-largest freshwater lake after Lake Victoria.
Lake Albert is part of the Greater Nile. Its main source of water is the Victoria Nile which is birthed out of the Nile River after plunging through a narrow 7 meter-wide gap and falling 43 meters in what they call present-day Murchison Falls. Lake Albert is more saline than its “mother” the Victoria Nile – hence the formation of the Kibiro salt garden.
Visitors to this place might most likely not credit it today, but Butiaba was a big commercial centre during the colonial era. Butaiba Airstrip is a historical point where Ernest Hemingway, his wife Mary and Captains Rosh Marsh and Reginald Cartwright who survived what was supposed to be a Hemingway rescue flight out of Butiaba right after surviving the first one at Murchison Falls. At Butaiba you will also take a glance at the ruins of the ss Robert Corydon
The Kibiro salt gardens and fishing Village yet another offbeat experience on your way into Murchison or rather out of Murchison Falls National Park. Kibiro is known for its unique salt production method. Kibiro produces perhaps the best salt with up to 97.6% pure sodium chloride.
Sandwiched between Lake Albert and the and the Rift Valley escarpment, Kabwoya Game Reserve is another off-beat experience. On a visit to this reserve, you and the family can enjoy quad biking, night safaris bird watching and fossil hunting – this is the perfect family safari with children.
WHERE TO STAY WHILE VISITING LAKE ALBERT
The most ideal place to stay would be in Hoima Town. This small but vibrant town offers quite a number of accommodation options. However, our recommended lodges and hotels include; Hoima cultural lodge, Kontiki Safari lodge, and glory summit hotel.
If your budget allows, you may consider driving to the neighbouring Kabwoya game reserve and staying at Lake Albert Safari Lodge.