Immerse yourself in the heart of Africa and discover the islands of Lake Victoria in Tanzania

You may not be familiar with the name, but Lake Victoria is the second largest lake in the world and the largest freshwater lake in Africa. It is part of the Great Lakes region. It has a maximum depth of 80 metres, but the average is closer to 40 metres over most of its length. It was discovered by British explorers in 1858. It was named "Lake Victoria" in honour of Queen Victoria of England. But as the largest freshwater reserve in equatorial Africa, it has always played an essential role in the lives of the people who live around the lake. Fishing is practised intensively here, making the region an important economic breeding ground for each of the neighbouring countries.

Discovering Lake Victoria means immersing yourself in the local culture, far removed from the mass tourism that can sometimes be seen in some parts of Africa, especially the large national parks and game reserves where 4x4s jostle for lions and other natural wonders. But Lake Victoria is not without its attractions. With its thousands of islands, the wildlife of the lake region offers life in abundance. Home to numerous aquatic and terrestrial species, and despite intensive fishing, no fewer than 500 species of fish thrive in the deep waters.

But you'll also find other aquatic and semi-aquatic animals, such as crocodiles, hippos and spotted otters. Birdwatchers will be amazed to see such rare species as the African fish eagle, the hoofbeak, the carruthers' cisticola, the cane warbler and the grey-headed gull. Mammals include elephants, primates and bushbuck.

A private cabin on Lake Victoria at Mwanza, a magnificent place to unwind!

Starting your journey around the lake in the town of Mwanza, you will discover one of Tanzania's largest cities after Dar Es Salaam. Bordering the lake, you'll see the magnificent Bismarck Rock rising out of the water, the town's famous landmark. Over the years, this rock has become the city's emblem, earning it the nickname 'Rock City'. The town has a number of points of interest, including colonial buildings such as Dr Robert Koch's house. An Indian library, mosques and Hindu temples perfectly reflect the Indian influence that gravitates around the town.

Looking for souvenirs? Head to the Makoroboi district, which is packed with shops of all kinds. The city is a lakeside town surrounded by hills and rocks. Although it's a large town, it's an excellent base for exploring this magnificent lake of a thousand wonders. It is also an interesting stop-off point after a safari in the Serengeti, which is fairly close to the town. The drive from the Serengeti takes around 5 hours.

After discovering Mwanza, it's time to explore the lake's islands. There are around 3,000 of them, so it's hard to go round them all. All of them are magnificent, lushly landscaped and nestling in the hollows of some of the lake's fine sandy beaches. The largest of them, Ukerewe, is located around 45 kilometres north of Mwanza and is a 3-hour ferry ride away. It covers an area of over 500 km2, making it the largest inland island on the African continent. It used to be a vast forest home to many species of animal, including elephants. But little by little, people migrated to the island to settle there permanently. Today, it is a well-known refuge for albinos, who come here to seek shelter from local beliefs.

Today, it is a holiday destination that attracts visitors with its sandy beaches. However, there is very little accommodation in Nansio, the island's main town. Going to a remote corner is a great opportunity to really immerse yourself in the local culture. Then set off to discover the Rubya forest, the largest on the island. You'll be immersed in an enchanting atmosphere not far from the banks of the lake, where you can relax after a walk in the heart of nature.

Not far from Mwanza, you'll find another island just as interesting as Urekewe. Rubondo Island is home to a national park where you can go on safari! Located in the south-west of the park in the Emin Pasha Gulf, it was created in 1977 by veterinary surgeon Bernard Grzimek. With a surface area of 457 km2, it is the emerged part of the island, of volcanic origin, that is accessible. Very elongated and rather narrow, it measures just 28 kilometres from north to south. The island is predominantly rainforest (around 90%), with the rest divided between grassland and papyrus. The flora is therefore one of the island's major assets, and there are no fewer than 40 species of orchid on the island!

As for the fauna, the native mammals are animals that have adapted to the wetlands. These include otters, hippos and satatungas, which are none other than aquatic antelopes! You'll also come across mongooses, vervet monkeys and colobus monkeys, as well as elephants, rhinos, chimpanzees and giraffes, all of which have been successfully introduced to the island! This island is a success story in the conservation of endangered wildlife! It's the perfect place to discover this lush natural environment completely off the beaten track.