The other side of Lake Victoria

After spending a few weeks by Lake Victoria on the Kenyan side, we saw the lake as a precious resource of food and water. As a place of labor and often struggle.

In Uganda, while at Entebbe, we saw a different side to the lake.

Lake Victoria is the second biggest freshwater lake in the world and so it only makes sense that it not only be a place of utility but also a place of entertainment, a place of relaxation and leisure.

Perhaps it is due to the much more developed nature of Entebbe when compared to the places we were by the lake in Kenya but on the Ugandan side all over the lake side there were cafes, bars and restaurants. People, often expats, flocked to such places to enjoy the beautiful sights that nature has to offer.

Most cities in Africa seem to be extremely congested places and being able to sit in silence by the lake while grabbing a slice of pizza was one of the most gratifying experiences we had. Just taking the time to reflect upon all the things we’d seen and we were experiencing…

Entebbe also has another relatively unknown attraction called Aero beach.

At this sort of lake beach resort, clients can not only enjoy a meal and a beer by the shore but also appreciate the delights of a kids attraction park, a swim in the lake (if you do not mind the bacteria) and a plethora of old abandoned aircraft just standing around. Old MiGs, a Boeing 707 and even the fairly rare sight of a Caravelle (if you have any interest in these things).

The difference in the way the lake is treated on both sides of the border is just astonishing.

In Rusinga, Kenya, besides going for a dip in the water while doing the laundry, the lake was all about business. You fish, you gather water, you wash whatever needs washing, you go home. At Entebbe, the lake was a place of leisure where you spend your expendable income (a non-existing concept in Rusinga) in enjoying yourself.

Two places that at the same time are so close and so far...