Banda Island is a hidden treasure and daring nature that any tourism fanatic needs not to miss out on. Located in the Northwestern part of Lake Victoria, the isle is part of the eighty-four Islands of the Ssese Island Archipelago in Kalangala district.
For an adventurous heart, it is indeed a beautiful place with the most amazing sunsets. Martin Bahinduka Mugarra, the Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, on his recent visit to the island, described the place as “serene, rustic for relaxing, and an invigorating getaway on Lake Victoria.”
According to the minister, popularized in the 90s by a Kenyan-British adventurer, Dominic Symes, also known as King Dom of Banda Island, with its clear water and sandy beaches, the island has pristine rain forests and stone house structures, calming sunsets, and a myriad of activities to enjoy. It is “an experience worth setting sail for.”
“An intriguing history of Dominic’s life on this island will have you wanting another day of exploration! Tourists can simply bask in the tranquility of the beach while resting on a hammock; adventurous fellows can choose hiking, kayaking, volleyball, fishing, or jet skiing, among other activities. The evenings are even better with fish smoking on the campfire grill, a beer in hand, and good company,“ Mugarra said.
Other activities that can be done at the island include water skiing, wakeboarding, and sailing a small Laser yacht.
There is also fishing, boat trips, nature walks, and a beach volleyball net waiting for the adventurous. In the evening, bonfires can be lit on the beach as one is watching the lights of the fishermen on the lake.
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Getting to Banda can be done in a variety of ways, suiting every level of adventure and the level of cash in one’s wallet. According to the Banda Island Resort team, the best value is to take one of the local boats that traverse from Kasenyi landing site close to Entebbe to the Ssese Islands.
“The poshest option is to travel with one of the Nyanza Evergreen speed ferries or MV Brovad and then from there take a special hire boat,” the team noted.
If one is coming from Mbarara/Masaka, they can also take the ferry from Bukakata (mainland) to Luku (Bugala Island) and drive to Lutoboga and from there take a special hire to Banda.
Above all, the adventurous traveler is assured to also meet friendly and like-minded travelers there to simply enjoy a piece of paradise, while on the other side of the island is a small fishing village.
