Uniqueness of Lake Katwe found in Kasese district
Overview
In the southwest Ugandan region of Kasese is the hypersaline lake known as Lake Katwe. It has a long history of salt mining by nearby towns and is well known for having a high percentage of salt.
The Katwe-Kikorongo volcanic field, which includes a collection of crater lakes in the area, is where Lake Katwe is located. Volcanic activity in the vicinity is responsible for the development of the lake. Because of its volcanic origins, it has comparable chemical properties with other lakes in the area and is connected to them by subterranean canals.
The hypersaline nature of Lake Katwe is one of its unique characteristics. The lake is a major location for salt mining because of its high concentration of salt and other minerals. Using age-old techniques that entail evaporating lake water to produce salt crystals, local populations have been extracting salt from Lake Katwe for millennia. After then, this salt is utilized for a number of things, such as trading, food preservation, and cooking.
Although most aquatic life is restricted by Lake Katwe's hypersalinity, some microbes and algae have evolved to withstand this harsh environment. These creatures are essential to the ecosystem of the lake and add to its distinctive richness.
It is possible to exit the Beyond Travel Africa vehicle because the two lakes are beyond the park's limits. There are guides available to walk visitors around Lake Katwe and explain the processes used to evaporate and purify salt. Lesser Flamingos may be seen in varied quantities at Lake Munyanyange, an alkaline lake. Walking around the lake's edge is an option.
Beyond its ecological significance, the lake has environmental value. Additionally, it provides residential water and supports agricultural irrigation, making it a vital water supply for the local populations.
Lake Katwe holds cultural and historical significance for the local communities. Salt mining has been a traditional economic activity in the region, passed down through generations. The mining techniques and knowledge associated with Lake Katwe's salt extraction have been preserved and handed down as part of the local cultural heritage.
How to Travel to Katwe-Kasese Lake
Visitors to Queen Elizabeth National Park may easily reach Lake Katwe, which is around 30 to 40 kilometers from Kase Town. The lake may be included in a park tour and is best accessed by road.
By Road: It takes around seven to eight hours to drive from Kampala to Lake Katwe. The lake is a short drive from Kasese.
By Air: Entebbe offers domestic flights to Kasese Airport from which it takes around half an hour to drive to the lake Katwe
Attractions
Conservation and tourism
Tourists and scholars interested in Lake Katwe's distinctive features have been paying more attention to it in recent years. In addition to learning about the lake's cultural and environmental significance, visitors may engage with the local inhabitants and observe the salt mining process.
Lake Katwe's salt business has been a suitable source of revenue for the locals for many ages, dating back more than 700 years. Speke (1863) and Grant (1864) provided the earliest documented accounts of production, characterizing the product as having a flawlessly pure color and flavor. Evaporation is the primary technique for gathering salt, and the weather affects how quickly it is produced. The first step is to prepare the salt garden by removing all grass from any area, regardless of size or shape. The moist exposed area is covered with dry dirt in the second stage.
Although there aren't many affordable lodging options in the little community of Katwe, there are a handful. Local residents run the eateries, which serve simple local fare. A four-wheel drive is the most suitable if there have been recent rains because the route beyond Lake Katwe is not in very good shape. Before arriving to the pelican point, travelers may see the Kihabule Forest and the Nyamasagani Delta along the trail.
Beautiful Viewpoints
Beautiful sweeping views of Lake Katwe and the adjacent volcanic craters may be seen in the vicinity of the lake. To snap pictures of the lake's splendor or just to soak in the peace and quiet, visitors may stroll or drive a short distance to a variety of overlooks.
Experiences with Culture
In addition to salt mining, tourists may experience the native way of life in the settlements surrounding the lake. Learning about the customs, music, and way of life of those who depend on the salt mining sector for their livelihoods is part of this.
The Manual for the Salt Extraction Process Harvesting:
Locals walk into the lake to collect salt, which is then processed and sun-dried.
Salt Pans: When lake water evaporates and leaves behind salt crystals, miners dig small ponds.
Cultural Significance: The process of mining salt here is a part of the community's cultural legacy and the salt is essential to local lives.
Lake Katwe is a popular destination for birdwatchers. Numerous bird species are drawn to its saline waters, including:
Flamingos: During some seasons, large flocks come to feed on organisms and algae.
Waterfowl: Especially in the morning, ducks, geese, and waders are frequently sighted.
Raptors: Eagles and other raptors frequently fly over the lake in search of fish and small game.
Other animals Although Queen Elizabeth National Park's surrounding regions are home to a variety of animals, the lake itself is not a major wildlife hotspot. These include:
Elephants: One of the greatest locations in Uganda to watch elephants is Queen Elizabeth.
Lions: The Ishasha sector is home to the renowned tree-climbing lions, which are the park's most well-known inhabitants.
The park's grassy plains and water features, like as the adjacent Kazinga Channe a home to buffaloes, hippos, and crocodiles.
Difficulties
Sometimes when we go to pick up medications at Kasenyi Health Center, we don't get enough since Busunga Health Center doesn't receive medications from NMS.
Since there are only two reliable motorbikes in the sub-county and all the parishes are somewhat far away, the shortage of transportation causes delays in monitoring and overseeing our project.
In Kikorongo parish, where there is no water supply, a 20-liter jerry can cost 1,000 shillings.
People have been killed by wild animals mostly in Kasenyi and Katunguru, and it is exceedingly difficult to receive help from park officials.
There are no desks or staff residences at our classrooms.