The Albertine Rift Valley Lakes
The Albertine Rift Valley Lakes
The Albertine Rift Valley is the western part of the East African Rift Valley system. It is a result of a geographical land formation process called faulting, which is distributed across different continents. This extreme tectonic activity led to the sinking of the Earth’s crust. Eventually, it led to the formation of depressions that were later filled by water. Hence, the formation of the celebrated lakes.
These geographical changes through plate tectonism led to unique elevations that currently act as natural habitats for diverse wildlife. The elevation zones stretch from the glaciers at the top of the Rwenzori Mountains down to the Alpine moorland, wetlands, lowland montane forests, and savanna grasslands. Western Rift Valley sprawls across the borders of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Burundi.
Topographically, the Albertine rift valley is characterized by mountains, hills, valleys, and escarpments. Some of the highlands in the Albertine region include the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda, the Lendu plateau in northeastern Congo. The Virunga Mountains are shared by Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo, and the Itombwe Mountains in South Kivu province in Congo. The Albertine Lakes are the longest, deepest, and oldest lakes in the Eastern Rift Valley. They are often referred to as the central African lakes, and they include.
Lake Tanganyika
Lake Tanganyika covers a total surface area of approximately 32,900 square kilometers, with a depth of 570m and a length of over 418 miles from north to south. This lake is fed by water from different small rivers, with the river Ruzizi in the lead. The River Ruzizi flows from Lake Kivu. The lake has a single outlet River Lukuga, that drains into the Congo basin. This lake is believed to be one of the oldest water bodies in the world. It has a stable surrounding that has led to the development of diverse breeds of both animal and plant life.
Lake Tanganyika is home to over 300 fish species, some of which are endemic, thus making it a favorable ground for research. Some of the fish species in the lake include cichlid fish, sleek lates, sprat, and sardine-like dagga, which have become a major source of income for the natives through fishing. In addition to fish, the lake houses more aquatic creatures like crocodiles, water cobras, molluscs, crustaceans, and many others. The lake also facilitates water transport across the counties where it lies. It is bordered by national parks that protect diverse wildlife and act as wonderful tourism attractions.
Lake Kivu
This is another lake within the Albertine rift, lying at the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This lake covers over 2700 square kilometers with a length of 90 kilometers, a width of 48 kilometers (30 miles), and a depth of 485 meters (1591 feet).
The existence of this lake is partially influenced by both faulting, as it is part of the Albertine rift valley, and volcanicity due to its proximity to the Virunga Volcanoes. In the deep waters of Lake Kivu are minerals like Methane and carbon dioxide, which are used to generate electricity.
The shores of the lake are endowed with beautiful sand beaches that provide luxurious activities like sunbathing, swimming, canoeing, windsurfing, and water sports, mainly found in Gisenyi, Kibuye, and Cyangugu towns. You can visit Lake Kivu as part of your itinerary from Volcanoes National Park after gorilla or chimpanzee tracking, from game drives in Akagera National Park, or Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Fishing
The lake is home to over 28 fish species, around the lake are 182 plant species, 52 invertebrates, 6 mammals, 6 reptiles, and 5 amphibian species. In addition, one can spot several bird species on a boat cruise. Many people earn from the lake through fishing.
Lake Kivu is not only a source of livelihood through fishing but also a popular tourist destination on the islands. Some of the islands include Amahoro Island. Napoleon Island, Idjwi Island, Amizero Island, Iwawa Island, and many others. All the islands offer beautiful scenery of the lake, and fishing, and are a bird watcher’s paradise, and bring tourists to interact with the local community.
Since the lake is shared by two countries, management and coordination of all the activities is done by the Kivu and Ruzizi Authority. This has helped to promote wildlife conservation, tourism, fisheries, and agriculture along the shores.
Lake Kivu is truly an essential natural resource, though at risk of gas eruption, which will prove a challenge to both human and environmental protection.on
Lake Albert
It is a naturally occurring freshwater body lying between Uganda and the democratic republic of Congo. This lake is a geological feature of the East African Rift Valley system. Lake Albert is the seventh largest lake in Africa with an area coverage of 5300 square kilometers, a length of 160 kilometers, a width of 30 kilometers, and a depth of 51 meters. The lake draws most of its water from the Victoria Nile that rises from Lake Victoria through Lake Kyoga to the north and River Semliki, which later drains into Lake Edward to the south.
Lake Albert has a dramatic landscape that offers breathtaking views of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges in the south and rocky escarpments in the west. A section of the lake sits within the Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve and is host to wonderful wildlife like hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, waterbucks, oribi, duikers, waterbucks, and primates like monkeys and olive baboons.
One can see much of the wildlife when carrying out different tourism activities in the places surrounding the lake. Some of the activities include boat cruises, mountain biking, quad biking, fishing safaris, guided nature walks, and birding safaris.
The areas surrounding the lake have fertile soils suitable for agriculture, with regions of dense forest. On the Uganda side of the lake are oil deposits that are undergoing exploration.
Lake Edward
This is the smallest lake in the Western Rift Valley, located in the western part of Uganda in the Kasese district. This lake is between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda has 29% of the water surface coverage, and 71% is in the DRC. It flows into Lake Albert through the river Semliki.
On the Uganda side, connecting Lake Edward is Lake George by the Kazinga Channel. This lake is part of two UNESCO heritage sites. That is Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the DRC.
Lake Edward is a wonderful habitat for different fish species and many aquatic animals. The banks of the lake are home to elephants, chimpanzees, crocodiles, and buffalo. One can see many migratory birds, like the lesser flamingo, on visits to the lake.
The most common activities enjoyed around the lake are boat cruises along the Kazinga Channel. Additionally, there is fishing and a guided nature walk in the vegetation close to the lake shores.
Lake George
This is another great rift valley lake in western Uganda. Lake George has a total surface area of 250 square kilometers. This lake is fed by different streams of water from the Rwenzori Mountain range. It also drains into the neighboring Lake Edward. Also, connecting it is the Kazinga channel. The lake is a abird-watcher’ss paradise, and the shores are suitable for nature walks and relaxation.
Boat trips and canoeing are the best ways to explore the lake, as you feel the freshness of the cool waters. You’ll see various wild and aquatic animals that are in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Other small lakes in the western arm of the East African rift valley system are Lake Rweru at the border of Rwanda and Burundi. More so, there is Lake Muhazi in Rwanda and Lake Kyoga in Uganda.
