Dolwe Island Tour / Lake Victoria
Enclosed in a freshwater lake is an Island scattered with incredible rocks designed by unknown unique paintings and caves that will blow your mind with a sense of discovery and appreciation of God’s work of Creation.
The huge stony Rocks sitting on smaller stones without falling off or breaking making a rocky shelter create an adrenaline discovery of nature and wonder, immersing you into a real-life adventure movie.
Dolwe Island is one of Uganda’s secret destinations, a picturesque Island covering an area of 25sq.Km. The Island is dotted by several granite rocks and boulders that rise like castles across the Landscape.
The Island has 13 ancient painted rock shelters, the mystery paintings are a unique pre-historic pictograph that dates back to 3000 years and are among the oldest and most extensive records of human imagination on earth.
The Island is naturally beautiful made with artistic mastery of fascinating rocks. The magnificent rocky Island is located in the Northeastern part of Lake Victoria, a large freshwater lake in Namayingo District, Uganda.
The Island can be accessed by taking a 3–4-hour boat cruise from the Bwondha landing site in the Mayuge district via the Lake Victoria waters to the Island.
The Jewel of Lake Victoria can be accessed by taking a 3–4-hour boat cruise from the Bwondha landing site in the Mayuge district via the Lake Victoria waters to the Island.
Suggested Safari Itineraries
As you walk around the rocks, you will see permanent rock paintings that can’t be rubbed no matter how much it rains, the ancient islanders painted rocks with maroon colors that have lived to date, and you wonder What Kind of Paint was used to write on the rocks that have stayed for over 3000 years. The local people use the rock shelters as places of worship for their gods and the island has got 7 shrines.
Besides paintings, the ancestral inhabitants of the island had exceptional techniques of drilling holes to model anything they wanted.
The paintings on rocks in Dolwe Island portray shapes that beings unknown to the current inhabitants of the land who comprise mostly the Jaluo from Kenya and Ugandans from different tribes.
The Jaluo form a bigger majority and they named the villages according to the shapes of the rocks and other features on the Island. Among inhabitants of the island are Baganda, Iteso, Langi, Basoga, Acholi, and Banyankore who have built homes and set up businesses in a quest to develop the area.
Things to do at Dolwe Island
Boat cruising
Enjoy a scenic ride on Lake Victoria as you explore the rocky Island. Lake Victoria has got tranquil and calm waters that favor boat cruising and canoeing. The boat cruise on Lake Victoria is one of the charming activities tourists must encounter while on their visit to Dolwe Island.
Suggested Safari Itineraries
Nature walks.
The walks around the Island will give you a closer encounter with the splendid rocks and paintings, take shelter under the rocks and caves.
Community Visits.
The Island is inhabited by different groups of people; a visit to the community will immerse you in the vibrant cultures of the local people.
Other activities to do on Dolwe Island include fishing, birding, and swimming among others.
How to get to Dolwe Island?
Dolwe Island rock art can be accessed by water transport. The Island is located on Lake Victoria, 50km from the mainland and thus you need to take a 3-hour boat cruise from Entebbe or Jinja to the Island.
In Conclusion
Explore and enjoy the vistas of the untouched natural beauty of Uganda. Dolwe Island is one of the must-visit islands on Lake Victoria that will offer you spectacular views of the wonders of the area, which gives an exceptional experience.
Customize this tour using our local expertise. We will recommend the best lodges to suit your travel style and book your permits for your travel dates.
We take care of all the ground logistics so you can relax and enjoy a perfect getaway!
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