Lake Katwe salt mining : Lake Katwe salt mining it is down in Queen Elizabeth national park it was named after the volcanic mountain Katwe kikorongo.it is north eastern shores of lake Edward and south east of lake George and it was formed by a series of violent volcanic explosions that made the crater develop into salt, lake Katwe salt mining tour is an inspiring community encounter it is a potential point for leisure, research and adventure. The lake creates employment for thousands of people in the community, during the visit to lake Katwe guests are taken through the process of salt mining where you use your hands and basic minus using any machine. Because salt mining is hands on when you get to lake Katwe you will find women and men mining the salt which makes Katwe community most diverse community in Uganda. It can best be mined in January, February, march, July and September when the evaporation high and the salt is concentrated.
Katwe community
Katwe community has made it a bit easy to organise and arrange the visit in Katwe. The salt mining tours are done through Katwe tourism information centre which is the local community located next to lake Katwe in Katwe kabatoro town, the community is main made up of local youth and they are all always involved in salt mining because it is the main activity done their. This activity enables the community members meet their basic needs.
How to access lake Katwe
Lake Katwe is located in Queen Elizabeth national park and it can be accessed by road or Air
Air: A visitor can get a plan from Entebbe or kajjansi airfield to Mweya airstrip and it takes about 3 hours.
Road: By road it takes 6hours.
Best time to visit Katwe salt mining
Katwe salt mining is visited through out the year though the best time is during the dry season, it is when mining is best done.
Salt mining process at lake Katwe
In the dry season, the saline water of lake Katwe undergoes evaporation which leads to concentration of salt and formation of salt crystals. Women collect crusted salt while men scoop salt blocks. Though salt mining in lake Katwe is challenging because the water in the lake has a bad Odor affecting workers mentally, and as well as well the water burns so for women to protect their productive organs the wear pads while men put on condoms to prevent contact with the water.
Forms of salt mined from lake Katwe
There are 3 main forms of salt mined at the lake and they include
Edible salt. The production of this salt is through evaporation in mud lined ponds and it highly recommended for human consumption.
Crudec. This it is also for human but animals also can eat it.
Rock salt. This salt is for animals and it is called mahonde in the local language.
Another attraction around lake Katwe apart from the salt mining
The lake its self is a tourist destination, but besides that there are migrating birds that inhabit their and these are known as flamingos.
Other activities in Katwe apart from visiting the salt mining at the lake
Since Katwe is located in Queen Elizabeth national park so you can get an option of activities to do and these include;
Game drives. That will give you an opportunity to see variety of wildlife and one will be able to see the big four animals and these include elephants, lions, leopards, Buffaloes warthogs, hippos, bushbucks, antelopes and variety birds.
Boat cruise at kazinga channel. Boat cruise at kazinga channel will give the best view of some animals like elephants and buffaloes plus other things like the birds, and the birds that can be viewed include the white pelicans, cattle egrets, fish eagles to mention but a few.
Nature walks. These nature walks are always done from Mweya peninsula where you be able to see and the park very well and spot other wildlife like mongoose and more birds.
Lion trucking. Lion trucking takes place at kasenyi plains or isasha sector, lion trucking is always done by researchers although other people can do it because it is open for everyone. A visitor cannot go for lion trucking and fail to find a lion because they are always having trucking devices around their neck.
Craft making made by the local people the shoes, bags and other things.
Risks associated with mining salt
The salt miners spend the entire day in and around the mines, and under scorching sunshine which is a big challenge.
During the dry season the temperatures drop significantly during the sunny seasons.
The salty water in lake Katwe is highly toxic and poses a serious threat to the productive part of the body.
It causes impotence in women and men who work their because that salty water is dangerous.
