Lake Victoria, also called Victoria Nyanza or in former times Lake Ukerewe, is located in East Africa. Its neighbouring countries are Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.

With a surface of 68,870 km², it is the third largest lake worldwide and the second largest fresh water lake. Approximately 30 million people live on its shores. Lake Victoria is situated on the East Africa plateau. The largest part of it is located in Tanzania, the second largest in Uganda.

In the west, Lake Victoria is fed by the Kagera Nile. Its discharge is in the north, where the Victoria Nile originates.

Ukerewe is the largest island in the lake. It has a surface of 560 km² and lies close to the south shore.

The water level of Lake Victoria is, at its maximum height at Owen dam, 1,134 m above sea level.