It has a surface area of 250 square kilometres (97 sq mi) and is a part of the African Great Lakes system, although it is not considered one of the Great Lakes.

The area surrounding the lake is populated by the Batooro, Basongora, Banyampaka and Banyankore peoples, among others.

All these nations speak closely related dialects which are generally referred to as Runyakitara language.

Thinking it was part of Lake Albert, he renamed it Beatrice Gulf.

[2] Exploration plans were aborted because of the threat of conflict with the kingdom of Bunyoro.