Which lake is the source of the White Nile?

Lake Victoria is the lake traditionally identified as the source of the White Nile. Its northern outlet near Jinja, Uganda, releases the river’s downstream flow as the Victoria Nile.

The terminology can be confusing. Strictly, the White Nile name is often applied farther downstream, while the river leaving Lake Victoria is called the Victoria Nile. Lake Victoria is nevertheless the principal lake source of the White Nile system and the standard answer in geography quizzes.

Lake Victoria is shared by Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. It is Africa’s largest lake by surface area, and about 80% of its inflow comes directly from rainfall. The Kagera River is its largest tributary and carries water from the wider Nile headwater region.

A common mix-up is Lake Tana, which is associated with the Blue Nile, not the White Nile. The Blue and White Niles meet at Khartoum, Sudan, before continuing north as the Nile toward Egypt.