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Lake Bunyonyi

Visit Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda’s deepest lake

Lake Bunyonyi (“Place of many little birds”) is located in south-western Uganda between Kisoro and Kabale, and it is close to the border with Rwanda. Lake Bunyonyi has 29 islands, Punishment Island and Bushara Island inclusive with two towns on its shores which are: Kyevu and Muko.  It is also a residence to several little birds.
Lake Bunyonyi

The Top Things to do and see at and around Lake Bunyonyi

Swimming at Lake Bunyonyi:

Take a swim in one of Africa’s most beautiful lakes; there are also places along the lake where they have enclosed a section like a swimming pool where one can swim although one ought to be a good swimmer to swim in this lake since it is the second deepest in Africa. Meanwhile you have to enjoy swimming here since there are no crocodiles or hippos in these waters that can scare you off. Some lodges such as Bird nest Resort also have a choice swimming-pool or the lake for their guests.

Canoeing at Lake Bunyonyi.

Take a dugout canoe with guide and discover the world of Uganda’s magical Lake. Dugout Canoeing is quite popular and you can even take overnight trips on the Lake and stay on an Island. This can be an all-day event or just a few hours, you can choose to paddle or to be paddled across the lake as you can explore the quaint Villages, forest, nature walks are all possibilities while here not forgetting to explore the 29 Islands on Lake Bunyonyi. You can also choose a motorized cruise of the lake; there are the opportunities for sunset cruises and birding boat safaris.

Cultural tours lake Bunyonyi

Nature Walks and Hikes at Lake Bunyonyi.

The walks are not strenuous and can be taken at your pace, guides accompany you that you do not get lost and do not miss one of the highlights of your walks both on the Islands and around the lake which will lead you through small villages where you will meet Ugandans life style up close and personal, while others might be on an island that you came to with a dugout canoe.

Mountain Biking at Lake Bunyonyi

Bike rides will be the most enjoyable that can be done all day long or just a few hours, around the lake on a mountain bike and enjoy the scenery, the people, villages, hamlets, the people and get a feel for authentic Africa in Uganda. Ensure not to miss out on this activity.

 

Birding at Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi being a home to over 200 species of birds. The bird watchers can go birding on one of the 29 island on Lake Bunyonyi and combine it with a dugout canoe or motorized boat adventure. Boat safari with your own birding guide from the water, on some of the various islands the surrounding shores of the lake will give you an opportunity to increase on your count since it is the greatest home for birds.

 

Cultural Interactive Village Visits in Lake Bunyonyi

This Interactive cultural visits in villages will help you visit the home steads there, visit the school, local markets, gardens as you get to see what these people grow and harvest in their gardens. There is also chance for you to meet the Batwa Pygmy People who were the original people of the forest and today struggle in their quest of survival away from their beloved forest in the surrounding countryside.

 

Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi | Rich tiered hills that protrude from transparent water act as a natural stairway that takes you to some of Uganda’s best viewpoints. Lake Bunyonyi, which was formed over 10,000 years ago when lava choked a river, is full of history and bird singing.

Lake Bunyonyi

Introduction to lake Bunyonyi.

Though the exact depth of the sea is debatable, 40 meters is generally accepted as the limit (roughly 130 feet). All year long, it has a warm, tropical environment with the luxury of a refreshing breeze in the morning and the evening.

It’s the ideal location for some R&R after going gorilla trekking in adjacent Bwindi Impenetrable National Park because of the vistas.

Where is lake Bunyonyi located?

The lake is situated in southwest Uganda, 53 kilometers away from Kabale, and 53 kilometers away from Kisoro (48 km away).

You can take a matatu (minibus) from Kampala to Kabale in 6.5 hours to get to the lake. You may travel in 1.5 hours by renting a car or hailing a taxi from Kabale.

A 1.5-hour flight from Entebbe to Kihihi is another option. You can take a taxi or rent a car in Kihihi and drive to Lake Bunyonyi in about three hours.

It may sound overwhelming, but don’t let that stop you from going to the lake; we can handle everything.

Accommodation.

There are several different types of lodging options close to the lake, including hotels and camping. If you’re interested in camping, check out Bunyonyi Overland Resort, which provides the option to rent mobile tents, cottages, and equipped safari tents.

We suggest Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort if you’re looking for lodging that stands out, featuring a cultural experience of 10 cottages and stunning views.

Ecology.

One of the safest lakes in Africa is Lake Bunyonyi. There are no crocodiles, hippos, or bilharzia risks. Rather, the island is home to more than 200 different bird species. With a notepad and a pair of binoculars, you may spend hours learning about everything from weaver birds to grey-crowned cranes. The ideal location for bird aficionados.

You’ll be happy to know that the lake is home to African clawless otters and spotted-necked otters if you want to spend an afternoon on the water seeing marine species. There are also several kinds of fish, shrimp, and frogs.

You can find zebras and monkeys on the nearby islands. In addition to the abundant wild and marine species, the lake is teeming with papyrus, swamp sawgrass, and blue lotus.

Lake Bunyonyi Islands

Let us discover the Islands.

29 islands surround the lake, and each one is brimming with legends. However, Akampene, Bwama, and Njuyeera are the three most usually mentioned.

Akampene ( punishment).

This tiny island’s reputation is evil. In Uganda, being unmarried and pregnant was disgraceful until the early 20th century. Therefore, an unmarried pregnant woman would be canoed to Akampene by the family’s head, who was typically the father.

They would be abandoned there, where they would perish from starvation or from trying to swim home and drowning.

Other cultures would punish women by leaving them to be eaten by wild animals, chained to trees, or abandoned in the woods. Meanwhile, the men who caused unmarried women to become pregnant would go unpunished.

Some, though, were rescued by their lovers, who would row out and take them far from Lake Bunyonyi to begin a new life. They would also be saved by farmers and poor men who lacked the money to buy a bride.

Due to the relocation of missionaries to the nearby islands in the early part of the 20th century, this practice was discontinued.

Bwama.

Dr. Leonard Sharp, an English missionary, relocated to Uganda in 1921. He built a leprosy treatment facility on Bwama in 1931. Along with that, he constructed a hospital, patient housing, and a church.

To avoid spreading the disease to others, those with leprosy were encouraged to voluntarily withdraw from their communities in Bwama.

The only accessible treatment was a series of uncomfortable injections given over several months. Although the center was closed in the 1980s, two boarding schools now occupy the former hospital’s structures.

Njuyeera ( Sharps Island).

Dr. Leonard Sharp and his family relocated to Njuyeera in 1931. After Mrs. Sharp spent many years planting and caring for trees, bushes, fruits, and vegetables, the island, affectionately known as “White Cottage” (after the family house), gained notoriety for its beauty. Despite being a very busy woman, she was renowned for her gardening skills and upbeat demeanor.

On the island, guests were welcome, and Mrs. Sharp kept a log of all visitors in a book. On field trips, school groups would frequently visit the gardens, in addition to the tennis court, boathouse, and guest cottage.

Food and activities were used to keep the crowds amused. On occasion, Kabale residents would be invited to evening celebrations when guests would spend the night in tents.

Sadly, due to its transformation into a sizable hotel, Njuyeera has lost much of its historical significance.

What can I do at Lake Bunyonyi.

Activities Done At Lake Bunyonyi

There are lots of enjoyable activities to be involved in while you’re there, even though the lake is the ideal location to unwind and read a book.

Swimming is a fantastic opportunity to discover and interact with the local environment, and you might even see some local marine species.

Consider taking a boat trip or a dugout canoe excursion to explore the nearby islands if swimming isn’t your thing but you can’t resist the crystal-clear sea.

A lengthy nature walk will show you another side of this lovely location after your time on the lake. You don’t need to be an expert hiker because there are many simple trails available to you.

Try a communal walk around the nearby villages if you’re looking for a greater challenge and cultural experience. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience traditional culture.

Meeting families, farmers, and visiting community initiatives will introduce you to the local way of life.

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