About Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi is one of Uganda’s iconic landmarks and most beautiful lakes. It is little wonder it features on the “two thousand Uganda shilling bill.”
Located in the South-Western part of Uganda, 7 km west of Kabale Town lies the most beautiful Lake in the country. Dotted with 29 islands, Lake Bunyonyi is about 25 kilometers long, 7 kilometers wide, and 35,000 feet deep putting it top of the list as the deepest Lake in East Africa.
It’s wreathed by steep Kigezi terraced hills, and lush green foliage and is located in the remote beautiful set with a quiet atmosphere to chill out, nest, and enjoy the perfect South-Western climate.
It Is believed to have been formed 10,000 years ago when the River Ndego was blocked by lava flowing from the volcanic Virunga Mountains covering up the valley around this area. It resulted in a stagnated water body. Over the years, It developed into a beautiful island clustered Lake with fresh waters and fish.
There’s quite a lot to do while in the calm west, the top on the list being soothing and chilling the entire time you’re there. The view is calming and the activities daring, rest assured to leave this place rested and with a different view of the world.
Activities around Lake Bunyonyi.
Canoeing/ boat riding.
It Is one of the most fascinating activities to do at Lake Bunyonyi. Imagine sailing on the calm waters of Africa’s second-deepest lake, it’s such a memorable experience. Travelers boat ride to any of the 29 islets on Lake Bunyonyi awarding them with a memorable experience. Each island has a different fascinating story about its conformation hence worth visiting. Ensure to visit the punishment island where pregnant unmarried Bakiga girls would be taken and left to die in isolation. Tourists can choose to paddle themselves or otherwise hire someone to paddle them.
Canoeing can be a full day of a few hours depending on the choice of a guest. Plies are the commonest mode of transport on Lake Bunyonyi. The locals are constantly making journeys across the lake from island to island and on different sides of the hills to do their private business.
To have a better sense of what it feels like to live the way they do, a canoe ride is a perfect option, giving you excess time on the lake, and a chance to stop right in the middle for a little serenity and panoramic view. You can choose to be paddled or even do the paddling yourself as long as you have a guide with you. This service is available any time of the day including evenings for lovers that want to watch the sunset as they glide with the lake. The lake isn’t infested with any dangerous water creatures like hippos and crocodiles making this evening and possibly romantic experience memorable.
Community visits Hikes
Basking at the numerous resorts is relaxing enough, but to experience the Switzerland of Africa, a hike in the surrounding hills is thrilling and refreshing. Tracks along the terraces, banana plantations, and lush green vegetation offer a clear view of the 29 islands. It gives quite a great picture-perfect spot from all angles.
For a more fortified experience, a walk around the communities opens your eyes to the traditional way of living, cultural beliefs, history, and fabulous stories that have been told from generation to generation. The local people are so welcoming.
Bird watching
It’s also called the ‘Place of numerous little birds’ for a genuinely good reason. It’s a home for over 200 bird species like the grey-crowned cranes, red-chested sunbirds, flycatchers, white-tailed blue Monard, slender-billed ball fetch, weavers, egrets, herons, woodpeckers among others all over the banks of the lakes. However, Bunyonyi is the perfect place to experience this, If you’re a bird lover but also in dire need of a quiet getaway.
Swimming
The Lake is filled with fresh water and is Bilharzia-free. There’s no shore but safe structures have been put in place to allow easy deep dives into the open waters. A change from the swimming pools is just what you need on vacation and Lake Bunyonyi is open for this all time of the day. Take time to chill on the banks of the lake, sunbathe, and deep dive any time of the day.
Local market Experience
The African Market experience is something you should. Markets around Lake Bunyonyi possess about anything you can think of ranging from African crafts, vegetables, shoes, clothes, and electronics. The people move around swiftly as they deal for cheaper prices, others stand around and catch up with each other, and others ride in with more merchandise to vend. A local market is a place where people come to connect and catch up with others.
Visiting Batwa pygmies
This is an interesting activity where you’ll be able to interact with the Bakiga and Batwa/ pygmies who live in the surrounding communities. During the cultural tour, you’ll be able to learn about the local people’s culture, and way of living, visit their homesteads, schools, local markets, and farmlands, learn how to cook their traditional meals, listen to their ancient stories, enjoy their traditional songs and drama among others.
The Batwa pygmies are a very small group of people found on the border of Kabale and Kisoro in the ‘Echuya Forest Reserve’ who are believed to have been originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. It’s a lineage of hunters who used to live in the DRC rain forests until they migrated to Western Uganda after being removed from their land as a result of industrialization.
Almost 4000 Batwa live in this area. The Batwa possess a charming history containing their own creation story and a unique relationship with the forest but have been marginalized for quite some time now. They live in small grass and stick houses and generally keep to themselves. The Batwa experience was set up by the Kellerman Foundation and being a part of this largely benefits this endangered group of people.
Mountain biking
Adventure Lake Bunyonyi on a mountain bike. now you ride through local communities, farmsteads, and centers around Lake Bunyonyi. Mountain Biking is one of the most done tourist activities in Lake Bunyonyi. The experience offers you a close interaction with local people, kids waving at you on the roadside, and a factual feeling of Africa. The lift also offers you spectacular views of beautiful Lake Bunyonyi, local farms, and the endless hills of Kigezi. Mountain biking can be done full day or partial day depending on the tourist’s choice. Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort has bikes for hire at affordable rates. Also, mountain biking is done along with a local guide who tells you further about local life around Lake Bunyonyi hence a memorable experience.
There are several roads/ tracks around the Lake and uphill on the surrounding hills. The entire ride provides a clearer and clearer view of the magical islands and allows you to get up close and personal with lots of the local people. Some of the lodging arrears give bikes for hire. This can be arranged by your tour guide – to make sure everything is well prepared in advance.
Zip lining
The recent addition is Zip lining. Sturdy ropes are connected between trees on the opposite banks of the Lake. You get to swing over the calm waters of the lake and even make half-somersaults to touch the waters and feel the breeze on your face.
It Is a fun, exhilarating experience to loiter over the lake and splash the water as you drift from one end to another. Safety equipment is provided for this activity on-site. The equipment used is well-tested to guarantee the safety of everyone on the zip lines.
Discover the islands
Explore the islands of Lake Bunyonyi during your stay at Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort. A cruise to different islands that make up this beautiful lake is a lifetime experience that you’ll live to remember. The lake is comprised of 29 islands each of which has a different story and features. You’ll meet and interact with local people who live on some of these islands. Also, a nature walk on the island gives you a fresh feeling of being in the middle of Africa’s second-deepest Lake.
The islands of Lake Bunyonyi are 29 islands each one more fascinating than the other. With your preferred mode of transport, you get a chance to visit every island on the lake and explore it. The most usually visited are;
• Akampene (Punishment Island) is Regarded as the smallest island on the lake and yet one that’s most memorable. Akampene Island holds a morbid history of a tradition that was upheld for quite a long time by the local people. Young girls who got pregnant before marriage were taken to this island and tied to the one tree that sits on the islands to atone for their transgressions. As times changed, this tradition was ignored and regarded as an outdated ancient tradition.
• Kyahugye Island Considered one of the most exciting islands, here there are several animals you can see. The Island is home to Zebras, Waterbucks, Impalas, and a lot more. For a mini version of a game drive, with a view of the sparkling sun-kissed waters at a distance and fresh breaths, an hour’s ride will be a perfect addition. These animals were introduced to the area.
• Bushara Island for a closer look at the birds around this area, you have to check out Bushara Island. Carry your binoculars and long-lens cameras to be suitable to get the best of the experience.
• Bwama Island This is the largest of the islands and happens to be inhabited by people. Dr Leonard Sharp was a Scottish missionary that came to Uganda in the 1920s and in 1931 started up a sanctuary for people suffering from Leprosy. He set up a Leprosy treatment Centre where people would come to be treated without feeling mistreated or neglected. This is strongly rooted in the island’s history. presently, these medical center structures are being used as schools for the Island inhibitors.
• Bacuranuka Island The legendary story about this island is quite a tale. Long ago, 20 men were making a local beverage(Obushera) when an old woman came upon them and requested a sip of the drink. The men refused to offer her a sip of the drink in an ungentlemanly manner. The old lady requested them to offer her a ride to the mainland which they accepted gladly for they wanted her out of the way. One of the men was sent with her to the mainland, out of frustration, the old lady cursed the island which turned upside down and swallowed the men brewing ‘Obushera’ on the island.
With 29 small islands, you can be sure that each island has a special tale that ties to the local history and cultural beliefs.
HOW TO GET THERE.
Lake Bunyonyi is about 439 kilometers southwest of Kampala and 199 kilometers west of Mbarara by road. The best route entails following Kampala- Masaka- Mbarara- Kabale road.
It takes 7- 8 hours of driving by motor vehicle to reach Kabale City from Kampala. It takes between 20 to 30 minutes at most to reach the lake from Kabale town.
Those coming from safaris in either Queen Elizabeth or Kibale National Park will need to travel for approximately 5 hours on the road before reaching the lake.
Lake Bunyonyi is closer to Kigali in Rwanda than Kampala. It takes 3 hours of driving by car to reach the lake.