Tourist activities to do at Lake Bunyonyi
Tourist activities to do at lake Bunyonyi: Lake Bunyonyi is a very scenic lake situated in southwestern region of Uganda between Kabale and kisoro district close to the border of Uganda and Rwanda, this beautiful lake is known for hosting many birds that is why it is refered to as “a place of many birds” and many islands recorded to be 29 islands. Lake bunyonyi covers an area of 61 square kilometers with length of 25 kilometers and width of 7 kilometers, this lake lies at the altitude of 1,950 meters above the sea level and it is surrounded by numerous hills standing at latitude range of 2,200ft to 2,478 meters high.
According to statistics the depth of Lake Bunyonyi varies between 144 ft – 2,952 ft which makes it the second deepest lake in Africa, the lake experiences temperatures levels of approximately 25 degrees Celsius. Geographically Lake Bunyonyi is situated 7 kilometers west of Kabale town and the lake consists of 29 islands which include Akampene island (punishment island), Bwama and Njuyeera (sharp’s island), Bushara island, Kahugye island, Bucuranka island (Upside down island) and many more.
Lake Bunyonyi is a stunning lake with bilharzia free waters and it is surrounded by terraced hills which are inhabited by local communities of Bakiga and Batwa people in villages such as Bufuka Village, Lake Bunyonyi is has some of the best scenery in Uganda and the world, the lake offers many tourist activities which are very much entertaining and memorable. Tourist activities include
Bird watching
Lake Bunyonyi is also refered to a place of many birds, as validation to the reference the lake is a remarkable habitat for various species of birds recorded to be over 200 species thus being a great site for bird watching experience. Bird watching on Lake Bunyonyi is done using a boat ride which offers access to Nyombi swamp a home to many birds, in Nyombi swamp bird species such as white tailed blue monard, African harrier hawk, grey crowned cranes, herons, egrets, cardinal woodpecker, levillant cuckoo, slender-billed baglafetch, weavers, levillant cuckoo, African king fisher, egrets, cardinal woodpecker and many more are seen.
Swimming
Lake Bunyonyi has calm waters free from crocodiles and bilharzia which make the lake a great free spot for swimming experience, the lake is the deepest lake in Uganda and the second deepest on the Africa continent which makes the lake a perfect spot for experienced swimmers. For inexperienced swimmers you can swim on the shores of the lake, swimming in Lake Bunyonyi is a refreshing and relaxing activity after boat cruise safari experience.
Canoeing and boat rides
Lake Bunyonyi offers excellent canoeing/boat ride safaris, the lake is storm free which thus accommodating this experience which is the best way of touring the lake and enjoying the spectacular scenery. Boat ride offers an opportunity to visit some of the 29 islands dotted around in the lake, these islands have beautiful legendary stories which will be told to you by your safari guide and the notable islands in the lake include Akampene island (punishment island), Bwama and Njuyeera (sharp’s island), Bushara island, Kahugye island, Bucuranka island (Upside down island) and many more. On the boat ride you get to spot many animals and enough frogs dancing.
Community walks
Lake Bunyonyi is surrounded by settlements of Bakiga and Batwa people in villages such as Bufuka Village, community visits in Lake Bunyonyi offers an opportunity of encountering the African culture. in the communities of Bakiga and Batwa people you get to enjoy activities like local hunting, houses built using local materials, local lifestyles of people including they local way of clothing and get to interact with the elders of the communities.
Hiking and nature walks
Lake Bunyonyi is surrounded by spectacular green covered hills of Kigezi and stunning landscape, nature walks and hiking experience is done on the hills and in the ancient forests of Echuya, with a help of a safari guide you walk/trek on various trails and on your way your way you will spot wildlife species like zebras, otters, monkeys and many bird species.
Visiting cultural heritage sites
Visiting Lake Bunyonyi offers a chance for tourists to visit cultural heritage sites which are situated in the same area with the lake, these sites include Bakiga Cultural museum which has a same resemblance with the typical Bakiga homestead and Bakufuka village where tourists get to encounter the Bakiga and Batwa people. In the Bakufuka Village expect to get involved in local activities like weaving, visiting local medicine men in the shrine and get entertained by local songs and dances.
Where to stay at Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi consists of many lodges which offer accommodation to tourists visiting the lake for a safari experience, these lodges are categorized as luxury, midrange and budget cantering to tourists of all earning levels. These lodges include Birds@lake Bunyonyi resort, Arcadia cottages Bunyonyi, Bunyonyi safaris resort, Lake Bunyonyi Eco resort, Lake Bunyonyi overland resort, Bushara island camp and many more.
How to get to Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi is situated in the southwestern region of Uganda between Kabale and Kisoro districts, from Kampala the major tourism city and capital of Uganda it is a distance of approximately 418 kilometers which is a drive of about 6-7 hours, Lake Bunyonyi is very accessible from Mgahinga gorilla national park in Kisoro district and Bwindi impenetrable national park in Kabale. Lake Bunyonyi is easily accessed using road and air means of transport, by road there are many routes from Kampala to the lake and by air there is chartered flights which are offered from Entebbe international airport and Kajjansi airstrip to Kihihi airstrip then connect to the lake.
