Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi is a fresh water lake located in southwestern Uganda in Kabale district close to the border of Uganda Rwanda. Lake Bunyonyi is also known as a place of small birds because it’s a habitant to many small birds, hence its name “Bunyonyi” is means (many little birds in local language). Lake Bunyonyi is a free water lake that bilharzia and Crocodile free meaning its Safe for swimming and carrying out a number of water sports.

The lake is situated at a height if 196m (643 ft) above sea level, 25 km (15.5 mi) long and 7 km ( 1.35 mi) wide. Lake Bunyonyi is debatably the second deepest lake in Africa, scientists have quoted a maximum depth of 40m (130 ft) making it the 3^rd deepest lake but the local people insist that the lake is deeper than that about 900m(3000 ft) making it the second deepest. the lake is surrounded by steep green and lush terraced hills punctuated with over 200 bird life, exotic rural landscapes and the Virunga Mountain in the background. Lake Bunyonyi is the highest and largest of the three small Nile basin lakes in the Kigezi highlands and others being Lake Mutanda and Lake Muhele

The lake is dotted with 29 islands stretched all over the lake, can be explored on a boat cruise including the historical punishment island( Akampene), Bwama and Nyuyeera (Sharp’s island), Bushara island among others. Lake Bunyonyi has only one outlet, the small stream that flows into the Ruvuma swamp which continues into the Ruhezaminda river and ends up in Lake Mutanda.

Just like its name the lake is home to countless small little birds both water birds and migratory birds namely Grey-crowned cranes, African harrier hawks, Herons, Egrets, Levillant Cuckoo, White-tailed monad, Pied Kingfisher, Slender-billed baglafetch, Cardinal woodpecker, African Kingfisher among others. Aquatic life in the lake include Nile Tilapias, Nile Perch, Mudfish, Crayfish, Mirrowcarp among others. Both local and international tourists come from all over the world to visit the lake and is mostly used as a stopover or relaxation before and after gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda.

Attractions in Lake Bunyonyi

Akampene Island

The island is one of the major tourist attractions on the lake. Akampene means punishment in local language hence the lake is also known as the punishment island. In the ancient days the island was used as a place to push girls who has got pregnant before marriage. Pregnant girls would be dumped on the island and left stranded with no boat, food and water. Girls by then where not taught how to swim so that when thrown there they can’t swim back. This activity was done to educate girls against sex before marriage. However, men that didn’t have dowry to pay the girl’s parents could go and rescue the girls they wanted and marry them for free. This activity was then abolished by the colonial masters because it was against human rights.

Kyahugye Island

Kyahugye Island is the closest island to shores among the 29 islands on the lake. It covers 784 acres and covered with reed intersperse of Eucalyptus and Papyrus, Pinus species. the trees form a beautiful tree cover on the island, which has a number of tourist activities like Nature walks, Birding safaris among others.

Activities in Lake Bunyonyi

Swimming

Lake Bunyonyi is a freshwater lake and has no dangerous animals like crocodiles, hippos and its Bilharzia free meaning its safe for swimming and carrying out other water activities which will help you relax at the lake.

Boat Cruise and Canoeing

This is one of the best activities to carry out while at the lake, boat cruise are the best way to explore the lake and give you an experience od calmness and quietness of Lake Bunyonyi with sweet melodies from the birds. Canoeing in the night is very rewarding while listening to sweet sounds of the frogs and cricket sounds giving you an exiting memory.

Bird watching

Lake Bunyonyi is also known as the place of many little birds, the lake is covered with over 200 bird species that can be spotted on the showers, the Nyombi swamp which is home to a number of bird, the swamp can be accessed on a boat cruise. Some of the bird species to spot include Cardinal woodpecker, Herons, Grey Crowned Crane, Harrier Hawk white tailed blue Monard, Levillant cuckoo among others.

Nature walks and cycling

The lake is very safe, tourist can have a nature walk on the shores and explore the near by villages by cycling. Nature walks will give you a panoramic view experience of lake Bunyonyi while enjoying the breeze of the lake and nearby community.

Cultural Tour

The lake is filled with a lot of cultural insights like the Bakora caves, the Punishment island among others.

Batwa People

This is your chance to get more information about the Batwa and Abaheesi people from them while enjoying their traditional customs. You get a chance to engage in a number of cultural performances like music, dance, drama and storytelling.

HOW TO GET TO THE LAKE BUNYONYI

The lake can be accessed with a drive from Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, to Kabale in western Uganda for about 8 hours of drive.

The lake can also be accessed from Kigali the capital city of Rwanda, for about 1.5 to 2 hours of driving.

ACCOMMODATION AT THE LAKE

Lake Bunyonyi has a number of accommodations ranging from budget, Mid-range and Luxury and some of which include Bushara Island Camp, Heritage Lodge Habuharo, Arcadia Cottages, Bunyonyi Safar Resort, Lake Bunyonyi Eco resort, Byoona Amagara Island retreat, Bird nest Lake Bunyonyi among others.