Believed to be the deepest in Africa; Lake Bunyonyi is located between the valleys of Kigezi in the south western parts of Uganda in Kabale and Kisoro districts. The lake is known for its 29 floating islands occupied by people that comfortably live in the middle of this waterbody. The major group of people living around this area are the Bakiga, a tribe well known for their strength. The Bakiga mainly feed on Sweet potatoes and a local brew called “Bushera” made out of sorghum as their staple food. Bunyonyi is the lover’s haven with an exceptional touch of atmosphere on a crocodile free waterbody between the high hills of Kigezi.
What to do at Lake Bunyonyi
Canoeing
You can choose to have a canoes ride as you visit the different islands on this lake as you interact with locals on these islands. The different activities on these Islands like gardening will excite you especially the locals as they dig with hand hoes.
Batwa Cultural experience
You will take a boat ride to the Batwa Island where you will be introduced to their beliefs and acts that are unique to them. The Batwa are former forest occupants of Bwindi before they were displaced to make it a National park. Their survival tactics, medicinal herbs and traditional performance will paint your memories with unforgettable experiences.
Birding
Bunyonyi is the birders haven and the experience begin with the morning sweet melody of the birds on your hotel windows before the sun is out. The experience of the morning fog covering your entire neighborhood begins with the sweet melodies of the singing birds as they fly over your hotel. Special birding guides will take you through a trip to watch some of the most interesting birds in the nearby Islands and forests around the lake.
Biking
Kigezi is generally a hilly area and the experience of riding up the steep hills is what no traveler should miss at any time. The bikes are hired from the hotel and you will be led by a special guide to take you through the safest trails as you watch birds and interacting with the local people. The feel of slopping down a steep hill to the lake is what you should never miss on your trip to lake Bunyonyi.
Gorilla tracking
It is not possible to talk about Bunyonyi and forget Gorilla tracking. Bwindi forest national park is a about 45 minutes to an hour’s away from Lake Bunyonyi. Tracking can be done in Bwindi as you reside by the lakeside at a lodge at Bunyonyi in Kabale. Our driver/safari guide will drive you early in the morning from a lodge at Bunyonyi and take you to Bwindi to watch the mountain Gorillas and return you to the lodge with much ease. The tracking happens in the morning and you return to cool off your evening with a shower in the fresh waters of this Crocodile free lake as you swim with friends or family or even alone.
Golden Monkey tracking
Golden monkeys are a unique type of Monkeys found in the Virunga ranges of Mgahinga for the case of Uganda. Mgahinga is also an hour or one and half an hour drive away from Lake Bunyonyi. It becomes so easy for a guest staying at lake Bunyonyi to go and track these Unique primates and return the same day. Just like the mountain Gorillas, the golden monkeys can be tracked in the morning and then drive back to the hotel at lake Bunyonyi early enough with you driver/guide.
Community visit
The community around Lake Bunyonyi is also an interesting one, the schools and other gatherings around are special to visit. You will participate in their traditional performances especially the “Kizino” dance as they stamp the grounds with their energies.
HOW TO GET TO LAKE BUNYONYI
This is one of the most strategic places Uganda has ever had; Bunyonyi is located in the Kabale District in the south western parts of Uganda. It can be accessed through the neighboring Rwanda by air through Kigali International airport just a few hours drive to Kabale district in Uganda. Visitors coming to do Gorilla tracking and would not want to have another long drive on the road to go and see the Gorillas can easily land in Rwanda and are picked by our professional drivers in our properly serviced safari cars.
You can also access Bunyonyi through Entebbe airport where you will be picked by our driver/guide to take you through kampala, masaka, Mbarara, ntungamo and then Kabale. This jurney takes you about 6 to 7 hours from Entebbe to your Hotel at Bunyonyi.
