Lake Bunyonyi is one of the most naturally beautiful crater lakes in Uganda for relaxation, Island hopping, swimming, canoeing and a host of other activities. Located in South western Uganda between the districts of Kisoro and Kabale, Lake Bunyonyi lies 1,962 kilometres above sea level and has 29 islands. Lake Bunyonyi is surrounded on all sides by steep hills. At 3,000 feet (900m) deep, Lake Bunyonyi is thought to be the second deepest in Africa.
Safari highlights
Our driver will pick you up from an agreed location in the morning and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi.
The journey takes approximately 7hours with stoppages. Southwestern Uganda has arguably the best scenery in Uganda. You will marvel at the beautiful countryside, vast swamps and the Mpanga forest. Prepare to catch sight of the local people tending their gardens and looking after their long-horned Ankole cattle. There will be a stop at the equator crossing in Kayabwe for photos, refreshments and an opportunity to buy local souvenir. The Equator crossing allows you to put one foot on the earth’s southern and another on the northern hemisphere. Lunch will be in Mbarara town before proceeding to Kabale and finally to Lake Bunyonyi.
Morning will stat with breakfast and later engage in more activities on island or off the island.The first thing to do is enjoy the beautiful sounds of birds in the morning . The lake has an amazing collection of birds including egrets, grey crowned cranes, hawks, herons, levillant cuckoo, Rufus breathed wryneck, weaver birds and the white tailed blue monad among many others.
Take a stroll along the lake shores to spot some of the birds as you wait for the Driver/Guide. You will emabrk on a visit to the Batwa and Abaheesi Community of blacksmiths. The Batwa of Lake Bunyonyi live mostly in the Orugano forest, Echuya Forest and surrounding areas. Spend time and interact with them as learn about how they make ends meet. You might also find visiting the Bukora Cave interesting.
You will the go to your hotel for lunch, in the afternoon you will have a feel of the canoe or boat ride experienece. You will visit the beautiful islands where you will get even better views of the lake, rolling hills and terraces. Most of the islands are named after the dominant bird species there. One particular island is known as the punishment island. The Bakiga tribe living in the area once had a cruel culture of abandoning all girls who got pregnant before marriage in this particular island. They were left there to die since most couldn’t swim. Most of the girls were eventually rescued by the men who had impregnated them or bachelors who couldn’t who couldn’t pay the bride price required by parents of virgins.
Later in the evening you will return to the lodge for dinner and rest. There will be a camp fire for the rest of the night.
After breakfast, you will be picked up by your driver and transfer back to Kampala