The picturesque lava-formed lake of Bunyonyi winds up between the terraced highlands of Kigezi for 25km long covering an area of 60km2. This second deepest lake on the continent is nestled high at altitudes of 2000m and was formed 8000 years ago when lava flowing from Virunga Mountain Ranges blocked the Ndego river. It’s varying depths range from 40m-100m. Bunyonyi in local Bakiiga dialect that translates as “little birds” due to the rich bird life that occur on its papyrus fringed lakesides.
L. Bunyonyi is located only 8 km from Kabale town, a popular gate-away destination for adventurers and holiday-seekers that seek to rest over after or onto their mountain gorilla trekking experiences or hiking of Mgahinga Gorilla NP volcanoes. It’s serviced by a wide range of accommodations suitable for all budgets and comfort.
Travelers often use L. Bunyonyi as the base to track gorillas from Ruhija and Rushanga both trail heads of the UNESCO heritage site of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or choose to relax here after their gorilla tracking experience.
Activities at Lake Bunyonyi
With time to spare, Lake Bunyonyi provides numerous adventure opportunities to explore far and across it’s beautiful and charming picturesque settings.
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Canoeing, Abseiling and Swimming
While here at Bunyonyi, take an adventure experience to tour several historical islands using a local dug-out canoe the same the locals use everyday to access their gardens, markets, schools across the mainland or islands. On this experience you will paddle along a local guide showing you traditional paddling techniques on these quite lake waters and also pointing historical islands and birdlife on the lake edges. Better still you can opt to paddle alone without the local guide depending of course on one’s experience and ability to navigate the quite waters of L. Bunyonyi. Canoeing experience lasts anywhere between 2-3hrs.
The waters of L. Bunyonyi are Bilharzia free and safe for swimming but caution must be observed as Lake Bunyonyi is the second deepest lake on the continent with estimated depths beyond 400m.
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Explore the Historical Islands
Take a ride in a local dug-out canoe to explore several islands and learn about the rich history attached to these sacred islands. Of interest is the tiny Punishment island where in past pregnant unmarried girls were left abandoned as this was a taboo in this complex culture. Visit the leprosy island where in the early 19th century was used as quarantine and treatment center for leprosy. Leprosy gone and forgotten, the large island now houses a church, school and hospital.
The twice-in-week market (Mondays and Friday) at the lake shore is a great place to take a stroll for its color, various merchandise and people.
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Hiking around Lake Bunyonyi
A mini-hike around the island dotted Lake Bunyonyi offers the most stunning landscape views anywhere in Uganda. The terraced highlands that hem in Lake Bunyonyi, rise over 2500m of altitude providing excellent hiking and walking opportunities lasting anywhere between 2 to 6 hrs depending on one’s time. Led by local community guides, the trek follow trails used daily by locals as they go about their daily lifestyles. This provides first-hand interaction to learn about the livelihood of the humble lakeside communities. Onwards into the community, you can opt to visit the local women groups as they engage into small social income generating initiatives like crafts and weaving. On a hike, visit the active local herbalist home and learn the richness and effectiveness of African medicine whose knowledge has been passed on from generation to generations treating majorly every disease. The medicine man is highly respected and revered in African culture as he not only treats diseases but also has ability to predict the future community he serves.
The hike continues on to several peaks of these towering highlands that rise up to 2500m asl for excellent panoramic views of L. Bunyonyi with its numerous islands.
Level of Difficulty
The terraced hillsides around L. Bunyonyi rise up to 2500m asl and one needs average fitness to do it. Various hikes follow everyday-used community trails and pose no serious difficulty to many unless one has altitude related complications as these hills rise between 2000m and 2500m asl otherwise the views are rewarding.
What to carry and Dress Code on a trek
- Good hiking/walking shoes
- Long pants as the trail passes through the community.
- Carry a rain jacket
- A hat and sunglasses
- Drinking water on that day.
- Good attitude