Lake Bunyonyi Tour

Lake Bunyonyi Tour : Lake Bunyonyi is the perfect destination if you’re searching for a peaceful setting. Lake Bunyonyi, also known as “Place of Many Little Birds,” is a large body of fresh water in Uganda’s south-western region, close the Rwandan border. The lake is Africa’s second-deepest after Tanganyika, and it’s devoid of Bilharzia, according to reports. Adding a stop at Lake Bunyonyi to your Uganda safari itinerary is an option.

Lake Bunyonyi is surrounded by stunning terraced hills. The Bakiga tribe, who live in this area and cultivate the land for survival, have terraced these hills, creating picturesque views. Those who enjoy water, culture, magnificent countryside landscape, or simply resting should pay a visit to Lake Bunyonyi, which is popular with both locals and visitors from across the world.

Lake Bunyonyi features a total of 29 islands, some of which are deserted and others which are home to both people and tourists. Akampene (Punishment Island), Sharps Island, and Bucuranuka are only a few of the islands with a colorful past (Upside down). Listed below is a short history of a few of the Islands.

Places to Visit during your Lake Bunyonyi Tour.

Visit the Punishment (Akampene) Island

Once upon a time, fathers/brothers abandoned pregnant unmarried girls on this island with a lone tree in order to warn other men and women not to become pregnant out of wedlock. Families thought it was disgraceful for pregnant teenage females to be living on their own. Without the ability to swim, the girls were abandoned and starved to death. When local young men couldn’t afford the bride price, they would quickly pick them up and carry them home as their wives. Thankfully, this practice was discontinued, and some of the few surviving women who were selected from the island still reside in the nearby hamlet of Lake Bunyonyi.

Explore Bwama and Njuyeera (Sharp’s Island)

In 1921, an English missionary named Dr. Leonard Sharp travelled to this region of Uganda. He built a leprosy treatment clinic on Bwama Island, which was then deserted, in 1931. The hospital and patient quarters were built thanks to his generosity. This leprosy clinic was designed with the goal of attracting leprosy patients from the surrounding villages, therefore limiting the spread of infection. Njuyeera Island had become home to Dr. Sharp.

The hospital’s facilities are now home to a secondary boarding school and a primary school, although there is no community in the area.

Lake Bunyonyi Tour
Lake Bunyonyi Tour

 

Bucuranuka Island

According to a well-known local legend, several people were slain after a group producing local sorghum beer refused to give an old woman any of the brewed drink she wanted. The mob was enraged and pursued her, thinking she was a well-known beggar. As a result of their offense, she requested that they provide her with assistance in navigating the channel to the main land.

She had a young kid assigned to row the canoe to the mainland for her. When they arrived to the mainland, the woman exited and the child was startled to see the Island flip, killing everyone save a Chicken, which flew away and survived.

Bushara Island and Kyahugye Island have mostly been developed as tourist destinations. They have a hotel, a restaurant, and a bar on site. Nature hikes, bird viewing, fishing, and canoeing are just a few of the island’s many pastimes.

Activities done at Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda.

While in Lake Bunyonyi, you may go hiking up the hill, canoeing, swimming, bird watching, visiting a school, visiting a local residence, and interacting with the people.

Where to stay during your visit to Lake Bunyonyi.

If you are planning to stay at Lake Bunyonyi, do consider booking your accommodation in the following places; Lake Overland Resort, Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort, Bunyonyi Safaris Resort and Bunyonyi Eco Resort to mention but a few.

How to get to Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda.

Kabale, the nearest town to the lake, is roughly a seven-kilometre drive away. Both Kampala and Kigali have direct flights to Kabale, making it a quick trip. Every day, a large number of buses travel between the two cities, making a pit break at Kabale along the way. The ride from Kampala to Kabale takes approximately 8 hours, while a road trip from Kigali takes around 2 hours. The road is decent the whole way.

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