Why You Should Visit Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda 2023: Luscious tiered hills protruding from translucent water form a natural stairway leading to some of Uganda’s greatest vistas. Lake Bunyonyi, formed over 10,000 years ago when a river was trapped by lava, is rich in history and bird song.
Lake Bunyonyi, popularly known as the “Place of Many Little Birds,” is located in southwestern Uganda between the districts of Kisoro and Kabale, near the Rwandan border. It is 1,962 meters above sea level and approximately 25 kilometers long and 7 kilometers broad.
The lake’s depth is predicted to range between 44 to 900 meters, making it the second deepest in Africa if genuine. It is one of the few lakes in the area that is said to be bilharzia-free and suitable for swimming.
Lake Bunyonyi is a body of water located seven kilometers west of Kabale Town in southern Uganda. It has a length of 25 kilometers and a width of 7 kilometers, covering an area of 61 square kilometers.
The lake is 1,950 meters above sea level and bordered by hills that are 2,200 to 2,478 meters high and well farmed. Its 29 islands are centered in the center and have few residents, although they are largely utilized for tourism facilities and secondary and elementary school study excursions.
The greatest depth of the lake fluctuates, ranging from 44m to 900m in certain places. If the latter is correct, Lake Bunyonyi is the second deepest lake in Africa, as experienced by Uganda wildlife safari visitors on their Uganda birding safaris or on their adventure vacation safari holiday tours in Uganda or Rwanda.
Lake Bunyonyi reaches a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. Later, fish were added to the lake, and fishing became profitable in the 1930s. Unfortunately, the fish died in large numbers in the 1960s as a result of a strong shallow mixing induced by wind, Why You Should Visit Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda 2023.
People largely caught clarias species in the lake since the water’s depth and stratification made spawning of the widespread Ugandan species Nile Perch and Tilapia difficult. Nonetheless, by the end of 2002, 300,000 Nile Tilapias and Clarias fish were put into the lake. Mud fish, crayfish, and Mirrowcarp may also be found in the lake, as well as many of their predators, otters.
Kyevu and Muko are two towns on its coastlines, and among its 29 islands are Punishment Island and Bushara Island. It is well-known for its surrounding terraced slopes and is a popular site for watersports. It is popular with both local and international travelers, and there is a large range of tourist accommodations.
Many tourists and travelers who go on a gorilla trekking safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or who come to Uganda after their Rwanda gorilla safari, rest and relax at the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi as they enjoy the best scenery in the world, participate in various cultural and community activities, and go on canoe rides.
Bufuka Village, which is home to two tribes, the Bakiga and the Batwa, is the primary attraction in Lake Bunyonyi.
Activities Offered at Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda.
Boat Rides and Canoeing
There are also 29 islands to visit in Lake Bunyonyi, as well as local communities. Forests and wildlife hikes are all options when staying here. You may explore the world’s Uganda’s Magical Lake in a dugout boat with a guide. This may either be a whole day or just a few hours, and you can choose to scull or be sculled across the lake; overnight alternatives are also available. You may also take a motorized tour on the lake, and there are opportunities for sunset cruises and birding boat expeditions. Dugout canoeing is popular, and you may even remain on the island after an overnight excursion on the lake.
Guided Nature Walks
Hiking and nature walks across the islands and surrounding the lake are additional options. The picturesque lake Bunyonyi will be the main attraction. These hikes are not strenuous and can be performed at your own leisure; the guides will always accompany you so that you do not get lost or miss out on one of the key highlights of the trip. The trek will be spectacular in nature, with some leading you through tiny towns where you will meet Ugandans up and personal, while others may take you to an island reached by dugout boat. To appreciate Lake Bunyonyi, you must always have your camera with you, Why You Should Visit Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda 2023
Bird Watching
Bunyonyi means “place of the small birds,” and it is also home to over 200 kinds of birds. A nice bird boat safari with your own birding guide from the water, on some of the numerous Islands that round the lake’s borders, is available. You may also go birdwatching on one of the lake’s 29 islands and combine it with a dugout canoe or motorized boat excursion.
Mountain Biking
You may also ride a mountain bike around the lake, taking in the landscape, people, villages, and hamlets, and getting a sense of Uganda’s true Africa. Because of the height, the weather and temperature are so pleasant, and the bike ride will be so pleasurable, and the tropical sun will not beat you down. The bike trips might last all day or only a few hours, and you will be accompanied by a guide or a safari vehicle that will be nearby to assist you if necessary, Why You Should Visit Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda 2023
Community Tour
These participatory cultural tours take place in communities, settlements on one of the islands, or in the enclosed countryside, and include the Batwa pygmy people, who were the original inhabitants of the forest and now battle for survival away from their beloved forest. We can also arrange for you to stay in a country home and visit a school and a local market. Learn how to make traditional dishes and care for the garden where the produce is produced and gathered.
Swimming
This lake is devoid of bilharzia and has no crocodiles or hippos. This implies that swimming is safe and enjoyable here. It is renowned to be a deep lake and the second deepest lake in Africa, which implies you should be a competent swimmer and definitely appreciate it while visiting here. Some lodges and hotels, such as Bird Nest Resort, provide visitors with access to a swimming pool or a lake. You may swim in one of the most beautiful lakes, and there are also other areas around the lake that have been encircled by a swimming pool where you can swim. You should also keep in mind that the lake is very deep, so if you swim, employ safety precautions such as a buddy system or a nearby boat.
