“Tucked away in the hilly southwestern corner of Uganda, Lake Bunyonyi is a stunning narrow stretch of water splashed with tiny islands and overlooked by volcanoes” by Edirisa.org
Lake Bunyonyi is believed to have been formed 8,000 years ago as a result of lava flow from local craters and it is said to be Africa’s 2nd deepest Lake and the water is free from bilharzia. Dotted with over 29 small islands and encircled by steep terraced hills, Bunyonyi is a magical spot. Numerous campsites & lodges cater for travelers & holiday makers on any budget.
Facts:
Dimensions: 25×7 Kilometres
Total area: 61 Kilometres
Number of Islands: 29
Temperature: 25 oC (77oF)
Depth: 44metres (144ft)/900metres (3,000ft)
Lake Bunyonyi literally means the “Place of many little birds”
Location: Kabale
Islands: Bwama, Bushara, Itambira, Akampene, Akabucuranuka
Main Attraction: Dotted Islands, magnificent terraces
Activities: Swimming, Bird watching, dugout canoe/motor boat trips, community visits, camping & campfires
Population: 29 Islands
Getting there:
Kabale lies 430 kilometres away from Kampala. From Kabale town to Lake Bunyonyi, it takes 30 minutes by car or 1.5 – 2hours by foot. Special hire or boda-boda to Bunyonyi is available at Kabale town.
Top attractions:
- Over 29 beautiful Islands to visit. Day trips in dugout canoes or motorboats can be arranged with local fishermen or campsite management.
- Meeting local Batwa (Pygmies) communities
- Over 250 bird species to watch
- Locally handmade crafts at negotiable prices
Where to stay:
Various up market & budget accommodation is available at Rutinda area and within the islands. These include; Lake Bunyonyi overland camp, Bushara island camp, Nature’s Prime Island, Arcadia cottages, Feza cottages. Visit the accommodation page for more info.
Note: *Lake Bunyonyi’s high altitude means that the area can get rather cold. Carry a sweater & a raincoat even when the morning promises a sunny day*