Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi is found in southwestern Uganda between the Kisoro and Kabale districts with a depth of 40m (130 ft.), one of the deepest lakes in Africa, and it is believed that the lake heals bilharzia. Lake Bunyonyi is a native name meaning lake of small birds and is known for the green and lush terraced hills that are habitat to over 200 bird species that migrate from different places in the world.  By road, it is 410km from Kampala in about 6 hours.

ISLANDS ON THE LAKE BUNYONYI.

The lake has various islands, over 29, but the most well-known are

Akampene Island means punishment island, and this was used by the Bakiga, who used to leave unmarried pregnant girls on this island to die of hunger, as well as the men without cows to pay the bride price, who could go and pick up girls from the island.

Bwama and Njuyeera. Bwama, meaning Sharp’s Island, is named after Leonard Sharp, who formed a leprosy treatment center on Bwama Island and a medical facility on Njuyeera Island, meaning white cottage.

Kyahugye Island. This has a number of animals, like the zebras, impalas, waterbucks, and others.

Bushara Island.

Bucuranuka Island. This is an upside-down island.

BIRDS

Herons, egrets, African harrier hawks, grey crowned cranes, African kingfishers, Levillant cuckoos, slender-billed baglafetches, black-headed weavers, pin-tailed whydahs, streaky seed eaters, fan-tailed widow birds, great cormorants

ACTIVITIES AT LAKE BUNYONYI.

Cultural tours. Lake Bunyonyi has cultural sites like Bakora Cave, the Abaheesi, and Batwa.

Nature walks. Tourists walk around the community and the lake alongside viewing the birds, and this can also be done on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi islands, Echuya forest reserve, and visiting the local markets.

Boat riding. This is done on a canoe, the common means of transport that is used to explore the islands.

Mountain biking. There are several tracks surrounding the hills, giving a clear view of the islands, and this is done with a guide.

Birdwatching. The birds are viewed on the boat ride, shores like slender-billed baglafetch, weavers, egrets, and white-tailed blue moanard.

Fishing. There are various fish species like crayfish, mudfish, tilapia, Nile perch, and mirror carp, among others.

ACCOMMODATIONS AROUND THE LAKE

Arcadia Lodge. is a mid-range accommodation facility on the hillside comprising 25 self-contained cottages that are bisected into single rooms, twin double rooms, triple rooms, and family rooms and have a restaurant and a bar.

Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort. This is a luxury accommodation facility located along the shores of Lake Bunyonyi with a total of 12 rooms, of which 9 are luxury and self-contained and 3 are not self-contained. The rooms are divided into family cottages, double rooms, single rooms, and triple rooms and have a restaurant that serves kinds of food to the travelers with a bar that is well stocked.