Lake Bunyonyi is located in south-western Uganda between two districts of Kisoro and Kabale. It is 466 kilometres from Kampala city which is about 7 hours drive and the deepest lake in Uganda, second deepest lake in Africa after lake Tanganyika and the third deepest in the world with a depth which ranges from a minimum of 400 meters to a maximum of about 900 meters, about 25kms long and 7kms wide. Lake Bunyonyi is also often referred to as ’the place of very many little birds’ hence the name Bunyonyi which in the local language means very many small birds.

Things to do in Lake Bunyonyi

Swimming in the Lake

If you’re a good swimmer this is a must visit lake on your safari tour for as long as 900meters deep, the lake is a bilharzia free with has no crocodiles or hippos  making it very safe to swim here. We always make sure there is a canoe close by as a safety precaution. This lake is very rewarding and a true escape which also satisfies with the view.

Canoeing /Boating

There are also 29 Islands to adventure on Lake Bunyonyi, and with a dugout canoe, explore different charms of this unique lake from Forests to local villages to the nature walks. Lake Bunyonyi Uganda comprises of 29 islands that can be explored most popular is the Punishment Island because in the 1940’s getting pregnant before marriage was a taboo in this region therefore, girls that were dumped to this  Island for punishment and abandoned there for as long as possible while here, these girls would drown trying to swim die due to starvation or as a result of drowning as they were trying to swim to the main land due to starvation also, men who could not afford bride price then also came to this island to look for suiters in marriage. The history of this place draws most travellers to see what the place is like andwhat these unlucky girls were up against.

Bunyonyi Nature Walks & Hikes

You can also hike or take a nature walk through the islands and around the lake. And the most part will be the scenic lake Bunyonyi. These walks are not so active and can be taken at your pace, the guides always escort you that you don’t get lost or also miss out one of the main highlight of the walk. The hike will be so scenic in nature and some will lead you through the small villages where you will meet locals on an island that you came to with a dugout canoe. You must always keep your camera at handy to enjoy Lake Bunyonyi.

Mountain Biking

Mountain bikes are also something to enjoy while here, be sure to come across children waving and rooting for you, farms, local communities, views of endless rolling hills you can be sure spectacular views of Lake Bunyonyi this feeling is one that you can experience and Lough every time you think about this activity. This is done with a  guide and a vehicle may also come along in case you need to hope on. This can be arranged for all day or half day depending on what you like.

Bird watching

The word Bunyonyi means “place of little birds”.there is about 200 species of birds found both on main land and the islands. Some of the common birds here include; Fan tailed widow bird, Pied kingfisher, Black headed weaver, Malachite kingfisher, Pied wagtail, Cinnamon chested bee-eater, Bronzy sun bird, Knobed coot. Black clake, Grey shrike, Grey crowned crested crane, Hadada ibis, Common stone chat,  Swamp fly catcher, Black heron, Great cormorant, Streaky seed eater, Speckled mouse bird, Pin tailed whyder, Bronze manikin, other birds also are the herons, the slender billed baglafetch, the African Harrier Hawk, the egrets, the cardinal woodpecker, the white tailed blue monard,  and many more.

Community Tours

The Batwa pygmy is the most popular community in this region commonly visited by travellers because of their unique culture. These locals once co-existed with the mountain gorillas and other forest creatures in the Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park but were later evicted by the government and resettled outside the park. Transitioning from hunter gatherer life style to farming and raring animals was a hard thing to do thanks to the tourism activities that take place within their local community now they can depend on money they get from exhibiting there local culture and hand craft.

How to get to Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi is in the kigezi regions near Kabale town with in western Uganda. Along the road, it’s about 6 to 7 hours from Kampala about 418km, 8km of which is a murrum road from Kabale town.  

If you are using public transport, upon reaching Kabale, you take a taxi or a boda boda to Orutinda Market, it’s about 28km that is like 25 minutes. From the Orutindo, you can then hire a motor boat or a canoe to the destination of your own choice which can easily take you around all the water trips. We advise that you get yourself great driver and be comfortable with the choice of water transport you chose that is canoe or motor boat.

One can easily access lake Bunyonyi coming from Bwindi national park, Mgahinga national park or Rwanda through cyanika or katuna border as these are close to the lake Bunyonyi so do not be shy to visit if you are close by.