Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi is renowned as a place of many little birds, and to others it is called Switzerland, located in the southwestern Uganda region between Kisoro and Kabale, and it is close to the border with Rwanda. More so, it is the second deepest lake in Africa and the lake is surrounded by beautiful towns on its shores, namely Kyevu and Muko, while it has 29 islands, including Punishment Island and Bushara Island.
Geographically, Lake Bunyonyi is a body of water in the Kabale district and to the west of Kabale town, rising 7 kilometers. The lake is the largest and highest of three small lakes ‘’ others being Lake Mutanda and Lake Mulehe in the Kigezi highlands that are part of the Nile basin. Despite the fact, the lake was formed about 18,000 years ago by a volcanic eruption, creating a valley in the Ruchiga mountain near the village of Muko on the northwest tip of the lake. Currently, the lake’s outlet is a small stream also by Muko, which runs into the Ruvuma swamp ‘’ in turn it flows into the Ruhezaminda river that ends at Lake Mutanda. More facts, the lake is about 22kilomters long and 6 kilometers at its widest, and at a height of about 1973 meters. Mountains around raise heights of 600 meters above the lake. More so, the lake covers an area of about 61 square kilometers.
The lake’s altitude is 1,950 meters above sea level, and it is surrounded by hills that are 2,200 to 2,478 meters high, which are intensely cultivated. Amazingly, the lake is studded with over 29 islands, which are concentrated in the central part and have few settlements, but instead they are used for tourist facilities as well as for study tours.
There is a great story to narrate about Bakiga, who used to leave unmarried pregnant girls on this small island. They could leave them on the Island and die of hunger, and they didn’t know how to swim to the mainland; by that time, swimming skills were rare. By that time, a man who could not pay the bride price ‘’cow’’ could just go to the Island and pick up a girl. The practice got abandoned in the first half of the 20th century.
Explore Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda
Subsistence fishing is the main activity in the lake, mostly catching Clarias species – the lake’s depth and stratification make it hard for the breeding of the common Ugandan species, Nile Perch, and Tilapia. Despite the fact that 300,000 Nile Tilapias and Clarias fish were released in the lake at the end of 2002. The present fish species caught in the lake are the Mud fish, Cray fish, and Mirrowcarp and plenty of their predators and otters.
The lake is home to various water birds, few aquatic animals in this isolated highland lake. It is also home to aquatic vegetation, including species like papyrus, swamp grass, and blue lotus. More so, Lake Bunyonyi is a famous destination because of its green and lush terraced hills that are punctuated with a plethora of more than 200 bird’s species like Malachite kingfisher, Black heron, Pied kingfisher, Bronzy sun birds and Knobbed coot among others. The place combines the art of water birds and various migratory birds. This makes it an excellent experience for many bird enthusiasts.
To many travelers who visit or undertake a Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, after their Uganda or Rwanda Gorilla safari experience, they decide to take a drive at the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation as they enjoy the best scenery in the whole world. You can take part in various cultural and community activities, as well as birdwatching and canoe rides.
The lake’s main Centre is Bufuka village, which is inhabited by two tribes of tribes of the Bakiga and the Batwa.
Contact us for more information about Lake Bunyonyi as well as more affordable safari experiences in Uganda, and book your Safari now and experience one of Uganda’s most iconic adventures in one unforgettable trip.
