Activities to do around Lake Bunyonyi; Lake Bunyonyi is the deepest lake in Uganda and second deepest lake in Africa after Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania. Lake Bunyonyi is one of the top visited destinations in Uganda located in southwestern region in Kabale district near Uganda’s border with Rwanda. Lake Bunyonyi derives its name from a local word Bunyonyi which means a place of many little birds and it was given this name because it’s a home to variety of bird species. Lake Bunyonyi is a home of 29 islands including Bwama Island, Akampene Island, Bushara Island, Njuyeera Island, Kyahugye Island, Bucuranuka Island among others. Lake Bunyonyi is a great place for relaxation, scenic views of the landscape and offers interesting activities that you can engage in during the safari including,
Activities to do around Lake Bunyonyi
Boat cruise/canoeing
Boat cruise is an adventurous and one of the major activities on Lake Bunyonyi where you will be able to explore the 29 islands, local villages, enjoy views of the terraced hills, farmlands, beautiful scenery, views of the sunset, bird species among others. During the boat cruise, you will be able to explore Bushara island, Bucuranuka island, Kyahugye island where you will be able to see animals like zebras, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, impalas among others, Bwama island where people with leprosy were takes so as not to infect other people in the community, Njuyeera island where Dr leopard sharps house was built, Akampene island also known as the punishment island where girls who got pregnant before marriage were taken and left to die of hunger.
Bird watching
Lake Bunyonyi is a home of over 200 recorded bird species and bird watching can either be done in the morning or in the evening on the boat with an experienced bird guide who will help you to spot different bird species including Levillant Cuckoo, Grey Crowned Crane, African Harrier Hawk, Slender-billed Baglafetch, White Tailed Blue Monard, Cardinal Woodpecker, Pied Kingfisher, Hadada Ibis, Great Cormorant, Speckled Mouse bird, Malachite Kingfisher, Pin Tailed Whyder, Black Heron, Black Headed Weaver, Black Crake, Fan Tailed Widow Bird, Common Stone Chat, Cinnamon Chested Bee-eater, Swamp Flycatcher, Streaky Seed Eater, Grey Shrike, Bronze Manikin among others.
Community tours
This is an exciting activity where you will be able to explore the communities around Lake Bunyonyi. During the community, you will be able to interact with the Batwa and Bakiga people in the neighboring villages, learn about their culture, tradition, way of living, visit their farmlands, local markets, health centers, schools, learn how to cook local dishes, learn how to dig, enjoy their traditional entertainments among others.
Nature walks/hiking
Nature walk is another interesting activity in Lake Bunyonyi where you will be able to walk through the villages and hike through the established trails with an experienced guide. During the guided nature walk, you will be able to enjoy great views of the lake, surrounding villages, terraced hills, visit Echuya and bamboo forest, view some primates, animals like zebras among others.
Swimming
Lake Bunyonyi is one of the lakes in Uganda that is free from bilharzia and dangerous water animals like crocodiles and hippos which makes it safe for swimming. Tourists are however advised to take note of the lakes depth hence inexperienced swimmers should take caution or use swimming pools at the lodges.
Lake Bunyonyi offers other activities like mountain biking where you will be able to ride around the lake with a bike, zip lining among others.
How to get to Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi is located in southwestern part of Uganda and can be accessed by road transport means where visitors will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to Lake Bunyonyi which takes about 7 to 8 hours’ drive in a 4WD Safari vehicle.
Lake Bunyonyi can also be accessed from Kigali Rwanda where you will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect to Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale via Katuna border which takes about 3 to 4 hours’ drive.
You can also access Lake Bunyonyi from Bwindi impenetrable national park, Queen Elizabeth national park or Kibale forest national park which takes about 5 hours’ drive.
Lake Bunyonyi can as well be accessed by public means of transport where you will board a bus from Kampala bus station to Kabale town and then hire a taxi or bodaboda to Lake Bunyonyi.
When to visit Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi can be visited anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February because during this time there is less rainfall therefore access roads and nature walk trails will be passable. During the dry season you will also be able to enjoy great views of the landscape, terraced farmlands among others.
Where to stay in Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi has a number of accommodation facilities ranging from luxury, midrange or budget where you can stay during your safari including Arcadia cottages Lake Bunyonyi, bird nest resort, Lake Bunyonyi eco lodge, Lake Bunyonyi overland resort, Byoona Amagara island retreat, Africa explorer eco village, Bunyonyi view resort, Bushara island camp, Crater bay cottages and camp, Paradise eco-hub, Lake Bunonyi rock resort, Bunyonyi safaris resort, Amasiko homestay, Bushara island camp, Kansiime backpackers, Natures prime island among others.
Lake Bunyonyi is one of the breathtaking destinations to chill and relax during your safari in Uganda and can be combined with other interesting activities like game drive, boat cruise, horseback riding, night game drive among other in Lak Mburo national park or gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park. For more information about the activities to do around Lake Bunyonyi, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris.
