Located in Kabale District of Uganda, Lake Bunyonyi is without doubt the deepest lake in Uganda and second deepest in Africa after Lake Tanganyika. Its deepest end is believed to measure approximately 900m. If you need to learn more about activities, accommodation, formation of the lake, number of islands, boat safaris, zip lining tours and more, you will get all the information you need by the end of the article.
Lake Bunyonyi is marked with up to 29 islands, with the most popular islands being the Akampene (the punishment island), Bushara, Buwama (Sharp island), Kyahugye, Njuyeera as well as Bucuranuka. The lake is home to Otters, crayfish and a place of so many little birds where it derives its name “Bunyonyi”. It lies in the outskirts of Kabale town, only 8km off Kisoro – Kabale highway close to the Katuna border of Rwanda.
Some of the popular Lake Bunyonyi safari lodges include Hawks Eye Lodge, Amasiko Homestay, Birdnest @ Bunyonyi Resort, Bunyonyi Overland Resort, Lake Bunyonyi Safari Resort, Arcadia Lodge, Byoona Amagara and Supreme Adventure Park among the rest.
Lake Bunyonyi is definitely an ideal destination for group retreats; whether backpackers, over landers, student trips, family get-a ways, company team building tours and more.
There are tens of amazing activities which can be undertaken by any group of travelers.
A 2/3-hour canoe ride with an experienced site guide will expose you to the 29 islands and reward you with unique history of each of the islands.
A dugout canoe trip can be either full day or half day depending on your interests and time; but an ideal excursion should be between 2-3 hours, and return to the lodge thereafter for a lunch organized overlooking the lake.
Come along with a fully charged camera and a pair of binoculars not to miss sights of small birds, islands, great scenery and the surrounding terraced hills.
Other essential items to carry along may include; sun block lotion, a day pack with bottle of water and packed lunch / soft snacks, insect repellents, or a bottle of champagne for a romantic lunch along one of the scenic islands.
Lake Bunyonyi is one of those few lakes in Uganda which are Bilharzia-free. Bilharzia is a common parasite found in southern and eastern regions of Africa).
This fact makes Lake Bunyonyi safe for swimming. The lake is as well free from dangerous reptiles and water mammals such as crocodiles and hippos.
However, inexperienced swimmers are warned to stay away from swimming in this lake because of its depth.
Breathetaking Scenery
Lake Bunyonyi is flanked with lush, green-terraced hills that stretch to a height of 2,200m -2,478m, though the 29 islands of various sizes and shapes dotted across the water that make the lake most stunning – you can admire it all day.
Lake Bunyonyi’s magical scenery reinvents itself every moment with any slight change in climate and direction of sun.
Early morning, the islands weave through cotton candy-like streams of fog while the afternoons are bathed in a warm radiations of the sun.
The islands are silhouetted later against a pale sky with the approach of chilly evenings. Some days the islands vanish completely from sight, hidden under a coat of clouds, but it takes another magical hour to watch them re-appear once more.
Various site guides conduct daily guided walks to the bamboo plantations in the interior of the lake.
There are trails which have been established and such walks are highly recommended for those searching for a healthy leg stretch in the Bunyonyi area.
When to visit Lake Bunyonyi
Though it is possible to visit Lake Bunyonyi all year round, it is equally important to understand the appropriate season to adventure on this magical lake.
Some activities and experiences like swimming are best experienced in dry months, usually from June – August especially for those who want to make dips.
Lake Bunyonyi experiences heavy rains between the months of March – May and shorter rains from September to December.
January, February, June, July and August are the hottest and the driest months of the year on Lake Bunyonyi.
The evenings around Lake Bunyonyi are chilly with cooler temperatures while days are hot but rains can be expected any time of day.
Joining a group to Lake Bunyonyi
There’s no place that is favorable for group tours like the Lake Bunyonyi; with its wide range of lodges and camps ideal for small and big groups.
Group travel to Lake Bunyonyi has the ability to enrich every member’s life. For a company group or family, this means spending time together to talk and enjoy each other’s company for a long time.
Group adventures also nurture interpersonal skills, inter-dependence, and self-confidence.
The bigger the tour group, the more curiosity and sense of adventure is enhanced, promoting fresh ideas as a result of cross interactions and new perspectives about life generally which are later carried on into one’s everyday life.
