Lake Bunyonyi is a beautiful lake found in southwestern Uganda in Kabale and Kanungu districts. It is the second deepest lake in Africa with a depth of 900 meters. The lake is approximately 25 km long and 7 km wide. It is surrounded by enormous highlands which are cultivated by the local people forming terraces which create such a beautiful pattern of greenery around the lake. Lake Bunyonyi is a wonderful place to relax and unwind after treks and adventures in the region, and enjoy the scenery and soothing cool weather. You can also dip in and take swim, as it is free of bilharzia and hippos and crocodiles do not inhabit it.
The name Bunyonyi means the “place of many little birds.” Lake Bunyonyi has 29 islands which host some wildlife including birds. Some of the bigger islands have been bought for tourism and hotels have been constructed to host tourists. But more interesting about the islands of Lake Bunyonyi are the local stories and myths associated with them. The Akampene Island, also known as the ‘Punishment Island’ is where pregnant unmarried women were brought and left as a punishment for bringing shame to a family, as it was considered an abomination for a girl to get pregnant before marriage. They starved and died there and those who tried to swim back, drowned. On some occasions however unmarried young men who could not afford pride price to marry one of the village girls would ride to the Akampene Island and get for themselves an abandoned girl. Other island on Lake Bunyonyi are: Bushara, Kyahunge, Bwama, and Njuyeera (Sharp’s island) among others.
The place is characterised by moderate temperatures and a cool weather that braces the areas in the mornings and evenings. This has made for the flourishment of green and lush terraced hills. For bird enthusiasts, the place is punctuated by a plethora of waterbirds with estimates indicating over 200 bird species. Several amphibians and fish species are also present on the lake. A dive into Nyombi swamp reveals more bird species, some of which are migratory. Fish species were originally not present in the lake but were introduced. Such species include examples like the Nile tilapia, red swamp cray fish and the cat fish among others.
Activities include: Canoe Excursions, Mountain Biking and bird watching etc. Apart from Birdwatching, Lake Bunyonyi is also ideal for swimming and other water activities. Such activities include sports like boat cruising and riding. The area is also underlined by hikes and nature walks. A sense of traditional culture is also felt during the community walks, since one can get stop overs at the Bakiga Cultural Museum as well as the blacksmith sites. For more cultural adventures, one can visit the village of Bufuka for the Bakiga and Batwa experiences.
Lake Bunyonyi is approximately 7 hours from Kampala and 3 hours from Kigali, Rwanda.