Lake Bunyonyi Holidays

A Natural Wonder in southwestern Uganda lays Lake Bunyonyi Believed to be the second deepest lake in Africa; Lake Bunyonyi is a body of water in Kabale district near the Rwandan border, and one of the country’s top natural treasures. And, at 1,962 m above sea level, the lake enjoys moderate temperatures year-round, cool in both the mornings and evenings. Most visitors make it an R&R stop after gorilla trekking in nearby Bwindi Impenetrable national park. The Scenery of Lake Bunyonyi is framed by lush, green-terraced hills that reach a height of 2,200-2,478 m, but it’s the 29 islands of various shapes and sizes scattered across the water that make it the most magical place to take your vacation.

Things to do on Lake Bunyonyi during your holiday

Boat cruise

You can take a 2-hour boat cruise to visit islands on Lake Bunyonyi including the famous punishment island where ladies who got pregnant before marriage are taken and killed. Apart from worshiping the scenic landscapes from a hilltop, there’s plenty to do here, so we recommend spending at least a night or two on its shores or one of the islands.

Swimming

Lake Bunyonyi is known as one of the few lakes in Uganda free of bilharzia (a common parasite found in southern Africa), making its waters safe for swimming.

Canoeing

The most common mode of transportation on these waters is the dugout canoe, which offers a completely different perspective of the lake.

Community Walks

Explore the settlements along the shores to experience everyday life among playful children, farmers, and women wrapped in multi-colored kitenges. One of the excursions sold to tourists is a visit to a Batwa tribe of pygmies. The Batwa in this region, one of the original inhabitants of the country, were dispossessed of their ancestral lands by the government to build the Echuya Forest Reserve with tragic consequences — today, their community suffers from rampant social problems.

Hiking and Nature Walks

Hire a local guide to lead you along the best hiking trails on the islands or through the terraces of the Kigezi highlands to be rewarded with spectacular views of the landscapes and even some wildlife. Forest and tree plantations can be found on some of the islands, as well as monkeys and zebras. Otters can also be spotted in the waters.

Bird watching

Meaning “the place of little birds”, Lake Bunyonyi takes its name from the abundant birdlife that calls it home. Over 200 species are found here, including herons, weaver birds, and grey-crowned cranes.

Best time for Lake Bunyonyi holidays

Lake Bunyonyi can be visited all year round but the best time is during the dry season from June to October and from December to February when there is less or no rainfall making trekking and boat activities favorable.

How to Get to Lake Bunyonyi

To reach Lake Bunyonyi independently, you first have to make your way to the town of Kabale, about an eight-hour drive from Kampala. From Kabale, the lake is 20-25 minutes. Given its proximity to Rwanda, you may want to consider accessing the lake from Kigali (or vice versa), which is only 1.5-2 hours by car. If you need to purchase your visa at the border, however, add another 30 minutes to one hour to your journey.

Where to stay in Lake Bunyonyi during your holiday

There many places to stay in Lake Bunyonyi but our top pick is the Birds nest resort which is a luxury resort just on the shores of the Lake giving clients great views of the lake and nearby Market.