Why Visit Lake Bunyonyi For A Safari

Why Visit Lake Bunyonyi For A Safari

Lake Bunyonyi lies in the fur southern part of Uganda with 29 dotted Islands covering the steep valley dammed by Lava close to volcanoes. Lake Bunyonyi is not only the deepest lake in Uganda of about 35000 feet deep but very much unforgettably scenic. Locally the word Bunyonyi means small birds and indeed this is apt for the surrounding in this lake.

The stunning views of Lake Bunyonyi make it a perfect recuperate choice after an exertion of a gorilla safari. Lake Bunyonyi is 25 kilometers long bordered by stunning Kigezi terraced evergreen hills. While on a visit to Lake Bunyonyi, you enjoy the soothing ambience of the surrounding and get immersed into the cool weather of southwestern Uganda.

One of the outstanding islands of Lake Bunyonyi is the Akampene Island where girls who got pregnant out of wed locks were abandoned to die or drown while trying to swim. This brutal act happened to scare other girls not to attempt act that would lead them to get pregnant before marriage.

 Lake Bunyonyi was formed resulting from lava flowing from one of the Virunga mountains blocking River Ndego then stagnating forming Lake Bunyonyi. Overtime, a number of beautiful Islands have formed creating stunning views.

If you are seeking tranquility and serenity, Lake Bunyonyi is one of the best destinations to go to. You can also kick start your life with a visit Lake Bunyonyi. You can engage in a number of activities while on a safari to Lake Bunyonyi.

Birding in lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi has a number of birds especially small birds that linger in its environs . Keen birders have chances to spot a wide range of birds that love spending time on its freebies. More than 200 birds are living around Lake Bunyonyi which you can identify as you take a walk along the shores.

You may spot birds like herons, white-tailed blue Monard, wood peckers, red-chested sunbird the list as endless.

Boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi

Exploring Lake Bunyonyi by boat creates unforgettable moments of your visit. Lake Bunyonyi is composed of 29 Island some of which you can visit and learn more about the beauties and history that makes up each.

The Akampene Island where pregnant girls were abandoned whispers the tales of those innocent souls.  A Visit to Bwama Island one of the islands in Lake Bunyonyi gives you a picture of what happened during the leprosy pandemic in the past.

 A missionary Dr Leonard sharp used this Island as a treatment point for leprosy in the past but since then the Island is now occupies by locals. More of these Islands Lake Bunyonyi include Bacuranuka Island with its mythical folk tales, Bushara Island, Kahungye Island to mention but a few.

From the lake, you can view the amazing surroundings covered by evergreen swampy and forested environment where even primates spend time.

During the boat ride, you may get to participate in pedaling too. For a more beautiful experience, you may watch the sun casting its rays over Lake Bunyonyi in the evening which is a perfect moment for great photography on your visit.

Zip lining over Lake Bunyonyi

Stimulate some adrenaline with the zip-lining experience across the 7 meters wide Lake Bunyonyi. This is a fun to do activity. As you hold tight onto the sturdy ropes, along the way, you may try somersaulting to touch the calm water before getting to the finishing line. Ensure you buckle the pegs that clip you to the road securely and follow the instructions given by the zip-lining instructor.

 This is breathtaking experience as you get to feel the cool breeze of Lake Bunyonyi while suspended by a rope.

Community Walk around Lake Bunyonyi

Why not learn more about the life of the locals with a visit to the community. This is guided by a local guide who helps you learn about the daily activities like the farming of the locals, may visit a local brewery, a homestead and take part in community activities if any.

 During the community walk, you may get to listen to the interesting folk tales of the locals like about the Bacuranuka island in Lake Bunyonyi which is believed to have swallowed men that refused to offer a sip of local millet porridge to an old woman who requested for some.

Batwa Pygmies visit while on Lake Bunyonyi Safari

The Batwa were some of the victims of eviction when mountain gorilla conservation was happening in the early 1990s. They were pushed out of forest where they had survived survive since time immemorial. At the moment, the Batwa are scattered in different areas around the Virunga area.

This unsocial group of Batwa barely speak to outsiders, feel marginalised and some currently occupy the outskirts of Echuya forest reserve. During the Batwa visit, they may take you through demonstrations of there past forest life, explain there thought on there creation, show you how they survived in the forest, show a demo of there hunting skills, honey collecting skills and so much more.

Taking a Batwa visit is one of the ways to give back to this homeless community and show them love. The funds collected are used to support there community activities.

Engage in Swimming in Lake Bunyonyi

Only professional swimmer may take part in swimming in this deep lake. A change from the normal swimming pool to a Lake is worth trying to build a memories Curriculum Vitae. Lake Bunyonyi is Bilharzia free and free of dangerous animals like hippos and crocodiles.

You must have your swimming safety gears on and avoid getting into the very deep ends of the lake. Follow instructions given to avoid getting into trouble.

Mountain Biking While on safari at Lake Bunyonyi

Close to lake Bunyonyi are several highlands where you can do hiking. You need a guide to lead you to get to the top of these highlands. As you cycle enjoy the stunning views of the Islands within Lake Bunyonyi, the different Land forms, vegetation and so much more that you are incapable of seeing while on ground.

 How to get to Lake Bunyonyi for a safari

By road

You can drive from Kampala to Mbarara to Kabale to Lake Bunyonyi as one of the routes you can take. You need a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle as the roads are rough due to weather changes that may cause slippery conditions in the wilderness.

By air

 From Entebbe or Kajjansi, you can get on a daily domestic flight to Kisoro but hire a transfer vehicle. charter flights are available too

What accommodation to book on  Lake Bunyonyi Safari in Uganda

Bunyonyi Overland Resort, Bunyonyi Safari Resort, Paradise Eco Hub, Byoona Amagara Island Retreat

What More can You Add To A Lake Bunyonyi Safari Itinerary

Gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking is an adventure where you follow a fully habituated gorilla family in the wilderness and have one hour with them. Before or after a tour in Lake Bunyonyi you can go gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

You need a gorilla permit as an entry ticket that gives you access to meet the mountain gorillas. At the moment Uganda has about 152 gorilla trekking permits out of 19 gorilla families. Gorilla permits are purchased upon payment and none can be reserved without payment.

Gorilla habituation experience

During gorilla habituation experience tourists escort a team of researchers and trackers in the wilderness to follow a semi-habituated gorilla family then spend four hours in therwe company. At the moment gorilla habituation experience is happening in only the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

 Birding in Uganda

 Other than birding in Lake Bunyonyi, you can continue to Bwindi forest, Mgahinga forest, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National park and others for Birding. Uganda is endowed with over 1000 bird species are record unrivaled by any country in Africa.

While in the southwestern part of Uganda, you may have chance to spot Albertine rift endemics and so may birds that love the lash green environment of this area.

Some of the birds you may spot include Handsome Francolin, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Rwenzori Turaco, Collared Apalises, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Kivu Ground Thrush and so many others.

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is one of the interesting Uganda safari activities you can engage in. Kibale National park is the prime chimpanzee trekking Uganda destination. Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park is also a chimpanzee trekking destination. Kaniyo Babidi forest in Murchison Falls National Park is worth adding to options of chimpanzee trekking destinations you may visit.

You need a chimpanzee trekking permit from Uganda wildlife Authority where maximum 6 chimpanzee permits are opened to public boking each day per troop. Only one hour is allowed with the chimpanzees when you meet them.

Chimpanzee habituation safari in Uganda

For extra time with the semi-habituation chimpanzees, you can do the habituation experience where you escort a team of researchers in the wilderness to have just four hours with the mountain gorillas. You can take this habituation experience where you can enjoy more time with the chimpanzees in there natural setting.

 Book a chimpanzee habituation experience permit upfront in order to engage in this adventure.

Game drives on Uganda safari

 From or after Lake Bunyonyi safari, you can engage in the game drives within the game parks distributed in Uganda. Queen Elizabeth National park is a biosphere reserve where you can engage in game drives where you may meet lions, leopards, waterbucks, bushbucks, topis, warthogs, elephants and so much more.

Murchison falls National Park is also credited for interesting game drive shows each day during early morning and late afternoon game drives in its tracks. Taking a launch trip is one of the highlights of a Uganda safari to Murchison Falls National Park where the shorelines are frequented by a number of animals and birds.

Mountaineering in Uganda

 You can engage in excursion mountaineering on mountains like Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Sabyinyo and Mountain Muhavura. Before engaging in a day’s mountaineering experience, you need a ranger guide to lead you to the summit.

Hiking Mountain Rwenzori is one of the ways to check into the level of your fitness. You need some days of mountaineering as you have to overnight at the points designated on the slopes of the Mountain Rwenzori.

 Visit source of River Nile

Uganda is the only source of River Nile which is on Lake Victoria Jinja. You sail to the dramatic spot where Lake Victoria a water dramatically separates from River Nile water. Enjoy the amazing features nestled at the banks of River Nile like green vegetation, amazing water birds that grace the shores.

Golden monkey safaris in Uganda

While on a visit to Lake Bunyonyi, you may make a detour to do golden monkey trekking or golden monkey habituation experience. Mgahinga National park is the only home of golden monkey safaris in Uganda.

But you need a permit to have access to the golden monkeys either for trekking or habituation experience.

What To pack for Lake Bunyonyi Safari

Safari attire in colors that are wilderness friendly like brown and Khaki.

Foldable safari hat to cover your hair from buzzing insects that wander in this area.

Warmers as this area gets so cold early morning and late evening so you need to get warm.

Insect repellant to keep away stinging insects that may harm you

A torch as solar energy is the main source of power in this area yet the sun doesn’t normally sun bright all the time.

Hard cash to exchange into local currency in case you need in ground purchase.

Extra clothes but a few that are relevant to your safari as over packing may be an inconvenience to you.

A pair of sneakers to use when walking through the different parts of Lake Bunyonyi

A light waterproof backpack in which you carry some safari gears so as not to scatter them while on the walk.

The camera where to store the memories of your Lake Bunyonyi safari experience .

Extra fully charged batteries which you can exchange with when one runs low.

Rainproof gears as it falls any time without warning.

Toiletries as some times the lodges do not provide.

First aid kit with emergency items that can be available when necessary.