LAKE BUNYONYI VISIT

lake Bunyonyi also called Place of many little birds is located in south western Uganda between two districts of Kisoro and Kabale close to the border with Rwanda. It’s Located at 1,962 m (6,437 ft) above sea level, it is about 25 km (15.5 mi) long and 7 km (1.35 mi) wide. The depth of the lake is expected to vary between 44 m (144 Ft.) and 900 m (2,952 ft), which if true would make the lake the second deepest in Africa. It is one of the few lakes in the region that is rumored to be free of bilharzia and safe for swimming.

Geographically Lake Bunyonyi is a body of water seven kilometers or 4.3 miles west from Kabale Town, southwestern Uganda. It is 25 km long and 7 km (4.3 mi) wide, covering an area of 61 square kilometers (23½ sq. miles). The lake’s altitude is 1,950m above sea level and it is surrounded by hills that are 2,200 to 2,478 meters high and intensely cultivated. Its 29 islands are concentrated in the central part and have few settlements but instead they are mostly used for tourist facilities and for secondary as well as a primary school study tours.

The data on the lake’s maximum depth varies, from 44m to 900m (144 to 2,952 ft) in parts. If the latter is true, Lake Bunyonyi is the second deepest lake in Africa as witnessed by most of tourists after there safari, The temperature on the surface rises to 25 degrees Celsius (77ºF). Fish was introduced to the lake in the later years and in the 1930s fishing became profitable. Unfortunately in the 1960s the fish died massively as a result of a violent shallow mixing that is anticipated to be caused by wind. Subsistence fishing prevailed in the lake, people mostly caught clarias species – the lake’s depth and stratification makes it difficult for the breeding of the common Ugandan species Nile Perch and Tilapia. Nevertheless, 300,000 Nile Tilapias and Clarias fish were released in the lake at the end of 2002.

Also present in the lake are Mud fish, Cray fish and Mirrowcarp – and plenty of their predators, otters. Towns on its shores include Kyevu and Muko, while its 29 islands include Punishment Island and Bushara Island. It is a popular location for watersports and is known for the surrounding terraced hillsides. It is popular with both foreign and domestic tourists and there is a wide variety of tourist accommodation.

Many tourists and travelers who undertake a Gorilla trekking safari or come to Uganda and Rwanda after their Go experience rest and relax at the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi as they enjoy the best scenery in the whole world, involve themselves into various cultural and community activities as well birding and canoe rides.

The lake’s main Centre is Bufuka Village which is the area’s inhabited by two tribes of the Bakiga and the Batwa. Activities at Bunyonyi include canoeing, boat riding, and local tour, swimming, hiking the highlands around the lake, pygmy village tour and birding. Visitors who usually take safaris to Uganda at Lake Bunyonyi generally enjoy and experience a breathtaking nature of Lake Bunyonyi which is a bilharzia free swimming lake.

Safari activities at Bunyonyi include canoeing, boat riding, and local tour, swimming, hiking the highlands around the lake, pygmy village tour and birding. Savannah Explore will take you to Lake Bunyonyi Safaris to enjoy and experience the unique gifts of nature. Nature walks Walking around the lake Bunyonyi’s waters while listening to bird songs and the tearing water and consequently the feeling of the fresh breeze of Lake Bunyonyi and community around. The interesting walk can be done along the lake’s shores and it involves tourists moving Bunyonyi different islands.

Bird watching
This is a key activity because Lake Bunyonyi its self means place of many little birds and therefore a majority of bird species can be noticed, there are more than 200 species of birds recorded. Using a boat ride to the neighboring Nyombi swamp one is able to see a selection of bird species over the trees and the sky.

The variety of bird species which can be found here include both the Uganda species as well as the international species which usually migrate from the European continent during times of winter.

Swimming
The waters of Lake Bunyonyi are free from the hazards of bilharzia, dangers of crocodiles, hippos and other threatening animals thus do not miss swimming opportunities. Lake Bunyonyi being the first deepest lake in Uganda and second deepest lake in whole of African continent, visitors ought to be good, experienced or expert swimmers. The benefits of Swimming in Lake Bunyonyi waters are limitless and some of them include enjoyment and refreshment, as well as gaining body fitness, among others.

Boat cruise and canoeing can also be enjoyed around the lake

This will help you experience the quietness, calmness and the tranquility of Lake Bunyonyi. A canoe ride at night is thrilling given the loud chorus of crickets, frogs, nocturnal birds singing plus the waving lake waters which all make the ride
exceedingly exciting.

Historic and Uganda cultural tours
There are attractive cultural and natural sights like the Bakora cave, the Batwa (pygmies) and the Abaheesi (traditional black smiths) communities that are accessible in close proximity. Also visiting islands around the lake like Habuharo, Akempene and Bucuraniko Island is a memory-catching experience. Here are several Twa villages in the area, but Batwa Today is the most recommended, aiming to deliver a more authentic exchange. Trips head to Echuya Forest, the former home of local Twa, and while there are cultural performances, the experience is less contrived than those offered in Bwindi and Mghahinga. Rather than dwelling on the past, insights are offered from a more current context.

Visiting the pygmies
Take a boat trip to the local communities of the Batwa/pygmies who live in the islands near the lake and see their ways of life, activities and their charming cultural dance performances.

Mountain biking
Family unit or group picnics and relaxation can also be enjoyed on the islands in the areas of Lake Bunyonyi.