Lake Bunyonyi is found in south-western Uganda in Kisoro and Kabale districts, close to the border with Rwanda. The word Bunyonyi means “Place of many little birds”. The depth of Lake Bunyonyi measures 40 m (130 ft), though some insist it is much deeper, at about 900 m (3,000 ft), making it the second-deepest lake in Africa. The road distance between Kampala and Lake Bunyonyi is 459.9 kilometres – 8.5 hours’ drive.
Lake Bunyonyi has islands such as Akampene (Punishment Island), Bwama and Njuyeera (Sharp’s Island) Bushara Island. Punishment Island gets its name from the infamous history it holds; the indignant Bakiga people used to leave unmarried pregnant girls on this small island – to die of hunger or while trying to swim to the mainland or fend for themselves until a man who can’t afford dowry for a wife goes to pick up one woman from the island for “free”. The practice was long abandoned, though the Island still carries the name.
Lake Bunyonyi is composed of ever green and lush terraced hills with over 200 water and migratory bird species. Animals such as the impala, zebra, water buck, the kob and the only debrasa monkey (referred to as the “President of this Island”) can be sighted.
You can go to this breathtaking haven for birdwatching, and sports like swimming, boat cruising and riding, hikes and nature walks. Additionally, you can go for a community walk at the Bakiga Cultural museum, the blacksmith sites, visit the village of Bufuka for Batwa and Bakiga experiences.
