Lake Bunyonyi Island Hopping
Lake Bunyonyi Island Hopping. Lake Bunyonyi, known as the “place of many little birds,” is located in southwestern Uganda within the Kabale and Kisoro districts, near the Rwanda-Uganda border. The lake is about 410 km from Kampala, approximately a 6-hour drive. It harbors over 200 bird species, including weaver birds, grey crowned cranes, and herons. This calm lake also attracts international migratory birds during winter, making it an ideal destination for Uganda birding safaris. The freshwater lake is 25 km long, 7 km wide, covers about 46 km², and is approximately 44 m deep, making it the second deepest lake in Africa after Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania.
Known for its water sports, Lake Bunyonyi attracts both foreign and domestic travelers. The terrace hills of Kigezi surround the lake, offering a unique scenic view of its islands, especially against a beautiful sunset backdrop. This sighting, featured in the famous movie Black Panther, continues to delight travelers who appreciate the excellent accommodations around the lake. Lake Bunyonyi includes 29 islands, each with its own mythical story. The main islands are Akampene (Punishment Island), Bucuranuka Upside Down Island, Kyahugye Island, Bushara Island, and Bwama (Sharp’s Island).
The Main Islands
Akampene (Punishment) Island
The Bakiga people used to dump all pregnant unmarried girls on this island as punishment, leaving them to die of hunger or drown as they tried to swim back to the mainland. This act served as an example to discourage early pregnancies. Though no longer practiced, the island still holds the punishment name.
Bushara Island
Bushara Island, home to the Lake Bunyonyi Development Company, handles various development projects around the lake funded by tourism activities. The island features a forest with fast-growing eucalyptus trees and is ideal for hiking. It offers services like tent rentals, canoe, and sailboat hire, allowing tourists to paddle to other islands.
Kyahugye Island
Kyahugye Island covers about 74 acres with many tree species, including eucalyptus, alnus, cypress, and pine. It is surrounded by a wide strip of reeds interspersed with papyrus. The vegetation comprises bushes, open fallows, tree plantations, and natural vegetation. As the nearest island from the mainland, it offers campsites, chalets, and accommodation. Tourists can enjoy spectacular views of the terraced hills, nature walks, birding, hiking, canoeing, and community visits. It is also the only island with introduced wild animals, including zebras, waterbucks, kobs, and Debrazza monkeys.
Bwama (Sharp’s Island)
Dr. Leonard Sharp, an English missionary, named this island. He set up a leprosy treatment center, a church, and quarters on the island, which was used as an isolation ground for leprosy patients. The treatment center later transformed into a boarding school teaching primary school children.
Bucuranuka Upside Down Island
The island’s name comes from a story about an old woman who asked for help from the island’s occupants and was denied. A young man helped her cross to the mainland, and as they reached safety, the island capsized. The island was known for brewing local sorghum before it got its name.
Culture and People
The Bunyonyi region is occupied by both the Bakiga and the Batwa people. The Bakiga, Bantu people, have tilled the hills of Kigezi for centuries. They are known for their strength and hard work, responsible for the beautiful terrace cultivation on the Kigezi hills’ slopes. The Batwa were initially forest people living in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest before it became a national park. Their music and drama tell stories that draw you into a sorrowful imagination of how their culture is fading away.
We at Abunda Discoveries Uganda offer itineraries with a twist, including this adventure to Lake Bunyonyi. We emphasize the slogan “it’s never a tour unless it’s memorable.” Book with us today by simply sending us a message to start a wonderful safari experience.
