Stunning Scenery & Birding on Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi is found in the southwestern part of the country near the Rwanda border, it is one of the amazing spots in Uganda which give a breathtaking environment to tourists. In spite of the fact that not well marketed as compared to different destinations in the country, Bunyonyi is a hideout hilarious site which am certain everyone would wish to visit particularly if interested in a lifetime experience.

The word “Bunyonyi” is in a local language meaning “birds” and the reason why this Lake was named so is because it’s a home to variety of different bird species. Numerous birders are fond to this place simply due to the thousands of birds which fly about the whole area are easily seen. Compared to other birding destinations in Uganda, Lake Bunyonyi is the most convenient destination to visit as one sits back relaxed on the lake banks in the meantime seeing the viewing the birds in the sky.

With lake having around 29 islands all found in its center, it makes it more convenient to different birds to stay around even those which homeless are fond of looking for asylum at on this lake and this has radically increased their numbers. Some of the island on the Lake Bunyonyi include; – Akampene, Bushara, Bwama and Njuyeera, Bacuranuka among others. All the islands in the Lake Bunyonyi are easily accessed by boat and really many visitors enjoy travelling from one island to another by boat as they search for different bird species. As they cruise on the waters of Bunyonyi, they get am opportunity of encountering some birds particularly the water birds as they play and roam about the water surface.

The lake hosts over 200 different bird species and these include; – White tailed blue monard, grey crowned cranes African Harrier Hawk, Herons, egrets, the cardinal woodpecker, the levillant cuckoo, slender billed baglafetch, weavers, levillant cuckoo and among others. Apart from viewing these rare bird species, visitors can participate in some other adventurous tour activities while at Lake Bunyonyi including, boat cruise, spot angling, cultural walk to Batwa community of people and nature walks around the lake.

Getting Around

Lake Bunyonyi is located in Kabale, south western Uganda, 411 km from Kampala. It is 7 – 9 hours drive from Kampala. The area is mostly visited by tourists for relaxation after the hectic / adventurous activity of mountain gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park.

From Bwindi National park, it is only 2-3 hours drive, 2 hours drive from Mgahinga National Park and 3-4 hours from Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, another home to the endangered mountain gorillas in Africa. From Queen Elizabeth National Park, it is only 4-6 hours, and 4 hours from Lake Mburo National Park.

The major tour activities around Lake Bunyonyi include canoe ride to different Islands, Batwa community tour, Photographing and bird watching. Never miss-out Lake Bunyonyi while on a wildlife or gorilla safari in Rwanda or Uganda. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South Western Uganda.

Accommodation

The major accommodation units in the area include Bird Nest Resort, Arcadia Cottages, Bunyonyi Overland Resort, Byona Amagala Resort and Nature’s Prime Island. There also hotels and lodges in the nearby Kabale Town such as Home Again Hotel.