This Easter holiday, Lake Bunyonyi might be the place for your family to visit and explore hidden Africa’s beauties.
Lake Bunyonyi, the 2nd deepest lake in Africa and one of the leading tourist destinations in south-western Uganda in Kisoro and Kabale districts, is also known as a place of many little birds. The lake is also quite near the borders of Uganda and Rwanda.
The lake appeared from 2004 to 2009 on the USh5,000 note under the title “Lake Bunyonyi and terraces”. Scientific literature generally quotes a maximum depth of 40 meters (130 feet), but some tourist guides and locals insist the lake is much deeper, about 900 meters (3,000 feet), which would make it the second-deepest lake in Africa.
It was formed about 18000 years ago by a volcanic eruption that blocked a valley in the Rukiga Mountains near the present-day village of Muko on the north-west tip of the lake. On its shores are Kyevu and Muko, while its 29 islands include Punishment Island and Bushara Island.
Lake Bunyonyi is popular for harboring over 200 bird species, and it combines the art of water birds with some migratory birds, making it a perfect destination for many bird enthusiasts.
A dive into the Nyombi swamp reveals a variety of assorted birds, and in addition to bird watching, the place also presents other opportunities, including sports like swimming as well as boat cruising and riding.
The area is also highlighted by various hikes and nature walks, all of which offer more than just nature and pleasure.
According to the supreme adventure park, Lake Bunyonyi offers other packages like zip lines, high ropes courses, and a sense of traditional culture that is felt during the community walks, since one can get stopovers at the Bakiga Cultural Museum as well as the blacksmith sites.
For more cultural adventures, one can visit the village of Bufuka for Batwa and Bakiga experiences. There is a three-day trip to Lake Bunyonyi, where the first day is about pickup and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi depending on your location, according to Three Days in Lake Bunyonyi Safari.
Kabale District leaders have concluded arrangements for the government to establish an airstrip in the district as an outstanding landing site for tourists to easily visit Lake Bunyonyi.
Lake Bunyonyi is second to Lake Tanganyika (4,710 feet [1,436 meters]) in terms of depth in Africa, while Lake Tanganyika is second to Lake Baikal (5,315 feet [1,620 meters]) in Russia, which is the deepest lake in the world ‘and the largest freshwater body according to Encyclopedia Britannica.
