Top Things to Do and See around Lake Bunyonyi
Bird watching
Bird watching from its meaningful name bird watching here is really amazing. It is a home for over 200 bird species like the grey-crowned cranes, red-chested sunbirds, flycatchers, white-tailed blue Monard, slender-billed baglafetch, weavers, egrets, herons, woodpeckers among others all over the banks of the lakes. If you are a bird lover but also in dire need of a quiet getaway, Bunyonyi is the perfect place to experience this.
Boat Rides
Boat Rides – There are countless boats for hire on the banks of the lake ready to take you inland all day wow!! The waters are very safe and so you can move from corner to corner enjoying the scenic view. With a local guide, you get to learn a lot about the 29 islands (inhabited and uninhabited), tribes of people that live around the lake.
Lounging at the amazing resorts is relaxing enough but to experience the Switzerland of Africa, a hike in the surrounding hills is exhilarating and refreshing. Tracks along the terraces, banana plantations, and lush green vegetation give a clear view of the 29 islands. It gives quite a great picture-perfect spot from all angles.
For some more enriched experience, a walk around the communities opens your eyes to the traditional way of living, cultural beliefs, history, and mythical stories that have been told from generation to generation. The local people are very welcoming.
Swimming
The Lake is filled with fresh waters and is Bilharzia free. There is no shore but safe structures have been put in place to allow easy deep dives into the open waters. A change from the swimming pools is just what you need on holiday and Lake Bunyonyi is open for this all time of the day. Take time to chill on the banks of the lake, sunbathe, and deep-dive any time of the day.
Canoe Riding
This is the commonest mode of transport on Lake Bunyonyi. The locals are constantly making trips across the lake from island to island and different sides of the hills to do their personal business.
To have a better feel of what it feels like to live the way they do, a canoe ride is a perfect option, giving you extra time on the lake, a chance to stop right in the middle for a little serenity, and a panoramic view. You can choose to be paddled or even do the paddling yourself as long as you have a guide with you.
This service is available any time of the day including evenings for the lovers that want to watch the sunset as they glide with the lake. The lake is not infested with any dangerous water animals like hippos and crocodiles making this evening and possibly romantic experience unforgettable.
Visiting Batwa pygmies
The Batwa pygmies are a very small group of people found on the border of Kabale and Kisoro in the ‘Echuya Forest Reserve’ who is believed to have been originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a tribe of hunter-gatherers who used to live in the DRC rain forests until they migrated to Western Uganda after being removed from their land as a result of industrialization. There are almost 4,000 Batwa living in this area.
The Batwa have a fascinating history including their own creation story, a unique relationship with the forest that has been marginalized for quite some time now. They live in small grass and stick houses and generally keep to themselves.
Mountain Biking
There are several roads/tracks around the Lake and uphill on the surrounding hills. The entire ride provides a clearer and clearer view of the magical islands and allows you to get up-close and personal with lots of the local people. Some of the lodging arrears provide bikes for hire. This can be arranged by your tour guide – to make sure everything is well prepared in advance.
Ziplining
The recent addition is Ziplining. Sturdy ropes are connected between trees in the opposite banks of the Lake. You get to swing over the calm waters of the lake and even make half somersaults to touch the waters and feel the breeze on your face.
It is a fun, exhilarating experience to linger over the lake and splash the water as you drift from one end to another. Safety equipment is provided for this activity on site. The equipment used is well tested to ensure the safety of everyone on the ziplines.
