Islands on Lake Bunyonyi : Lake Bunyonyi is located in southwestern Uganda, between two districts of Kisoro and Kabale, near the border with Rwanda. Its winding shores, is 25 km long and 7km wide and has 29 islands. Lake Bunyonyi is known as the lake for the little birds and people sometimes call it the ‘’Switzerland of Africa ’’because of its green and lush terraced hills that are punctuated with a plethora of more than 200 bird species life here are combined the art of water birds and some migratory birds thus making a perfect place for bird watchers, some of the bird species viewed include African kingfisher, Grey crowned cranes, White tailed monad, Weaver and many other, and it is surrounded with steep hills measuring 2200 meters to 2471 meters high. The hills are intensely cultivated. Lake Bunyonyi covers 61 square kilometers of the area and is located on surface area of 1,962 meters above the sea level. The lake has a maximum depth of 900 meters and it’s about 25meteers and 7 kilometers wide which makes it to be the 4th deepest lake in Africa and in the world. Lake Bunyonyi is a water body that measures 7 kilometers wide from the west of Kibale and varies is temperature and surface that rises 250 C and it is bilharzia free and very safe for swimming.
Islands on Lake Bunyonyi.
Lake Bunyonyi is well known as the deepest Crater Lake in Africa, on the other side described as the place of 29 islands though five are the most outstanding islands people visit and each island has its most interesting history attached to it. The Lake Bunyonyi islands include Akampene Island, Bushara Island, Kyahugye Island, Bwana and Nyuyeera ‘’sharp island and Bucuranuka ‘’ upside down island. Those are the most 5 stunning and featured islands on Lake Bunyonyi.
Akampene Island.
Akampene Island is known as the punishment island and is the most visited among the 29 islands of Lake Bunyonyi and the smallest of all. It’s one of those without human settlements because of the history of tradition behind it. Though the tradition has now been modernized, historically it was an island where they used to punish teenage girls who would get pregnant out of wedlock, also if any girl was found pregnant they would be taken to that island and be left there, as the culture norm during those days. Due to that practice of torturing young pregnant girls led to many to earth because they would lack what to eat and die at the island. Now days the modernization was adopted, the young pregnant girls are no longer taken at the island as a punishment, currently you go to the island to visit.
Bacuranuka Island.
Bacuranuka island is also famous because of its awesome story, as people say that is island is upside down since an old lady cursed it in the old days, it’s believed that the old lady came to the island and found men preparing local brew known as the ‘’obushera’’ in the local language. The old lady had to request the men to give some of the local brew but the men refused and they offered to give aside to the mainland which she accepted and one of the men took her to the mainland, due to that rigors when that old lady got to the mainland she cursed the island and it turned upside down burning the men who never left the island.
Kyahugye Island.
Kyahugye Island is also a popular island that gives a great view to the wild animals at the island like the antelopes, waterbucks, impala and many more, if you’re doing the game drive you are always guided by the guide to take you around the island.
Bwana Island.
Bwana island is also of the five islands and known on lake Bunyonyi, and a place where a Leprosy treatment sanctuary was made and people visit the island to see the remains of what was the Leprosy Hospital, it began between the 1920’s and 1930’s set up by the Scottish missionary and the idea was to treat persons with Leprosy away from the stigma of the non-suffers and it’s a reason to why it was called a sanctuary. As we talk now the treatment center is no longer there, the facilities are there but of which currently are used as school facilities.
Bushara Island.
Bushara Island is known as a good location for birding while on safari to Lake Bunyonyi, if you are a bird watcher during your safari do not miss out visiting the islands for a bird watching experience.
Lake Bunyonyi is known as the main stop over through gorilla trekking to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park a top done activity on Uganda safaris. Furthermore a great location for its cool fresh breeze, quiet and serene ambiance and scenic views, to the people who have visited the place before can testify of its cool breath taking beauty of this lake which is good to separate away from the noisy city places to cool down their minds thus making it among atop tourists safari destination.
While at Lake Bunyonyi, travelers can engage in many interesting activities such as bird watching, canoeing, boat riding, mountain biking, visiting the local people/cultural tours that is pygmy village tour, hiking safari and so many more activities to be experiences in at these amazing islands.
Best time to visit Lake Bunyonyi.
The best time to visit Lake Bunyonyi is in the dry season months of July, August, and December to February.
Where to stay during your visit to Lake Bunyonyo.
Lake Bunyonyi has got a variety of accommodation facilities that provides the most reliable and comfortable accommodations that range from Budget, Mid-range and Luxuries as these include Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort, Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort, Bunyonyi Overland Resort, Hawk’s Eye Lodge Bunyonyi, Bunyonyi safari lodge, Paradise eco hub an many more, as the prices depend on the traveler’s budget.
How to get to Lake Bunyonyi.
Lake Bunyonyi can be accessed into two different means of transport by either the road or the air means of transport from Kampala to Lake Bunyonyi.
By Road means.
Lake Bunyonyi can be accessed from Kampala capital within 8 hours and 16 minutes by the road passing through Kabale.
By Air means.
You can fly to and from Entebbe airport to reduce on the driving hours which takes 4 and 30 minutes to reach Kihihi airstrip.
