Lying between Kisoro and Kabale Districts, South-western Uganda is Lake Bunyonyi, a renowned “Place of Many Little Birds.” Birding at Lake Bunyonyi is the most enjoyable and unmissable experience, perfectly conducted on a canoe or boat ride. About 200 bird species call Lake Bunyonyi a home making it one important birding spot in Uganda.
The interesting bird species to expect to identify while on birding at Lake Bunyonyi include white tailed monad, weaver birds, grey crowned cranes, egrets, slender billed baglafetch, bee eaters, malachite kingfishers, Hadada ibis, levillant cuckoo, black herons, sun birds, African harrier hawk, grey shrike, golden backed weaver, cormorants etc. Besides sighting the lake’s diverse bird species, there is also possibility to engage in boat ride, camping, nature walk, cultural walk etc.
Location of Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi is suitably positioned in the South-western part of Uganda, lying on elevation range of 1962m. This is notably Africa’s second deepest lake, consisting of deep edge of about 900m. Lake Bunyonyi is 25kms long and has width of 7m and most interestingly, it is one exceptional lake in Africa that is Bilharzia free making it also the favorite spot for swimmers.
Lake Bunyonyi which also appears on the 5000 Ugandan Shilling note, boasts of 29 islands. The lake’s islands include among others the Bushara Island, Punishment Island etc. The beauty about Lake Bunyonyi’s 29 islands is that each of them shelters important bird species worth spotting on bird watching tour. The lake also protects crayfish, otters and other species.
The Punishment Island also famous as Akampene Island, was an area the Bakiga used to abandon unmarried pregnant girls for them to starve to death or die while trying to swim back to the mainland. It should be noted that at the time, swimming skills were totally rare and the punishment was used to teach the rest of the girls not to repeat what others did. A man with no cows to pay for the bride wealth then could visit the island to pick the abandoned girl. This practice took place in the first half of the 20 century and currently, it is no longer practiced.
When to go birding at Lake Bunyonyi
Birding at Lake Bunyonyi is ideal from June to September or December to February. Essentially, make your birding expedition complete at Lake Bunyonyi by packing items such as camera, day pack, binoculars, rain jacket, walking shoes-waterproof, guide book, right cloths including a sweater etc.
Places to stay at Lake Bunyonyi during birding tour
Travelers on bird watching tour at Lake Bunyonyi spend a night at the budget, deluxe/mid-range or in a luxury facility. The top lodges and camp establishments at Lake Bunyonyi include Bunyonyi Safari Lodge, Arcadia Lodge Bunyonyi, Lake Bunyonyi Overland Resort, Birdnest @ Lake Bunyonyi Resort & Bushara Island Camp. These are all available for booking at the most affordable rate by all travelers on Lake Bunyonyi holiday tour.
How to get to Lake Bunyonyi for bird watching trip
Birders on bird watching tour to Lake Bunyonyi can get there by road/air. By road, you will be traveling in a full-time 4WD rental car, set off from Kampala via Mbarara-Kabale/Kisoro route, a long drive of 8 to 9 hours. This is for birders on bird watching trip and they plan to begin their trip from Uganda but there is the shortest alternative to connect to Lake Bunyonyi. That is, driving from Kigali via Chanika/Katuna border, about 3-4 hrs short drive. Or fly for about 1 hr and 45 minutes starting from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro or Kihihi airstrip.
