Ten Reasons to Visit Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda

10 reasons to visit Lake Bunyonyi
Recap: 10 reasons to visit Lake Bunyonyi

Looking for reasons to visit Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda? Let me explain.

Lake Bunyonyi is paradise on earth. Hidden in the southwestern Uganda highlands, it’s a place like no other, with an incredible wealth of birdlife, stunning natural beauty, and a whole host of activities to keep tourists entertained.

I’ve genuinely lost count of how many times I’ve visited Lake Bunyonyi, but I would say I’ve been there on at least ten separate occasions. Therefore, I put together this article to provide you with ten reasons to visit Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda, one of my favorite places on earth.

If you have any questions about any of the points I raise or need some help booking a trip or accommodation, drop me a line in the comments below, and I’d be delighted to help you out.

But without further ado – here are ten reasons to visit Lake Bunyonyi, the jewel in Uganda’s crown.

10 reasons to visit Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi is a destination that truly takes your breath away and comes highly recommended by practically everyone who visits. But, if you still need persuading, here are 10 reasons to visit Lake Bunyonyi, a true paradise on earth:

Reason #1: It’s one of the most beautiful places on earth

There’s something magical about Lake Bunyonyi, particularly at sunrise.

I’ve traveled to lots of different places over the years, but I’m still yet to come across a place that I love as much as Lake Bunyonyi. I’m not just saying that for the purposes of this article; I genuinely think it’s one of the most beautiful places on earth.

When you arrive in Kabale – the nondescript town that serves as the gateway to Lake Bunyonyi – you almost certainly won’t be prepared for the natural beauty that lies in wait.

The journey up the steep hill from town gives way to rolling terraces before the lake comes into view for the first time. As you wind your way back down to the lake shore, you start reaching some of the resorts and guesthouses that house the tourists that make it to this stunning part of the world.

I guarantee that you will want to take photos at practically every turn you make on the road, but there’s no rush. The pace of life in and around the shores of Bunyonyi is super slow, so you can head for a casual walk when you arrive at your lodgings and snap photos until your heart is content!

Reason #2: It’s safe for swimming

There aren’t many places (swimming pools excluded) that are safe for swimming in Uganda. And much to many people’s surprise, the biggest threat in water bodies is posed by the ungainly hippopotamus, which is responsible for around 500 human deaths in Africa every year.

Of course, Uganda’s waterways are also home to a sizeable population of Nile Crocodiles, pre-historic beasts that can grow up to 20 feet in length. Suffice it to say that you wouldn’t want to get in the water when a croc is around!

And if the threat of crocs and hippos isn’t enough to put you off swimming in freshwater lakes in Uganda, the presence of bilharzia might just seal the deal. It’s a tropical disease that can live in snails that are present in some freshwater bodies, and it’s not an infection that you want to risk catching.

But the good news? Lake Bunyonyi is free from hippos and crocs, and has been declared free from bilharzia, too. As a result, it’s one of only a few freshwater lakes safe for swimming in East Africa, making it an extremely popular tourist destination for this reason alone!

Reason #3: It’s perfect for birding

Bunyonyi literally means “place of many little birds,” and it’s one of East Africa’s prime destinations for birding safaris. It would be impractical to list all of the bird species native to Bunyonyi here, but you will see everything from egrets to eagles in and around the lake shores, and it’s a wonderful place to add to your lifer list.

If you’re familiar with my articles, you will know that I’m a keen birdwatcher, and I’m so proud that a long-crested eagle has recently settled into one of the trees in my backyard!

Given that Bunyonyi is only a few hours’ drive from my home, I tend to visit several times a year, and I always take my camera with me in the hope of capturing images of as many birds as possible.

If you don’t want to go things alone when you visit Bunyonyi, you can arrange guided birding safaris with local experts, and it makes for a wonderful afternoon as you walk around the lake looking for the various species that call this part of Uganda home.

So, if you’re a keen birder and you’re planning an upcoming vacation in Uganda, Lake Bunyonyi is an absolute must-visit destination!

Check out my recent article about birdwatching for beginners in East Africa, to help you prepare for your first birding trip in the region!

Reason #4: There’s a lot of interesting local history

When you spend time at Lake Bunyonyi, you can learn about the fascinating history of the Bakiga tribe, who are native to the lake shores and the surrounding districts.

One of the main points of interest at Lake Bunyonyi is Akampene – known in English as Punishment Island. Up until the middle of the twentieth century, unmarried pregnant girls were abandoned on the island and left to die. You can pass the eerie Punishment Island on a dug-out canoe when you visit Lake Bunyonyi, as a local guide offers context to this abhorrent practice.

Another point of interest within Lake Bunyonyi is Sharp’s Island, which served as a leprosy treatment center during the 1930s. Again, knowledgeable local guides are at hand to take you past the island, informing you of the intricacies of Sharp’s work and his legacy to this day.

The Bakiga are extremely friendly and always willing to chat about their past, and the local history of the area is yet another reason to visit Lake Bunyonyi during your upcoming vacation in Uganda.

Reason #5: The crayfish is to die for

As a lover of seafood, I would travel a long way to enjoy the freshwater crayfish that is served by many of the restaurants and hotels that surround Lake Bunyonyi. Fortunately, I only have to drive for a few hours to enjoy this Ugandan delicacy, and the crayfish is truly out of this world.

Plucked from the lake on a daily basis, the restaurants surrounding Lake Bunyonyi serve up dishes that include avocado and garlic crayfish, crayfish linguini, and crayfish curry, the latter being my personal favorite.

While there are lots of nice places to eat at Lake Bunyonyi, I highly recommend the restaurant at Bunyonyi Birdnest – crayfish features heavily on the menu, and there is an awesome selection of beers and wines to wash it down with, as well as stunning views across the lake.

Reason #6: There are lots of accommodation options

This article isn’t intended as a review of accommodation in and around Bunyonyi – you can use TripAdvisor for that – but what I will say is that there are so many accommodation options for you to choose from, at very reasonable prices given how beautiful the setting is.

I’ve stayed at more than five different spots at Lake Bunyonyi on my many visits (and perhaps more, but I can only remember five!). The aforementioned Birdnest is perhaps my favorite, but I also want to give a shoutout to Byoona Amagara.

Located on an island, Byoona Amagara is an eco-friendly lodge in which you can sleep in purpose-built eco domes for unrivaled views across the lake. It’s the ultimate chill-out destination and a great place to get away from the world!

Reason #7: You can easily include it on your itinerary

When you look at Lake Bunyonyi on a map, you will be forgiven for thinking it’s not in a great location. After all, it’s tucked away in the far southwestern corner of Uganda.

But assuming that you’ve come to Uganda for safari, Lake Bunyonyi is only a few hours’ drive away from Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the drive from Kihihi is nothing short of spectacular, as you are provided with incredible views as you make your way to the lake.

Bunyonyi is also close to Uganda’s main gorilla trekking destinations and is a few hours’ drive from Buhoma, the main entrance to the Bwindi Impenetrable forest. So, if you’re in Uganda for safari or gorilla trekking, there’s absolutely no reason not to round off your trip with a few days at Lake Bunyonyi.

Another thing worth noting is that Lake Bunyonyi is around one hour away from the Rwandan border, which is ideal for visitors entering Uganda from the Gatuna border post.

Given that lots of people opt for the East African Tourist Visa and visit Rwanda and Uganda during the same trip, adding a trip to beautiful Bunyonyi to your itinerary is a wonderful way to relax before your flight back home.

Reason #8: You can take a boat cruise

Preparing to take a canoe out onto Lake Bunyonyi! They’re much more difficult to control than they look…

While this might seem like an obvious thing to say, one of the best activities to enjoy at Lake Bunyonyi is a pre-arranged boat cruise with a local guide. You can hop in a dug-out canoe and watch the world go by at a leisurely pace, or you can arrange a motor boat to take you around the lake more quickly.

Either way, hopping on a boat is a great way to explore the various islands that are dotted around the lake.

You will also see lots of wildlife, and your guide will be able to point out the various points of interest that are prevalent on the shores of the lake.

Boat cruises are relatively inexpensive, too, with our recent boat trip costing around $30 for a two-hour trip on a motorized boat. We arranged it for just before our evening meal, so it was the perfect way to watch the sunset.

Reason #9: There’s an outdoor adventure park

While I like to visit Bunyonyi to switch off and recharge my batteries, I know lots of people prefer to fill their vacations with various activities. For the outdoorsy among you, there’s actually an outdoor adventure park on an island in the middle of the lake!

Although I’ve never been to the park myself, my friends go there often and enjoy rope climbing and the zip wire, which I certainly would have enjoyed when I was younger.

You don’t need to make arrangements ahead of time and can simply turn up on the island to enter the park. However, you can always make arrangements with your tour operator if you like to be organized, as you need to at least arrange transport from the mainland to the park – something that can be arranged with staff at the park itself.

Reason #10: There’s nowhere else like it in East Africa

Given that the Great Rift Valley is located in East Africa, the region isn’t short of crater lakes and remnants of volcanic activity from centuries ago. However, Lake Bunyonyi is truly a one-of-a-kind destination for the nine reasons mentioned above.

It’s safe, located close to many of the other points of interest in this part of Uganda, and has an abundance of birdlife that cannot be found elsewhere in the Pearl of Africa.

So, if you’re planning a trip to Uganda in the near future, you cannot afford to miss Lake Bunyonyi.

Recap: 10 reasons to visit Lake Bunyonyi

Of all the tourist destinations in Uganda, Lake Bunyonyi is probably my favorite – and I don’t say that lightly. Trust me, if you make the effort to visit this gorgeous part of the world, you simply won’t regret it.

While you can arrange a trip to Bunyonyi yourself, I have partnered with AJ Tours and Travel, who are specialist safari providers in East Africa. Andrew and the team can arrange all of your travel and accommodation needs in Uganda and can put together the perfect itinerary – with Lake Bunyonyi as a star attraction at the end of your vacation!