Lake Bunyonyi

About this place

Lake Bunyonyi is a calm lake among terraced hills in south-west Uganda, between Kabale and Kisoro and close to the Rwandan border. Its name means «place of many little birds». It is dotted with 29 green islands and is among the country's most restful places, and visitors often come here to unwind after trekking gorillas in the nearby forests. Scientific sources generally give its greatest depth as about 40 metres, while some guides and locals insist it is far deeper, up to 900 metres, a figure that has not been shown. The lake and its terraces appeared on the 5,000-shilling note from 2004 to 2009. It is the largest and highest of three small lakes in the Kigezi highlands. From the hills you see tree-covered islands scattered over blue water. Mist fills the valley early in the morning, and the horizon takes on colour at sunset. Fields step down the slopes around the shore, and long wooden boats cross the water. Some small islands can be visited, each with a story the boatman will tell. It is about 10 km from Kabale in a straight line and about 42 km from Bwindi forest. You can hire a boat or a wooden canoe at the shore, so agree a price first, and wear a life jacket if one is offered. Nights are cold at this height, so bring a jacket. One or two nights is about right.