3 DAYS: EXPLORING LAKE BUNYONYI UGANDA HOLIDAY SAFARI
3 DAYS: EXPLORING LAKE BUNYONYI UGANDA HOLIDAY SAFARI
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A 3-days holiday safari exploring Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda offers a tranquil getaway amidst stunning natural beauty. Lake Bunyonyi is known for its scenic landscapes, clear waters, and vibrant culture. Lake Bunyonyi is located in the southwestern Uganda between Kisoro and Kabale, and it is close to the border with Rwanda. The lake appeared from 2004 to 2009 on the 5,000 Ugandan shilling note under the title “Lake Bunyonyi and terraces. It is the ideal hideaway and there are thousands of things you ought to do besides ogling the magnificent landscapes from the sloppy hilltops. Only be sure to spend a night or two because this exquisiteness cannot be restricted to just a day. Activities that can be done here include swimming in the lake since it’s bilharzia free, cultural walks and bird watching, canoeing and fishing. Cultural experiences can be organized in the villages nearby. Enjoy watching locals go by their daily lives on canoes to the markets, and farmers going to their terraced gardens. The name alone, Bunyonyi, calls it a place of little birds. It has an enormous assemblage of bird species which makes bird watching a key activity. This lake is home to over 200 species of birds that have been recorded. Cruising into the Nyombi swamp will enable you to see a collection of assorted bird species. These comprise the home-based species as well as those that have crossed over from International borders, particularly during winter seasons In Western countries and more migrant birds.Activities
Activities and What To Do At  Lake Bunyonyi
Boat Rides
Why visit a Lake and not go on a boat cruise? There are countless boats for hire on the banks of the lake ready to take you inland all day. 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), and the tribes of people that live around the lake.
Community Visits and Hiking
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.
Bird Watching
It is also called ‘Place of many little birds’ for a very good reason. It is a home for over 200 bird species like the grey-crowned cranes, red-chested sunbirds, flycatchers, white-tailed blue Monard, slender-billed ball fetch, 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.
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 Bunyoyi 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.
Visit Local Market
The African Market experience is something you should. Markets around Lake Bunyonyi have about anything you can think of ranging from African crafts, vegetables, shoes, clothes, and electronics. The people move around swiftly as they haggle for cheaper prices, others stand around and catch up with each other and others ride in with more merchandise to sell. A local market is a place where people come to connect and catch up with others.
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 on 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, and a chance to stop right in the middle for a little serenity and 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 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 hunters 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 and a unique relationship with the forest which has been marginalized for quite some time now. They live in small grass and stick houses and generally keep to themselves. The Batwa experience was set up by the Kellerman Foundation and being a part of this highly benefits this endangered group of people.
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.
Zip-lining
The recent addition is Ziplining. Sturdy ropes are connected between trees on 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 zip-lining.
Please note that this is a general itinerary, and the actual duration, activities, and accommodations may vary depending on your preferences, available time, and the specific arrangements made with you. It is advisable to consult with us to customise your itinerary and make any necessary adjustments.
Included/Excluded
- Accommodation
- 4×4 safari vehicle with fuel
- Professional Local english speaking Guide/Driver
- Full Board Meals Plan
- All Activity Fees
- Boat Cruise on Lake Bunyonyi
- Evening Canoeing
- Guided Natural Walk and Community Tour
- Entry Visa Fees
- Air fares
- Meals where not provided
- Alcoholic drinks
- Porter fees while trekking
- Personal Insurance
- Personal shopping bills
- Items of personal nature
Day 1: Pick-Up and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Have breakfast at your hotel in Kampala and then set off to Southwestern Uganda for a lifetime experience in Lake Bunyonyi. Along the way stop over at the equator and take enough photos and buy some souvenirs. Proceed to Mbarara town where you will have lunch before heading to Kabale. When you reach Kabale town, continue to Lake Bunyonyi in the evening. Check-in at the lodge of your choice and have dinner overnight.
Day 2: Island Boat Cruise and Exploring Batwa Pygmies Trail
Have breakfast at the lodge, then prepare for the day, we will have an assembled boat cruise to visit almost all the Islands on the lake, and for those who are comfortable with swimming, lake Bunyonyi is one of the Bilharzia Free Lakes in Uganda. Also, you can have a Batwa community visit, – so as to see how the Previous people who used a forest as their Habitant live in a wired condition currently. There is an option of a Canoe cruise, where you cruise along the Lake on your own. As well as Zip Lining across the Lake Islands. Have lunch at the resort and in the evening have a boat cruise on the lake where you will get a chance to view various birds and beautiful landscapes including some of the 29 islands. If you don’t go for a boat cruise you could opt for cycling around the area. Return to the lodge, have dinner and have an overnight.
Day 3: Driving Back to Kampala City/Entebbe Airport Town or at Your Residence
Have breakfast, and have a last glance at the stunning landscape, you could also have a nature walk around the area. Then drive to Kampala stopping in Mbarara town for lunch. You will arrive in Kampala in the evening. Or you will be dropped off at your hotel/lodge or at any place of your inconvenience.