Things to do in Lake Bunyonyi after gorilla trekking in Ruhija Bwindi- In this article, you will learn of things that you can do in Lake Bunyonyi after your trekking safaris in the Ruhija gorilla trekking activity.  Are you planning to go to Ruhija and see the endangered habituated mountain gorillas and then visit Lake Bunyonyi when seeing the gorillas? Please have a look at the things that you can do in Lake Bunyonyi after your gorilla trekking safaris. These activities are researched by our researchers and experts and therefore this is better advice of these activities that you can do in Lake Bunyonyi but before this, we need to know what Lake Bunyonyi is? And where it is found and then we proceed with our story.

All about Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi is found in the district of Kabale in the western part of Uganda and the lake is the deepest in Uganda and the second deepest lake in the whole of East Africa if not in Africa. Visitors will need to drive for about thirty minutes from Kampala town to reach Lake Bunyonyi. The road leading to this lake from Kabale is dusty but well-graded and passable. When I say that the lake is the second deepest in East Africa, I mean all the countries making the East African community which include Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, and southern Sudan. The lake got it to name from the small bird whose locals call Bunyonyi in their Rukiga language. Such birds are always excited and found at the lake because of their favorable vegetation that surrounds the Lake.

There are a lot of islands at Lake Bunyonyi which you can explore and the major fish species in the lake is the crayfish among other several fish species. This is a lava dammed lake which was formed after one of the rivers was blocked from flowing this forming this stunning lake. The presence of Lake Bunyonyi Presents a lot of activities that you can do especially after doing gorilla trekking in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and thus as Africa Adventure Vacations we are delighted to bring you the top things or activities that you can do in Lake Bunyonyi after your gorilla trekking experience in Ruhija

What is the Ruhija region of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park?

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is found in southwestern Uganda and is one of the world’s 4 national parks with endangered mountain gorillas. The recent mountain gorilla survey found that actually, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park harbors more than half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. Bwindi forest National Park has got 4 regions of Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Ruhija.  Ruhija is one of the 4 gorilla trekking regions of Bwindi that is found in the eastern region of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Four habituation gorilla families in the Ruhija sector are available for gorilla trekking and open to the tourists and these include Kyanguriko, Bitura,   and others. Visitors interested in going to Ruhija can access it through Kampala to Mbarara then Kabale town and finally to Ruhija. The sector is also close to Kampala town meaning that you can stay at Lake Bunyonyi and then trek gorillas in Ruhija. Remember that after gorilla trekking in Ruhija there are other things that you can engage in or do at Lake Bunyonyi since it is close to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and these include;

Things or activities to do In Lake Bunyonyi after gorilla trekking in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi

Nature walk/hike or community walks.

Visitors at this lake can involve themselves in nature walks that are done around Lake Bunyonyi and on the island. This is an amazing activity that you can do after your gorilla trekking in Ruhija may in the evening. There are villages and local communities on the island and thus the nature walks will allow you to explore these great community people as you learn more about their cultural experience and sighting ting of good sightings to be done. Explore the traditional and the typical Bakiga homelands and their traditional styles, the established community walks starts at Lake Bunyonyi with the canoe ride to and from the island. In case you would like to know more information about nature hikes or community walks in Bunyonyi as part of your activity after gorilla trekking then contact Africa Adventure Vacations for more details.

Batwa Cultural experience as an activity at Lake Bunyonyi

The lake is the traditional home of the short people called the Batwa pygmies. It is important to note that these people were inhabiting the Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park but after the forests were gazetted as the National Parks some of these people decided to relocate to Kabale District. Visitors taking the Batwa cultural experience will be guided by one of the Batwa guides allowing you to learn more about the traditional Batwa and also you will be entertained by the cultural dances and stone age sites including you learning how to make fire with traditional materials.

Boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi.

After gorilla trekking in the Ruhija sector in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, you may decide to go and for a boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi. The boat ride is done using either the canoe boat ride or the motorized boat and with the boat ride on the Lake, you be taken to the historical island known as Akampene island which acted as the punishment area. Here on the Island, girls would get pregnant or pregnant mothers would be taken there on the island and be left there until they did as the punishment because they have gotten pregnant at a younger age. This would act as a frightening island to other girls and they would abstain from sex till marriage.

Exploring the Islands and Research

This beautiful lake has got over 29 islands which can be accessed on motorized or canoe boat. Learn the history of each Island and see the component of the island. Each of the islands you see on the lake has unique history including that island with the punishment history as we have seen earlier. The history attached to all these islands will be explained to you as the rich traditional guide that will take you through the island.

Mountain Bicycle riding

After your gorilla trekking in Ruhija, you can decide to take on the mountain Bike to have the beautiful scenery, as you bike through the community and villages adjacent to the lake. And this gives you a feel of the true African customized cultural experiences. Bicycles for riding the bicycle are ready for hiring and an English-speaking guide is also available to take you to through the biking trail.

Local community visits

Local community visits through the village communities around Lake Bunyonyi are an interesting activity that you would enjoy after your gorilla trekking activity in the Ruhija sector. The community visits will take you to the homes of the Bakiga and the Batwa who live near the forest or Mgahinga and Mgahinga. Visitors can as well get involved in Zip lining, volunteering neat the community schools and lodges as longs as enjoying watching butterflies and Yoga at the Lodge.

Bird watching in Lake Bunyonyi

This is one of the best birding destinations with over 200 species of birds. Visitors have an opportunity to do birding safaris in over 29 birding islands found in Lake Bunyonyi and this can be done with the use of canoes or motorized boats giving you a great opportunity to give you the best destination to see a lot of birds on the lake and the island.  While at Bunyonyi, some of the bird species will include Black Saw-Wing, Cinnamon, Banded Prinia, Olive, and Mountain Thrushes, Black throats, Bred-Chested Owlet, Thick-billed and Dwarf Honey guides, Red-chested Owlet, Clubbs Cist cola, Regal Sunbird, handsome francolin, Archers Robin-Chat, Bar-tailed Trogons, double toothed and yellow Throated Barbets among others.

What is the best time to visit Lake Bunyonyi?

Like any other park of Uganda, Lake Bunyonyi can be visited nay any or any month throughout the year. Most of the time Kabale tends to be cold because it is located at a relatively higher altitude however, the drier months are considered as the best time for vising Lake Bunyonyi and these include the months of December to February and then from June to September. We mind the weather so much even when we are organizing our gorilla trekking trips to Ruhija in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Where to stay on Lake Bunyonyi after your gorilla trekking in Ruhija?

Most of the lodges have been constructed around Lake Bunyonyi because it proves to be one of the popular destinations in southwestern Uganda in the Kabale district. There are a variety of loges ranging from budget-midrange and the luxury accommodation facilities. Some of the lodges or hotels where you can stay after your gorilla trekking trips in Ruhija include Acadia lodge, Crater bay Lodge, Hawker eye Lodge, Bunyonyi overland resort, Rock resort, Birds Nest resort,  among others. At Africa adventure vacations, we have got a long-standing relationship with some of these lodges around Lake Bunyonyi and therefore we are in a position to choose for you the best hotel or lodge for you to stay at as we negotiate for you the best prices for the rooms within the hotel.

How to get to Lake Bunyonyi after gorilla trekking in Ruhija

One can get to Lake Bunyonyi via the main road from Ruhija to kabala and the Kisoro and then link to Lake Bunyonyi. You will have to pass through Kabale municipality or town to go to Ruhija and you will spend only one hour and 30 minutes driving from Ruhija to Lake Bunyonyi, visitors can also access Lake Bunyonyi through Kigali airport which will last for 4 to 5 hours to reach Bunyonyi via Katuna border. Lake Bunyonyi can also be reached through air transport, from Entebbe international airport visitors can be airlifted to Kisoro airfield and then connect to Lake Bunyonyi. There are domestic airlines that operate domestic flights and chartered flights in Uganda, it is good that visitors land at the Kihihi airstrip since it will require to drive for about one hour to access Lake Bunyonyi as compared to 2 to 3 hours when you use the Kisoro airstrip. Please contact Africa adventure vacations for the best safaris and tours in Kabale District.