Gorilla trekking while staying at lake Bunyonyi.
Staying at lake Bunyonyi and trekking gorillas in Ruhija on Eastern side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is safe? we investigate the benefits and drawbacks involved.
Located in south western in the Kabale area often referred to as Uganda’s Switzerland, Lake Bunyonyi Although some claim Lake Bunyonyi is the second deepest lake in Africa behind Lake Tanganyika of Tanzania, it is reported as the deepest lake in Uganda. The lake gets its name “Bunyonyi” from a Rukiga language term for somewhat frequent tiny birds in the surroundings.
Many visitors that hike gorillas in Ruhija on the eastern side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park have found that they would rather stay in Lake Bunyonyi rather than Ruhija or Buhoma with other lodging. This paper therefore focuses on the benefits and drawbacks of staying at Lake Bunyonyi and hiking Bwindi Gorillas. Apart from being a bording refuge for passionate and keen birders, Ruhija is well-known for its three gorilla groups: Oruzogo, Bitukura, and Kyaguriro.
Trekking Ruhija gorillas and stopping at Lake Bunyonyi allows visitors and driving guides to break the lengthy trip. From Kampala to Ruhija, one is expected to be OK with driving for around ten hours, which is not ideal for some one who would be hiking gorillas the following morning. Even if you are very flesh and not fatigued, staying at Lake Bunyonyi results in traveling around seven hours just so that after relaxing you can then drive about two hours to the tracking region.
The second benefit is that, in terms of tourist activities, Lake Bunyonyi offers more choices than Ruhija does. While gorilla tracking and birding are the main activities in Ruhija, one can take a boat ride on the lake to explore various islands including the many floating islands as well as the well-known punishment islands where girls who could become pregnant outside marriage would be dropped and left to die in lake Bunyonyi.
You could also choose to go birdwatching, hill climbing, to the Batwa village or Bakiga for cultural events. If time permits, you might also embark on a Kabale town tour seeing the residence of Edirisa and the area museum. You may do all of these things either on the day you arrive or after gorilla tracking.
One drawback to staying at Lake Bunyonyi and trekking gorillas in Ruhija is that you should be ready to get up somewhat early to begin your two-hour trip to the head quarters of the park. Many visitors staying at Bunyonyi have to be ready to take off at 6pm and get up at 5am so they reach before the stipulated time for gorilla tracking briefing. Kabale is mountainous; fog slows down the journey and the road becomes slick when it rains; mudslides may also obstruct the path and cause most usually fear.
This enormous lake’s development is connected to lava devastating events a million years ago. It is thought that during volcanicity, lava from surrounding hills obstructed a river valley, therefore preventing the flow of water leading rearward to occupy the valley. Because its showers are shielded by hills, Lake Bunyonyi is also considered to be calm and steady with little waves. If you visit Lake Bunyonyi at any period, you will find that women and children utilize basic canoes for fishing and transportation—not typical on other lakes.
Lake Bunyonyi has grown to be one of the attractions visitors appreciate visiting in southern western Uganda because of its location and formation type. Many visit Lake Bunyonyi for swimming, sport fishing, birdwatching, hill climbing, boat trips, and a host of other local pursuits.
This has led to the construction of many luxury and budget-conscious lodging facilities to serve every kind of visitor flocking to this lake. Among the well-known lodging establishments in this region are Birds Nest, now the luxury one; Arcadia Cottages, Crater Bay Cottages; Lake Bunyonyi Overland Camp; Bushara Island Camp; Bunyonyi Eco resort among others.
