Things to do in Lake Bunyonyi after Ruhija gorilla trek safari tours

Welcome to our post, where you will learn about all conceivable activities available in Lake Bunyonyi after the Ruhija gorilla trip. After seeing gorillas in Ruhija of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Parkare, are you intending to end your trip with a calm visit to Lake Bunyonyi?

If so, below are the top things to do in Lake Bunyonyi following the Ruhija gorilla trek described by our top and well-trusted safari designers, but first we need to first educate ourselves about Lake Bunyonyi and the Ruhija side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park before we indulge ourselves in things to do in Lake Bunyonyi.

About Lake Bunyonyi

The second deepest Lake in East Africa, and said to be the deepest lake in Uganda, Lake Bunyonyi is situated in Kabale District, southwest Uganda. From Kabale town, you travel on a dirt road to the lake for almost half an hour.  Six nations of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, and Southern Sudan make up East Africa.

Its name comes from SMALL BIRDS, known in Rukiga as BUNYONYI.  Usually found on the lake, these little birds are attracted by the kind of flora and food supply. Among other fish species, Lake Bunyony has a great abundance of crayfish on many islands.

Geography holds that Lava damning obstructed one of the rivers running in the valley to create this lake, which came to be known as Lake Bunyonyi. After your Ruhija gorilla trip and Katland safaris is ready and equipped to help in selecting all intriguing things to do in Bunyonyi, there is so much to do in Lake Bunyonyi.

About the Ruhija area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Among the four parks housing the unique mountain gorillas is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The present census estimates that over half of the mountain gorillas in the world live in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. One of the four mountain gorilla areas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park open for gorilla trekking is Ruhija.

Among the four habituated mountain gorillas in the Ruhija area—Butukura, Kyaguriro, among others—are easily accessible from Kampala, Mbarara, via Kabale, further to the bush, the Ruhija area is on the eastern side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

One may stay at Lake Bunyonyi and be able to hike with mountain gorillas in the Ruhija area, near Kabale district/town. Activities one may participate in either at or around the lake, either before or after your gorilla trip. After gorilla trekking in the Ruhija area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, here are some activities to do at Lake Bunyonyi.

Activities for Lake evening after the Ruhija gorilla trip

Batwa Cultural Interaction near Lake Bunyonyi

Traditional Batwa pygmies call Lake Bunyonyi home. Some members of the Batwa tribe of Bantu people chose to flee to Kabale when Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park were gazetted. One of the Batwa guides will lead you on the Batwa cultural experience tour around Lake Bunyonyi.

This will allow you to learn about the Batwa traditional way of life and also enjoy the traditional dances of the Batwa and Stone Age practices, including making traditional fire, among others.

Nature Hiking and community walks

After your gorilla walk say in the evening, the Nature walk around Lake Bunyonyi and on the islands is a really fascinating thing to undertake. Great for sightseeing and cultural experience interactions, this will take you around the island settlements and local communities.

Your community walk will probably bring you to a school as well as a traditional Bakiga farmhouse to learn about their way of life. You are probably going to meet a herbalist. Starting with a canoe voyage to and from the community/islands, a well-made community route is accessible.

Please contact Katland Safaris for more information on community and village walks as part of activities to do in Bunyonyi after your gorilla trip in Ruhija; we will then advise you appropriately.

Swimming around Lake Bunyonyi

After your gorilla trip in Ruhija, swimming at Lake Bunyonyi is among the finest ways to cool off and unwind. Perfect for swimmers to swim comfortably, Lake Bunyonyi is a Hippo-Crocodile-Bilharzia free lake. Still, you should be a skilled swimmer as this lake is the second deepest in Africa.

Most of the lake swimmers do so at their own risk.  Safety of our guests comes first at Katland safaris; we will only advise you on swimming in Lake Bunyonyi if you are an excellent swimmer or with the aid of divers and specialists. Please get specifics by contacting us.

Birding.

With an amazing 300 species and among the greatest birding destinations in Uganda, Lake Bunyonyi. Following your gorilla walk in Ruhija, you may bird one of the 29 islands on Lake Bunyonyi and mix it with a dugout canoe or motorized boat trip to provide you with a fantastic opportunity to watch birds on the lake banks and islands.

Should your safari time be restricted, and you will be able to identify any birds visiting the grounds of your Lodge during your stay on Lake Bunyonyi, we advise you to pack your birding book. Grauer’s (African Green) Broadbill, the lovely Regal Sunbird, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Black Goshawk, Augur Buzzard, Crowned Hawk-Eagle, Handsome Francolin, Olive (Rameron), Bronze-winged Pigeon, Black-billed, Ruwenzori, Ross’s Turaco, African, Barred Long-tailed, and African Emerald Cuckoos Olive

Mountain cycling 

Following your gorilla hike, you may mountain bike around the lake and take in the surroundings, which include the nearby towns and people. Riding through the communities, this allows you to experience and appreciate the real Africa.

Hireable bicycles are easily found and come with a local English-speaking guide who will ride with you and quickly show you around. This is not pre- scheduled and may be done before or after your gorilla walk.

Discovering the Islands and Investigating Research

Lake: Bunyonyi has 29 islands to explore, which one may reach by powered boat or dugout canoes. You will get the chance to extensively learn about every island, including its history and attractions. Every single island in this lake has a distinctive and rich past, including the well-known island used for punishment.

The Bakiga claim that any females who would get pregnant before legal marriage would be sent to this island and forced to die there. Your designated local guide will walk you through all this material in addition to other things.

Canoe Boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi

Following your gorilla trip in Ruhija, there is another fascinating activity on Lake Bunyonyi. The boat ride is conducted either in a motorized boat or a dugout canoe, leading to the historical islands, including the well-known Akampene Island, often known as the Punishment Island.

Traditionally, the Bakiga People would send teenage mothers/pregnant females to the Punishment Island and dump them there to nature until they died as a punishment for having sex and being pregnant at a young age. You will understand why this Island is called Punishment Island.  It would be a major occasion aimed to scare other girls into refraining from sex outside of marriage and thus losing the Bride’s Price for the family.

Local visits to communities

Local community visits to nearby communities provide insights into the daily life of the Bakiga and Batwa pygmy people living next to the Bwindi forest. Other pursuits around Lake Bunyonyi include Zip lining, yoga at the Lodge, volunteer work in nearby community schools and projects; nighttime Butterfly viewing is another activity carried out there.

Where should you stay after your gorilla hike in Ruhija on Lake Bunyonyi?

One of the most visited lakes in Uganda, Lake Bunyonyi, has led to the construction of several lodges surrounding it to house the always-rising number of visitors. Among the many Lodges of various kinds found in Lake Bunyonyi are luxury, mid-range, and budget ones.

After your gorilla trip in Ruhija, lodges and hotels include Bird Nest Resort, Acadia Lodge, Crater Bay Lodge, Bunyonyi Overland Resort, Rock Resort, and Hawker’s Eye Lodge, which are located at Lake Bunyonyi.

Most hotels and lodges surrounding Lake Bunyonyi have long-standing working relationships with Katland Safaris; we are here to help you choose which lodge or hotel to book. We also position ourselves to bargain for fantastic offers for you. Please get specifics from Katland Safaris.

When should one go to see Lake Bunyonyi?

Like any other area of Uganda, Lake Bunyonyi is visited all year long. Kabel is high altitude, hence most of the months are chilly and dry; June, July, August, September, December, January, and February are among them. Every trip we do to Ruhija that spends overnights in Lodges near Lake Bunyonyi takes all weather conditions into account.

After your Gorilla journey in Ruhija, how would one go to Lake Bunyonyi?

Road Access to Lake Bunyonyi: off Ruhija to Kabale-Kisoro Highway and thereafter link to Lake Bunyonyi off the main road. You will pass Kabale town and go to your accommodation at Lake Bunyonyi.

From Ruhija to Lake Bunyonyi, a 4×4 vehicle is advised since the travel on a rocky route takes one and a half hours. One may also reach the Lake from Kigali, Rwanda, in around 4 to 5 hours’ driving. If traveling from Kigali, we encourage you to think about passing by the Katuna border crossing, where you will then drive to Kabale town, continuing to Lake Bunyonyi for your activities and overnight.

Getting to Lake Bunyonyi by air

Access Lake Bunyonyi by flying from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airport to Kisoro airstrip. Aero Link and Fly Uganda, local airline companies, provide scheduled and chartered flights. You will have to coordinate a transport from the airfield to the Lodge you have reserved for your visit with your tour operator.

You might travel from Entebbe to Lake Bunyonyi using one of two airstrips. From Entebbe, you may book a scheduled flight landing at Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrip. Once you arrive in Kihihi, you will travel for around two and a half hours over the forest from the north to the eastern section of Bwindi Impenetrable National park where Ruhija is located.

Another hour then for Kabale. You will also travel for around two to three hours from Kisoro Airstrip to Lake Bunyonyi. Choosing to fly would have shortened a typically nine to ten hour lengthy commute. Please email or phone Katland Safaris for more information on available flights.

Why schedule your activities at Lake Bunyonyi after your gorilla trip with Katland Safaris?

Following your gorilla trip in Ruhija, Katland Safaris will assist you in planning all the activities you would like to engage in while your stay on Lake Bunyonyi. Get in touch with us to get booking advice. We can also schedule for you several gorilla safari packages ranging from budget, mid-range, to luxury alternatives based on the Ruhija region of Bwindi.

These include the gorilla habituation permits. Visit our travel advisor evaluations and read from a community of contented customers at will. You may relax knowing that the Uganda safari tour will be unforgettable with us.

Our priorities are giving great client pleasure and service. Our staff of outstanding tour guides is always ready to assist with all your safari queries. We promise a fantastic gorilla trip in Bwindi and your stay with us at Lake Bunyonyi.