Canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi with Standard Safaris is a memorable tour experience you will have in the southwest of Uganda. With a local guide, you will enjoy a ride in a dugout canoe to get a chance to witness and float on the tranquil waters of Lake Bunyonyi. Canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi is also a unique way of gaining knowledge about the indigenous people and their history through folktales and interactions. There is also an opportunity to view or visit some of the 29 Islands that are found on Lake Bunyonyi.
About Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi is settled at an altitude of 1,973 meters above sea level and is 56 square kilometers wide and has a total depth of about 40 meters. Lake Bunyonyi has several rivers and streams that either feed it or empties its waters. Rivers Nyombe and Kagoma are among the main inflows into Lake Bunyonyi, while a major stream drains Lake Bunyonyi into the Ruhuma swamp valley.
Lake Bunyonyi is Uganda’s deepest and the second-deepest lake in Africa. The lake was formed 10,000 years ago by volcanic activity in the Virunga mountains that blocked the Ndego River to trap the water in a valley. Lake Bunyonyi, locally means ‘a place of many little birds.’ Lake Bunyonyi houses over 200 species of birds making it a birding hotspot. Different wild animals can be found at Lake Bunyonyi, especially if you go for an Island visit. The animals include De Brazzas monkeys, zebras, Uganda kobs, impalas waterbucks, etc.
The most notable island that could be seen while on a canoeing experience on Lake Bunyonyi is Akampene Island. Also known as the ‘Punishment Island,’ this is the Island known for being the place where girls/ladies who got pregnant out of wedlock were banished by their people to suffer for their ‘crime.’ Other Islands on Lake Bunyonyi include Bwama Island, Njuyeera Islands, Bacuranuka Island, Bushara Island Kyahugye Island, etc.
Weather conditions at Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi is situated in the equatorial region and therefore experiences a tropical climate. This is marked by bimodal rainfall patterns. Normally, there are long rains that fall between March to May, while short rains are experienced between September and November. The average annual rainfall received ranges between 800 millimeters to 1,000 millimeters. The driest months of the year fall between June to August, while late December to February is dry but has some showers.
When to travel for canoeing in Lake Bunyonyi
You can travel to Lake Bunyonyi for a canoeing experience at any time of the year. Canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi is safe because you are provided with life jackets that you can wear in case the windy conditions of the wet season affect the experience. Some lifeguards are experienced enough to save you in case an unfortunate accident occurs. During the sunshiny days, however, ensure to have your UV-protective sunglasses and suncream to avoid the effect of sunrays on your skin and eyes.
How to travel for canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi
Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi is possible on either road or air transport. From Kampala, you will cover around 430 kilometers along Masaka, Mbarara, and Kabale to reach Lake Bunyonyi in the southwest. This scenic drive will take around 8-9 hours on our comfortable 4X4 safari car. Lake Bunyonyi can also be reached from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (105 kilometers), Queen Elizabeth National Park (260 kilometers), Kibale National Park (350 kilometers), Murchison Falls National Park (670 kilometers), and Volcanoes National Park (110 kilometers).
Chartered flights are also available if you prefer traveling by air to make the transfer much faster with aerial views a guarantee. AeroLink offers these services from Entebbe International Airport to the nearest airports (Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips). The flight will take almost 2 hours, and upon arrival, you must arrange ground transportation to Lake Bunyonyi. A driver guide from Standard Safaris will meet you at the airstrip and do just that with efficiency. In addition to this, we are a reputable tour operator to book a chartered flight with AeroLink on your behalf.
Other activities besides canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi
Apart from canoeing, an exploration of Lake Bunyonyi will provide plenty of other exciting activities. These include the following.
Birding tours
Lake Bunyonyi being a birding hotspot offers a chance to spot at least 200 bird species that have been recorded here. A guided birding tour at Lake Bunyonyi can be done while canoeing, on a nature walk, while cycling, and also in the swampy areas. Among the birds you might encounter are the hadada ibis, common bulbul, African harrier hawk, African openbill stock, black heron, grey crowned crane, grey shrike, pied kingfisher, speckled mousebird, great cormorant, long-crested eagle, cattle egret, swampy flycatcher, and black-headed weaver.
Guided Nature Walk
Enjoy a guided nature walk around Lake Bunyonyi to get excellent sights of the surrounding terraced hills, tranquil waters, and singing birds. Wear your comfortable shoes and wide-brimmed hat to walk on the rugged grounds as you make your way along the lake shores, on the Islands and forests around. You can also get a nature walk to have views of the various Islands so that you get a deeper understanding of their history, wildlife, and importance among the people who live on and around Lake Bunyonyi.
Mountain biking
This is a great chance to experience the serene Lake Bunyonyi and its surrounding scenery by riding a mountain bicycle on the rugged hills. This guided experience will offer unique perspectives of the destination, meet local people, spot birds, and get views of trees, gardens, and Lake Bunyonyi. Other activities to enjoy include zip-lining, sightseeing, a tour of the 29 Islands floating on Lake Bunyonyi, swimming, and interactions with the indigenous people, including the Batwa and the Bakiiga people.
