Waking up to the untamed experiences of Lake Nkuruba on a discovery and exploration journey tucked away under the dense canopies of tropical forests. Lake Nkuruba falls under the Lake Nkuruba Reserve that stretches for kilometers of straight woodland forests. Before the establishment of this reserve, the forest was under intense pressure of being totally wiped out after a series of deforestation befell the area. With the establishment of Lake Nkuruba Reserve, the forest area was protected as an ecological and wildlife reserve. Lake Nkuruba was, however, not affected by these negative changes of deforestation and stood tall through it all.
Lake Nkuruba was formed ten thousand years ago when the natural forces of volcanism took effect on the area of the lake today. This shaped the area differently as a huge crater was left after the volcanic activity was done. As time goes on and climatic changes evolve, this crater was filled up by rainfall, resulting in the formation of a permanent crater lake, which later came to be known as Lake Nkuruba. The Lake Nkuruba Reserve was established in 1991 after it was seen as beneficial to protect the biodiversity of this area. Lake Nkuruba is situated in the shadows of the endless Rwenzori ranges and stretches of the Kibale Forest.
The lake is located approximately 25 kilometers south of the nearest and biggest town around, Fort Portal. The falls in the western region of the country also form part of the 48 crater lakes series of this region. An exploration of Lake Nkuruba is a trip through the facts and specifics that form this lake and its significance. The lake continues to bridge between the forest and the shooting skyline of the Rwenzori ranges. This lake is indeed a spectacular marvel that can be interesting to explore.
Activities to be done at Lake Nkuruba
Several tourist activities can be done at Lake Nkuruba as visitors embark on an exploration journey. These activities include some of the following.
Primate encounters
The reserve that surrounds this lake also harbors different species of primates, with the notable ones being four, and some are even rare. These primates can be seen during a hiking experience or nature walk around the lake in the neighboring forest. Some of the primates to look out for include the endangered Uganda red colobus monkey, vervet monkey, black and white colobus monkey, and the red-tailed monkey. Through this natural walk, a primate encounter is close to an ensured encounter.
Camping
Camping is a common adventurous activity that is commonly done along the shores of Lake Nkuruba. This enticing adventure seeks to help visitors explore the lake’s endless gems found close to the lake. The lake also does not harbor dangerous animals like hippos and crocodiles, making it even safer for camping.
Bird watching
In the case of birding, Lake Nkuruba is an impressive birding destination, since there are several bird species housed around this lake. Birding or bird watching around this lake brings out the best species living here. To top it all off, a birding guide ensures that no bird species is left undiscovered. The trails along the shores of the lake also help in guiding the visitors to yet more undiscovered birding habitats. Visitors should keep their eyes peeled for various bird species, such as Klaas’s cuckoo, African pygmy kingfisher, the great blue turaco, African green pigeon, and the black-and-white- casqued broadbill, among others.
Hiking
Hiking along the designated trails offers incredible scenic views of the lake and its surroundings. The professional and experienced guide takes the visitors around the lake, keenly observing the surroundings for encounters like birds and primates. This hiking experience opens the visitor’s imagination after catching sight of the Rwenzori ranges. The evergreen extending tropical rainforest of Kibale National Park adds impressive views. This experience also gifts the visitors with natural sounds of the birds singing and chants from primates that run through the atmosphere as far as Kibale.
Cultural encounters
Enjoy culture at its best through entertainment from the locals with their traditional songs and dances. The communities living around this lake are of the Batooro origin and express their cultures through songs and dances that welcome visitors to their turf. Traditional and cultural crafts can also be observed on display for visitors to buy some as souvenirs.
The activities of Lake Nkuruba can also be added to the neighbour by adventures in other destinations like chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park. These visitors enjoy an hour of uninterrupted adventures in the presence of the chimpanzee primates. This is possible with the close proximity of the park to the lake.
Visitors can explore Lake Nkuruba as a stopover sight on the journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park has everything necessary for crafting an incredible experience for visitors, such as game drives, boat cruises, chimpanzee trekking at Kyambura Gorge, and more.
