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

Welcome to our piece of article where you will get to know about all possible things to in Lake Bunyonyi after Ruhija gorilla trek. Are you planning to trek habituated mountain gorillas in Ruhija, Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park and after visit lake Bunyonyi? If so, below are the top things to do in Lake Bunyonyi after Ruhija gorilla trek outlined by our top and well trusted safari designers but before we indulge ourselves in things to do in Lake Bunyonyi after gorilla trekking experience in Rushija, we need to first educate ourselves about Lake Bunyonyi and Ruhija side of Bwindi impenetrable National Park.

About Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi is located in Kabale District southwestern Uganda and it is believed to be the deepest lake in Uganda and second deepest Lake in East Africa. From Kabale town, you drive for about 30 minutes on a dusty road the lake.  East Africa is made up of 6 countries of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania and Southern Sudan. It derives its name from SMALL BIRDS which as referred to as BUNYONYI in RUKIGA.  These small birds are normally seen on the lake due to the kind of vegetation as well as food available for them. Lake Bunyony has so many islands and Cray fish among other fish species can be got here.  According to geography, Lake Bunyonyi was formed as a result of Lava damning which blocked one of the rivers flowing in the valley to form this lake which came to be known as Lake Bunyonyi. There so many things to do in Lake Bunyony after your Ruhija gorilla trek and Encounter Africa safaris is ready and able to assist in identifying all interesting things to do in Bunyonyi after your gorilla trekking experience in Ruhija.

Sample Bwindi gorilla tours that could take you to Ruhija

2 Day gorilla tour from Kigali

3 Day double gorilla trekking from Kigali

3 Day gorilla trekking safari from Entebbe

5 Day gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari

5 Day gorilla and wildlife viewing safari

8 Day gorilla, wildlife and chimpanzee safari

11 Day gorillas, wildlife, boat and chimpanzee safari

About Ruhija region of Bwindi impenetrable National Park

Bwindi impenetrable National Park is one of the four parks that is home to the rare mountain gorillas. According to the current census, Bwindi impenetrable National Park is believed to be home to almost half the number of mountain gorillas there is in the whole world. Ruhija is one of the four mountain gorilla regions in Bwindi impenetrable National parks that can be visited or gorilla trekking. There about four habituated mountain gorillas in Ruhija region including Butukura, Kyaguriro among others. Ruhija region is located in the eastern side of Bwindi impenetrable National Park and can be easily accessed from Kampala, Mbarara to Kabale onwards to the forest. Ruhija region is close to Kabale district/town and one can stay at Lake Bunyonyi and be able to trek mountain gorillas in Ruhija region. Before or after your gorilla trek, there activities that one can engage in while at or around the lake. Below are some of the things to do in Lake Bunyonyi after gorilla trekking in Ruhija region of Bwindi impenetrable National Park.

Things to do in Lake evening after Ruhija gorilla trek experience

Batwa Cultural Experience at Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi is a home to the traditional Batwa pygmies. When Mgahinga and Bwindi impenetrable National Parks where gazzatted as National Parks, some of the Batwa group of Bantu people decided to take refuge in Kabale. On the Batwa cultural experience tour around Lake Bunyonyi you will be guided by one of the Batwa guides giving you an opportunity to learn about traditional life of the Batwa, you will also enjoy the traditional dances of the Batwa and Stone Age practices including making traditional fire among others.

Nature hike and community walks

The Nature walk is done around Lake Bunyonyi and on the islands, it is a very exciting activity to do after your gorilla trek say in the evening. This will take you through the villages on the islands and local communities, great for sightseeing and cultural experience encounters. On your community walk, you are likely to visit a traditional herbalist, a typical bakiga homestead to learn more about their lifestyle, as well as a school. A well designed community trail is available and starts with a canoe ride to and from the community/islands. For more information about community and village walks as part of things to do in Bunyonyi after your gorilla trek in Ruhija, please contact Encounter Africa safaris and we will advise you accordingly.

Swimming at Lake Bunyonyi

Swimming in Lake Bunyonyi is one of the best activities to chill and relax at Lake Bunyonyi after your gorilla trek in Ruhija. Lake Bunyonyi is a Hippo-Crocodile-Bilharzia free lake making it great for swimmers to swim comfortably. However, given the fact it is the second deepest lake in Africa you ought to be a good swimmer to swim in it. Most of the swimming that takes place at the lake are done at own risk.  At Encounter Africa safaris, safety of our clients is our number one priority and we will only advise you on swimming in Lake Bunyonyi if you are an expert swimmer or with the help of divers and experts. For details please contact us.

Birding

Lake Bunyonyi is one the best birding spots in Uganda and a home to an impressive 200 species. After your gorilla trek in Ruhija you can go birding on one of the 29 islands on Lake Bunyonyi and combine it with a dugout canoe or motorized boat adventure giving you a great chance to see birds on the lake banks and islands. We recommend you carry your birding book in case you have limited safari time and you will identify some birds that visit the gardens of your Lodge during your stay on Lake Bunyonyi. Some of the bird species to sight include Grauer’s (African Green) Broadbill, the beautiful Regal Sunbird, and Archer’s Robin-Chat, Black Goshawk, Augur Buzzard, Crowned Hawk-Eagle, Handsome Francolin, Olive (Rameron) Pigeon, Bronze-winged Pigeon, Black-billed, Ruwenzori, and Ross’s Turaco, African, Barred Long-tailed, and African Emerald Cuckoos, Red-chested Owlet, Narina and Bar-tailed Trogons, Black and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters, Blue-throated Roller, White-headed Wood hoopoe, Gray-throated, Double-toothed, and Yellow-spotted Barbets, Western and Yellow-ramped Tinker bird, Thick-billed and Dwarf Honeyguides, Rufous-necked Wryneck, Tullberg’s, Speckle-breasted, Elliot’s, and Olive Woodpeckers, African Broadbill, Rock Martin, Black Saw-wing, Gray and Pettit’s Cuckoo-Shrike, Ansorge’s, Kaka mega and Cabanis’ Greenbuls, White-tailed Ant-Thrush, Kivu Ground-Thrush, Olive and Mountain Thrushes, Red-throated Alethe, Chubb’s Cist cola, Banded Prinia, Ruwenzori, Black-throated, and Black-faced Apalis, Olive-green Camaroptera, Grauer’s Warbler, Cinnamon and Black-faced Bracken-Warblers, Mountain Yellow Warbler, White-browed Crombec, Short-tailed Warbler and Red-faced Woodland-Warbler among others.

Mountain Bicycle riding

After your gorilla trek you can ride around the lake on a mountain bike and enjoy the scenery, the local communities and people in the villages surrounding the lake. This gives you an opportunity to feel and enjoy the real Africa as you ride through the villages. Bicycles for hire are readily available for hire and come with a local English-speaking guide who will ride with you and readily show you around. This activity can be done before or after your gorilla trek and it does not have to be pre-booked.

Exploring the Islands and Research

Lake Bunyonyi has 29 Islands to discover and these can be visited using a motorized boat or dugout canoes. You will have an opportunity to deeply learn about each island its history and what to see on the island. Each single Island on this lake has its unique and rich history including the famous punishment island. According to the Bakiga, all girls who would be impregnated before official marriage would be exiled on this island and left to die there. All this information among others will be explained to you by your assigned local guide.

Boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi

This is another interesting activity to do on Lake Bunyonyi after your gorilla trek in Ruhija, the boat ride is done either in a motorized boat or a dugout canoe, this takes you to the historical islands including the famous Akampene Island also known as the Punishment Island. On this Island you will learn why it is named the Punishment Island, traditionally the Bakiga People would take teenage mothers/pregnant girls to the Punishment Island and abandon them there to nature until they die as a punishment for having sex and getting pregnant at a young age.  It would be a big event meant to frighten other girls into abstaining from sex outside of marriage and causing the loss of the Bride’s Price for the family.

Local community visits

Local community visits through local villages which provide insights into the lives of the Bakiga and Batwa pygmy people living beside the Bwindi forest. Other activities done at Lake Bunyonyi include Zip lining, yoga at the Lodge, volunteering which is done in the local community schools and projects also Butterfly watching which is done at night among others.

Where to stay on Lake Bunyonyi after your gorilla trek in Ruhija

Lake Bunyonyi is one of the popular places for Tourists in Uganda and because of this, may Lodges have been constructed around the lake to provide rooms for the ever-increasing number of tourists visiting this place. Lake Bunyonyi has a variety of Lodges of all categories including Luxury, Mid-Range and Luxury. Lodges and Hotels to stay in at Lake Bunyonyi after your gorilla trek in Ruhija include Bird Nest Resort, Acadia Lodge, Crater Bay Lodge, Bunyonyi Overland Resort, Rock Resort and Hawker’s Eye Lodge among others.  Encounter Africa safaris has a long standing working relationship with most Hotels and lodges around Lake Bunyonyi and we are in position to advise you on which lodge or hotel to book. We are also in position to negotiate for you great deals. Please contact Encounter Africa safaris for details.

What is the best time to visit Lake Bunyonyi?

Lake Bunyonyi just like any other part of Uganda can be visited all year round. Kabel being on a high altitude, most of the months tend to be cold and drier months include June, July, August, September, December, January and February. All our tours to Ruhija that spend overnights in Lodges around lake Bunyonyi are mindful of all weather regimes.

How to get to Lake Bunyonyi after your Gorilla trek in Ruhija

Accessing Lake Bunyonyi by Road;

Lake Bunyonyi can be accessed through the main road from Ruhija to Kabale-Kisoro Highway and then connect to Lake Bunyonyi. You will pass through Kabale town and proceed to your lodge at Lake Bunyonyi.  From Ruhija to Lake Bunyonyi is about one and a half hours drive on a rough road and a 4×4 vehicle is recommended. The Lake can also be accessed from Kigali, Rwanda which is approximately 4-5 hours’ drive. If coming from Kigali, we advise you consider passing via Katuna-boarder crossing where you will then drive to Kabale town onwards to Lake Bunyonyi for you activities and overnight.

Accessing Lake Bunyonyi by Air

You can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala’s Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip to access Lake Bunyonyi. Scheduled and chartered flights are available and operated by domestic airline operators of Aero link and Fly Uganda. You will need to plan with your tour operator for a transfer from the airstrip to your Lodge you have booked for your stay. There two possible airstrips you can use to fly from Entebbe to Lake Bunyonyi. From Entebbe you can charter or take a scheduled flight landing at Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrip. If you land in Kihihi, you will drive approximately two and a half hours through the forest from the north to the eastern part of Bwindi impenetrable National park where Ruhija is located. Then another one hour to Kabale. If you fly to Kisoro Airstrip, you will also drive to Lake Bunyonyi for about 2-3 hours. By choosing to fly, you would have reduced on a long drive which is normally 9-10 hours. For more information about flights available, please contact Encounter Africa safaris on email or phone.

Why book your activities at Lake Bunyonyi after your gorilla trek in Ruhija with Encounter Africa Safaris?

Encounter Africa Safaris will help you book all the activities you are interested in doing during your stay on Lake Bunyonyi after your gorilla trek in Ruhija contact us and we advise you on the booking process. We as well have different gorilla safari packages to Ruhija sector of Bwindi ranging from budget, mid-range to luxury options that we can book for you including the gorilla habituation permits. Feel free to check out our trip advisor reviews and read from a community of happy satisfied clients. With us, you can rest assured of a memorable Uganda safari holiday. We are devoted to providing excellent service and customer satisfaction. Our team of excellent tour consultants is always willing to help answer all your safari questions. We guarantee you a great gorilla tour in Bwindi and your stay at Lake Bunyonyi with us.