A swimmer’s paradise, a bird watchers dream come true and a great place for those who like to be outdoors. Lake Bunyonyi is a great getaway destination.
Lake Bunyonyi is the deepest lake in Africa and the second deepest in the world, with locals saying the greatest depth is 900metres in some places. It one of the lakes in Uganda where swimmers are considered not at risk of bilharzia, a disease caused by parasites carried by snails.
The surrounding hillsides are said to look like the landscape described by JR Tolkien in his book The Lord of the Rings. The rolling hills have different shades of green, depending on what crop has been planted on them. Terraces of banana plantations, Irish potatoes and cassava dot the landscape.
With the beauty and availability of accommodation and food, Bunyonyi is fast becoming the destination for many backpackers and honeymooners. And these people on vacation are helping the local population.
There was a significant turning point and now nearly every resort, campsite or hotel on the lake is attached to the project to make its local community better.
Byoona Amagara, a tourist resort on Itambira Island, asks guests to donate shs 1,000 each, before touring the island. The money goes to the Itambira Island medical Fund. Since many of the walking trails cross local resident’s property, the Byoona Amagara staff wanted to use the money to help the community.
Across the lake, Bwama Island, the largest of all islands, is home to the widow’s garden project, an arm of the lake Bunyonyi Development Company. The widow’s gardens allow 85 widows from several sub-counties to farm, to get enough food for their families. Lake Bunyonyi Development Company hires land on behalf of the widows. The company also supports many projects using finances from Bushara Island Camp.
Other programmes include a school sponsorship programme, orphancare centers, agro-forestry, give-a-goat project, hospitality training, HIV/AIDS workshops, arts and crafts workshops and swimming lessons.
Originally a partnership between the Church of Uganda and ACTS, a Canadian aid organization, Lake Bunyonyi Development Company began giving tree seedlings to farmers to stop soil erosion. Currently, nearly all the hospitality workers at all the resorts around the lake owe their training to the company.
The first resort to benefit from hospitality training was Bushara Island Camp, which was begun as just a place to pitch a tent with small canteen providing simple meals.
According to Patrick Tumwijukye, the general manager of the lake Bunyonyi Development Company, Bushara Campsite, found at the center of Bushara Island, is the original place of little birds – the phrase that gave Bunyonyi its name.
Tumwijukye is proud to be part of a project in such a beautiful place that gives back to the community.
“We are unique in terms of community support,” he says.
Bunyonyi is developing in a way that will continue to be sustainable. And for the tourist looking to feast on the delicious freshwater crayfish, a specialty of the lake, helping out the community at the same time is pretty easy to stomach.
Getting there
There are regular buses from Kampala to Kabale (try Post Bus or Jaguar). From Kabale, it is a short trip via Rutinda on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi.
Where to Stay
Byoona Amagara; a great restaurant compliments rustic cabins and dorms. Many backpackers prefer the open air geodomes (mosquito nets available). Rates begin at shillings 1400.
Bushara Island Camp;
The Camp offers furnished safari tents, cabins and tree houses, in the place of little birds. Rates range from shillings 40,000 and above.
Bunyonyi Overland Resort; located on the mainland, around the corner from Rutinda market, this resort offers safari tents, chalets and twin rooms. Rates range from about shillings 30,000.
Things To Do
Bird watching
Lake Bunyonyi is a great place to see colonies of weavers as well as bigger birds such as herons, egrets, the grey crowned crane and the crested crane.
Island Hopping
Learn the history of the islands as you paddle or motor to visit them. Bwama Island was formerly the location of a leper colony, while unmarried pregnant girls were abandoned on Akampeine Island (Punishment Island) to either starve to death or be rescued by single men from neighboring villages.
Visiting the Batwa
The UK based Forest People’s Project, a charity that works to protect the rights of the Batwa people, can arrange for you a trip to the local Batwa village. Tour operators can also arrange these visits.
Shopping
For local produce including mud fish (for the brave) can be found at the Rutinda Market on Mondays and Fridays. The Kyevu Market can be visited on Wednesdays and Fridays when pygmies are selling their wares.
