Birding Lake Bunyonyi
Birding Lake Bunyonyi is one of the best tourism activities done at the dotted and beautiful lake in Uganda. This lake is considered to be the second deepest lake in Africa behind Lake Tanganyika. Some people even argue that it could be the deepest in Africa but because of the erosion in the area, that keeps making its depth vary with time. There has also been little research about its depth in recent times. The lake has a recorded depth of 900meters.
Lake Bunyonyi is located is the south western district of Kabale. It is believed to have been formed as a result of volcanic eruption that blocked a river that was meandering through the hills. The river was blocked and the water accumulated into the vent of the volcanic activity.
The last about 29 islands and the biggest is the Bwamba Island also known as the “Leper’s Colony”. The smallest island is the “Punishment Island” and the locals here used it as a spot to drop off unmarried girls that got pregnant. They would be left here to starve to death. Unlike other lakes, this lake has no Bilharzia infections, due to the depth it has no hippos and no crocodiles. There otter in these waters and they are not dangerous.
Birding Lake Bunyonyi
“Bunyonyi” means Birds or small bird or someone can call it a place of birds according the locals. The area boosts of over 200 bird species recorded both from the islands and the main land. Some of the common birds here are; pied kingfisher, Malachite kingfisher, Black heron, Bronzy sun bird, Knobed coot. Very rara, Pied wagtail, Black clake, Common stone chat, Great cormorant, Fan tailed widow bird, Streaky seed eater, Speckled mouse bird, Pin tailed whyder, Cinnamon chested bee-eater, Grey shrike, Grey crowned crested crane, Hadada ibis, Swamp fly catcher, Bronze manikin, Black headed weaver.
Other activities you can do around Lake Bunyonyi other than birding are; bamboo walks, camping, cultural walks, spot fishing, canoe and boat rides
Getting To Lake Bunyonyi for birding
One can access Lake Bunyonyi via Kampala or Kigali. This shortest route is via Kigali as it takes about 4 hours while from Kampala it will take you about 8 to 9 hours.
You can also charter a flight from Entebbe or Kajjansi to Kabale or from Kigali to Kabale.
