You must visit this destination when you travel to Uganda – Lake Bunyonyi

It’s amazing! I’ve visited there two times, and I plan to go back the next time I visit Uganda. Lake Bunyonyi, also dubbed the Place of Many Little Birds, is a large lake located in the southwestern part of Uganda and has a rich history. The lake is made up of 29 islands, and we’ll talk more about one of them later in the blog.

There’s so many things to do in and around the Lake. The second time I went there, my Wife and I only had one day there to spare, as we were about to go back from our honeymoon, and the lake was one of the best memories that we have shared.

During my second trip, I had the chance to go on a boat ride on the lake, and it was truly incredible! I paid 150,000 UGX (which is roughly $40) after negotiating down from about 300,000 UGX. We found a local tour guide as soon as we got there that was standing by the shore waiting for customers, and we hopped on a boat to explore the stunning islands all over the lake. While we cruised around, our guide shared some really interesting stories about the area. We also stopped at several islands, where we hiked to the other side to catch the boat again, when the driver had moved to a different spot.

One of the Islands that we got to see was the Akampene Island. Akampene, also called The Punishment Island is a tiny island that has a strange and kind of sad history. Long ago, it was a place where women who got pregnant without being married were sent as a form of punishment. Back then, society looked down on these situations a lot. The women were left alone on the island to take care of themselves, without food. Their families thought this was a way to punish them for what they did. A lot of women that were left there died due to starvation or drowning when they tried to reach land; swimming skills wasn’t common.

As our boat trip, which lasted over two hours, was coming to an end, we asked the driver to drop us off at a hotel by the shore. We spent the last few hours there enjoying a cold Nile before making our way back to our hotel in Kabale.

How to get there ?

It’s a long distance from Kampala (Sweaty Emoticon), so based on your budget, you could either get a tour guide and rent a car or take a bus from Kampala Bus Terminal to Kabale Town, and then hop on a Boda to reach Lake Bunyonyi. When I visited the first time, I chose the first option, but the second time, my wife and I took a bus and then a boda to reach the lake. The second option was definitely cheaper and felt more adventurous!

Lake Bunyonyi is in or near

• Kabale Town

Final Thoughts

Thinking back on my time at Lake Bunyonyi brings a smile to my face. Each visit has deepened my appreciation for its beauty and rich history. Our honeymoon trip was especially memorable. Taking a peaceful boat ride among the 29 islands was a wonderful experience, but it also reminded me of Akampene Island’s touching history. This place beautifully blends the joys of nature with significant historical moments, making it truly one of a kind. As I look ahead to my next adventure in Uganda, I know Lake Bunyonyi will always have a special spot in my heart, calling me back for more exploration and new stories to discover.