Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mutanda
Two mirror-like lakes in the jungle of the Southwest. One with no less than 29 islands scattered across its surface, the other reflecting the majestic volcanoes of Congo.
What is Lake Bunyonyi?
Tucked away deep in the Southwest of Uganda, surrounded by the green mountains and volcanoes of the Rwandan and Congolese border, we find two beautiful lakes nestled in the jungle: Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mutanda.
Roughly translated, Bunyonyi means 'place of many little birds'... This is enough to entice any bird lover! On this lake, you’ll find 29 islands where you can sleep in the most beautiful accommodations and hike to stunning viewpoints. How do you get from one island to the other? In a hollowed-out tree trunk, of course! With a paddle in your hand, you’ll drift over the mirror-smooth water between the green islands. For a real adventure, embark on a multi-day canoe trip around the lake. Sleep with island residents among chickens and Ugandan children learning to swim. You can alternate canoeing with a vigorous hike along the Rwandan-Ugandan border. The view over the rolling hills, terraces, and Lake Bunyonyi is one you won't want to miss.
Where do you stay
At Lake Bunyonyi, you can choose from a wide range of accommodations: all beautiful, all by the water. Spread along the shore or on the islands, there is a great variety of lodges, resorts, and homestays, with options to suit every budget. Sleep on wooden platforms with views of the lake or in cosy homestays.
You can also opt to stay in one of the resorts. Spacious safari tents where you can hear the sounds of the jungle at night and enjoy your morning coffee on the veranda. The water in these lakes is crystal-clear and clean, so swimming is a must! It’s the perfect place to stay for a few days to relax.
The Canoe Trek
Island-hopping in a canoe: who wouldn’t want that? Pack your things and sleep on a different island every night. With a paddle in hand, you’ll drift over the mirror-smooth water between the green islands. Stay at Tom’s Homestay for the full island experience. Prepare for a freshly caught dinner, campfires, tall tales, and a personal tour by the now-famous Tom on his island. At Tom’s, you get a glimpse into the local life of the islanders on Lake Bunyonyi. You can also stay at one of the resorts—spacious safari tents where you hear the jungle sounds at night and drink your coffee on the veranda in the morning. The water is crystal-clear and clean: perfect for swimming!
You can alternate canoeing with a challenging hike along the Rwandan-Ugandan border. The view over the rolling hills, terraces, and Lake Bunyonyi is one not to be missed. If you have a passion for birds, be sure to bring your binoculars! After all, Bunyonyi means ‘place of many little birds,’ and the colourful birds will practically fly right past you!
Lake Mutanda
Another incredible nearby lake is Lake Mutanda. There’s a bit less to do here compared to Lake Bunyonyi, but it’s just as beautiful (and maybe even more so). The lake lies at the foot of the Virunga mountains, a range of eight volcanoes, nearly all dormant. They mark the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These mountains are covered with dense jungle and are home to the mountain gorillas of Uganda and Congo!
Three of the eight Virunga volcanoes are located in Mgahinga National Park. You can do fairly intense hikes here. Charlie once climbed Mount Gahinga in the distant past. It’s the smallest of the three, but don’t be fooled! It’s a full day of climbing, panting, puffing, and sweating! But the view was 100% worth it. Plus, there’s a (small) chance you might just stumble upon those expensive gorillas for free!
Discover South-West Uganda
A true African gem: the country with 41.5 million inhabitants is known for its beauty. Endless landscapes with mountains, hills, forests, and lots. of. green. After the dictatorial regime of Idi Amin, it has fully flourished. The vibrant capital, Kampala, is stunning and a great addition to the Lake to Lake Tour!
Deeply tucked away in the southwest of Uganda, surrounded by the green mountains and volcanoes on the Rwandan and Congolese borders, we find two beautiful lakes nestled in the jungle: Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mutanda. One with no less than 29 islands scattered across its surface, the other reflecting the majestic volcanoes of Congo. At these two lakes, many tourists come to bathe, hike, kayak, or finally finish reading their book. But with our self-developed Lake to Lake tour, we experience these two lakes in a way that no other traveller does!
Crater Lakes
Fort Portal is a charming little African town (with a delicious Italian pizzeria that bakes stone oven pizzas, and even a restaurant that serves Dutch croquettes! In case you can’t quite let go of your roots). The green hills surrounding Fort Portal are dotted with the Crater Lakes. Around the tropical Crater Lakes, you'll find small farms and rows upon rows of banana trees. Lake Nkuruba is considered by many to be the ‘most beautiful.’ And honestly, it’s true. The small lake is hidden in thick jungle where monkeys fly around you.
The best – and most fun – way to visit the lakes is on the back of a motorbike. Whether in a large group or with family, hop on with experienced riders and race through the Ugandan hill country! There are few lakes in (East) Africa where you can swim carelessly, but the Crater Lakes are wonderful, rare swimming gems. Perfect for ending a day of biking or hiking with an ice-cold drink and a refreshing dip in the clear water!
Rwenzori Mountains
In the background of the green hills rises the majestic Rwenzori Mountains. This impressive mountain range forms the border between Uganda and DRC. The Rwenzori Mountains are not very well-known, and the mountain range is overshadowed by the bigger brothers Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro. Quite unfairly! Mount Stanley, in the Rwenzori Mountains, is the fourth highest mountain in Africa and is only 90 metres lower than the highest peak of number 2, Mount Kenya. Additionally, the Rwenzori Mountains have six of the ten highest mountains on the African continent, and the largest glacier coverage! Yes, glaciers, you read that correctly.
For raw, pure, and off-the-beaten-track mountaineering, the Rwenzori Mountains are a true gem. You won't encounter anyone and will be surrounded only by the stunning nature. Did you know that the Rwenzori is home to a lot of rare alpine vegetation, and that you pass through many diverse landscapes while climbing? From dense rainforests to bamboo forests, to giant heathlands, and snow-capped peaks.
On your bike
Motorbikes are THE way to go in Africa, and although we had some motor trips planned in Kenya, ‘The Pearl of Africa’ had been a bit left behind. Until now! Together with the reliable guide Katto (a particularly cheerful man who claims he can hike through all of South Uganda blindfolded and backwards), you’ll ride your own motorbike on the Lake to Lake tour, travelling from one lake to the next: an incredible journey! The route takes you everywhere: from newly paved mountain passes to small trails along the lakes. You’ll pass through rainforests, forests, a million villages, and some unforgettable viewpoints!
The trip lasts two days, and each day, you’ll ride through forests. You’ll travel along paths with 30-metre-high trees on the Rwanda border, or zoom through areas so densely forested that you can no longer feel the sun shining. Riding through the forest has almost a mystical quality.
The route
On day 1, you’ll head towards Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. As the name suggests, it’s impenetrable. We won’t go through it, but we will enjoy the view from a nearby viewpoint! This forest is home to around 350 mountain gorillas, out of the only 800 in the world! Besides the forest, you’ll see mountains everywhere you look. A mountain is only considered a mountain when it rises above 2000 metres, and even then, it’s still a small mountain. For comparison, Mont Ventoux reaches just over 1900 metres. You can imagine the reaction when I mentioned that the highest hill in the Netherlands is only 322 metres high!
Along this route, the Muhavura Mountain will be in sight the whole time. On day two, you’ll ride along a brand new mountain pass with the Ranger Mountains to your right: four large mountains, with the last two located in Congo. With mountains on the right and Lake Bunyonyi on the left, you’ll ascend, and then zoom down on smooth asphalt through a rainforest. Again, there’s an unmissable viewpoint: the view from this spot is what led Churchill to call Uganda ‘the Pearl of Africa’.
In addition to rainforests, mountains, and forests, this entire journey is, of course, centred around lakes. You’ll start and finish at Lake Bunyonyi, a crater lake with many small islands. It’s one of the deepest lakes in the world, with a depth of more than 900 metres. Your journey ends at this lake at Byoona Amagara. The best way to explore the 29 islands of Lake Bunyonyi is by canoe (or rather, a hollowed-out log). You can alternate canoeing with a challenging hike along the Rwandan-Ugandan border. From here, you’ll enjoy views over rolling hills, terraces, and, of course, Lake Bunyonyi!
Before this, you’ll first stay overnight at Lake Mutanda. You’ll ride along the edge of Lake Mulehe, the smaller sister of Lake Mutanda, where you can take a refreshing dip during your lunch break. In the evening, you’ll pitch your tent and sleep by the edge of this beautiful lake. Swimming, eating, visiting a local school, or just relaxing — the choice is yours!
It’s an invaluable experience: riding your own motorbike through Uganda, swimming in lakes, sitting by the campfire in the evenings, riding through and along rainforests, all surrounded by towering mountains. An adventurous and unforgettable experience!
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Charlie's way of traveling
1. Africa is our home
We know it from the farthest corners, and that results in amazing trips. We put them together by venturing out there ourselves. Believe us, you won't find these experiences anywhere else!
2. Local experiences
That means you'll visit local people in their villages and communities. Hike with the Masai, cook with your host family in a homestay, and cast a line with traditional fishermen.
3. You decide
So, what are you in the mood for? We'll custom-tailor the entire trip to your wishes. And you can count on us along the way, even in the middle of the night night.
4. Travel responsibly
While you enjoy your dream trip, you'll be contributing to the development of local communities, economies, and the environment. That feels good!
