This 3-day budget-friendly Uganda holiday takes you to the beautiful tropical waters of Lake Bunyonyi – an ideal place for relaxing and chilling as well as a great place for adventure activities such as boat rides, swimming, canoe riding, bird watching, visiting Batwa pygmies, local markets, hiking and mountain biking, etc.

Many tourists and travelers who undertake a Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or come to Uganda after their Rwanda Gorilla safari experience rest and relax at the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi.

The tour begins and ends in Kampala, Entebbe, or Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. Lake Bunyonyi (which means a “place of many little birds”) is located in South Western Uganda between Kisoro and Kabale near the Rwandan border and is positioned 450 km (7 hours) from Kampala. The lake is a 100 km (2 hours) drive from Kigali.

Lake Bunyonyi is about 25 km long, 7 km wide, and 35,000 feet deep putting it top of the list as the deepest Lake in East Africa. The lake is surrounded by steep Kigezi terraced hills, and lush green vegetation and is conveniently located in a remote area that supplements the beautiful scenery with a quiet ambiance to chill out, hide away and enjoy the spoils of the perfect South-Western climate.

There is quite a lot to do while at Lake Bunyonyi, the top on the list being relaxing and chilling the entire time you are there. The view is calming and the activities adventurous, rest assured to leave this place rested and with a different view of the world.

Activities include worshipping the scenic landscapes from a hilltop, swimming, riding a canoe or motorboat around the lake, bird watching, hiking, and taking historic Uganda cultural tours to the Batwa (pygmies) and the Abaheesi (traditional blacksmiths) communities.

One could also go fishing, mountain climbing, biking, jogging, visit the local market, ziplining, enjoy a honeymoon holiday, barbeque at your resident lodge or tour some of the 29 islands on Lake Bunyonyi.

Safari Itinerary in Summary

Day 1: Kampala or Entebbe – Drive to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 2: Explore Lake Bunyonyi (Community Tour and Boat Ride)
Day 3: Lake Bunyonyi – Drive to Kampala or Entebbe

Safari Itinerary in Detail

Day 1: Kampala – Drive to Lake Bunyonyi

0700 Hours: After breakfast at your hotel in Kampala, our safari driver-guide will meet you for the start of your safari to Lake Bunyonyi via Mbarara to Kabale South Western Uganda. This will be an interesting 6-hour drive through three different types of vegetation.

The first two hours will take you through the typical tropical countryside with large swamps, Mpanga Forest, and the Equator. Here you will make a brief stop-over and stride through the northern and southern hemispheres! Thereafter, you will drive through the flat savannah country where you are likely to observe the famous long-horned Ankole cows.

1300 Hours: We shall make a lunch stop at Mbarara before continuing through the impressive hilly country of Kabale, popularly known as “the Switzerland of Uganda”, and arrive at Lake Bunyonyi, one of the deepest lakes in the world, in the late afternoon.

This Lake is surrounded by steep mountains and dotted with small Islands among which is Ha’Buharo Island; your destination. We shall transport you with a motorboat to your lodge, a 25 minutes boat ride.

Accommodations
Budget Accommodation: Bushara Island camp, Byoona Amagara Island Retreat
Mid-range Accommodation Bunyonyi safari resort, Bunyonyi overland Cabins, Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort
Luxury Accommodation: Birdnest @ Bunyonyi Resort, Arcadia Cottages Bunyonyi

Meal Plan {Lunch & Dinner}

Day 2: Explore Lake Bunyonyi (Community Tour and Boat Ride)

0800 Hours: After breakfast, visit the distinctive Batwa and Abaheesi (blacksmiths) societies or the Bukora Cave.

1300 Hours: Have lunch at the resort and enjoy the afternoon on a boat ride, canoeing, or go for a cycling tour around the area. You also have the option of visiting the Orugano rain Forest which has diverse plants and animals or spending some time interacting with the Batwa (pygmies) community who inhabit parts of the forest and its surrounding areas.

Birders will treat themselves to well over 300 bird species recorded. Like Otters, pied kingfishers swallows among others. Alternatively, a full-day canoe trek on Bunyonyi will introduce you to the major islands and their rich history, but also to a traditional healer and a craft maker who lives on a peninsula with the most complete views of the 25-km long lake.

There will be some little energetic hiking but also great time spent in traditional dugout canoes. If you don’t go for a boat cruise you could opt for cycling around the area.

Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 3: Lake Bunyonyi – Drive to Kampala

After breakfast, start your trek back to Kampala. You will have a stop in Mbarara for lunch and the equator in case you want to buy anything to take home with you then proceed with your journey to Kampala arriving late afternoon.

Meal Plan {Breakfast & Lunch}