Lake Bunyonyi
Everything Uganda
Lake Bunyonyi sits in the Kigezi Highlands of south-western Uganda, near the Rwandan border — a vast crater-studded lake ringed by steep, terraced hills that have earned the region the nickname 'Africa's Switzerland.' At an estimated depth exceeding 900 metres in places, it is widely considered Africa's second-deepest lake. Its name, meaning 'place of many little birds' in the local Rukiga language, hints at the rich birdlife found along its 29 islands and forested shores.
What sets Bunyonyi apart from almost every other lake in Uganda is what it doesn't have: no hippos, no crocodiles, and no risk of bilharzia. This makes it the only major lake in the country genuinely safe for swimming — a rare and welcome stretch of pure relaxation on a Uganda itinerary that otherwise revolves around forests, savannahs, and wildlife. For travellers combining gorilla trekking in Bwindi with a few days to unwind, Bunyonyi is the natural choice — just two to three hours away.
What to Do
Swimming — one of the only lakes in Uganda safe for swimming, free of hippos, crocodiles, and bilharzia.
Canoeing — traditional dugout canoe trips between the islands, often guided by local paddlers.
Island visits — 29 islands dot the lake, including Punishment Island (with a sobering local history), Akampene, and Bwama Island, home to a leprosy hospital founded in the early 20th century.
Birdwatching — over 200 species recorded around the lake's shores and wetland margins.
Community and cultural visits — engaging with the Bakiga communities who farm the dramatic terraced hillsides surrounding the lake.
Hiking — trails along the ridgelines above the lake, with sweeping views across the water and surrounding volcanic landscape.
Key Facts
Estimated depth: over 900 metres in places — widely cited as Africa's second-deepest lake.
29 islands, several with their own distinct history and character.
Located near Kabale town, approximately 2–3 hours from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park — the natural rest stop before or after gorilla trekking.
Getting there: 7–8 hours from Kampala by road (440km), or combined into a south-western Uganda circuit with Bwindi and Mgahinga.
Best time to visit: year-round — the lake's appeal is its calm, and the climate stays mild and temperate throughout the year due to the high elevation.