How to add Lake Bunyonyi to your itinerary

Want to learn how to add Lake Bunyonyi to your itinerary? Trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the most meaningful wildlife activities in Africa. However, the trek is physically demanding and can feel tiring because it involves hiking on steep forest slopes.

A good way to rest after the trek is to add a visit to Lake Bunyonyi. The lake is close to Bwindi and can be reached by a short drive. Adding Lake Bunyonyi gives travelers time to recover, think about the gorilla experience, and enjoy a calm environment in Uganda.

Below is a simple way to include Lake Bunyonyi in your itinerary.

Day 1: Gorilla Trekking

Travelers wake up early in the morning and head for gorilla trekking in either Bwindi or Mgahinga. The day starts with a briefing at the park headquarters. Visitors are then divided into groups of eight people per gorilla family. The trek can take between 30 minutes and six hours. After the trek, tourists return to their lodge to rest.

Day 2: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

In the morning, travelers drive to Lake Bunyonyi. The journey usually takes about one hour. The rest of the day is spent at the lake, enjoying quiet time on the water and around the lodge.

Day 3: Relaxation and Departure

After breakfast, travelers depart for Entebbe or Kigali, depending on their travel plans.

Activities at Lake Bunyonyi

Canoeing: Lake Bunyonyi has calm waters. Visitors can rent a canoe and move around the lake to see some of its islands, including Punishment Island and Sharp Island.
Swimming: The lake is free from bilharzia, which makes swimming safe. Visitors can swim and cool off during the day.
Bird Watching: Lake Bunyonyi is home to more than 200 bird species. Common birds seen around the lake include kingfishers, the grey crowned crane, and the African harrier hawk.
Community Walks: Visitors can take guided walks to nearby communities and learn about local life and culture, including visits that explain the history of the Batwa people.

Adding Lake Bunyonyi to your itinerary after gorilla trekking gives travelers time to rest and enjoy a calm setting by the water.