Things to do at Lake Bunyonyi after gorilla trekking in Ruhija

What are the top things to do at Lake Bunyonyi after gorilla trekking in Ruhija Bwindi impenetrable forest national park? Yes, you could enjoy the gorilla trekking and thereafter move to Lake Bunyonyi which is located on the southern side of Ruhija sector. A visit to Lake Bunyonyi from Ruhija will give you an opportunity to take part in the different activities that are done on and around the lake. These include community visits, biking, birding, canoeing, and zip-lining among others as well shall explain in this article.

About Ruhija sector

Ruhija sector is one of the regions in the famous Bwindi gorilla ark that harbors the highest population of mountain gorillas. Ruhija sector is home to quite a number of mountain gorillas that are seen in different families that have been habituated in this region. Ruhija sector is home to gorilla families such as Bitukura gorilla family, Kyaguliro gorilla family, Mukiza gorilla family, and Oruzogo gorilla families.

Gorilla trekking is the most done activity in the Ruhija region and this is done on all the 4 gorilla families that are habituated in the park. Gorilla trekking in this region starts early in the morning and only those with valid gorilla trekking permits are allowed to be part of the activity. Gorilla trekking involves going through different trekking trails with ranger guides leading you till you meet the gorilla group. When the gorilla family is located, the trekkers are given 1 hour to be around the family and this gives them an opportunity to learn about their habits, take photos and watch them do daily activities.

About Lake Bunyonyi

and the second biggest in the whole of Africa, In Uganda, the lake is found in the southwestern part of the country between Kisoro and Kabale districts. What makes the lake popular are the 29 islands most especially the Akampena island where girls that got pregnant before marriage were taken to starve and die. The lake is surrounded by lush green terraced hills and different homesteads of which some are home to the Batwa pygmies. The lake is the best place to go have a relaxation enjoying the cool fresh waters from the deepest lake, spot different birds, and have a good view of the surrounding places.

Zip lining on top of lake Bunyonyi

Activities to do in Lake Bunyonyi after gorilla trekking in Ruhija

Visit Batwa community: After gorilla trekking in Ruhija region, travelers can visit the Batwa people that settled in areas around Lake Bunyonyi after the government evicted them from the national parks. The Batwa cultural tour around the lake takes you through Echuya forest where the local guides show you different plants used as local medicine. The tour takes you to some of their home where you get an opportunity to interact with them, taste their local foods, watch dances and drama, and have good views of the lake.

Swimming: Swimming is one of the activities to do at Lake Bunyonyi after a long day of trekking mountain gorillas in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi. The lake is free from dangerous animals such as crocodiles, and hippos and it’s also bilharzia free. Swimming at Lake Bunyonyi is done in enclosed places that are not so deep and safe for humans.

Boat cruise: After Ruhija gorilla trekking, travelers can visit Lake Bunyonyi and take a boat to Nyombe swamp which is situated at the extreme end of the lake. A visit to Nyombe swamp will give an opportunity to spot most of the birds that live around Lake Bunyonyi of which some are not found elsewhere else in the country. Birds to see at Nyombe swamp include African harrier hawk, pied kingfisher, bronzy sunbird, malachite kingfishers, black heron, fan-tailed widow bird, streaky seed eater, golden-backed weaver, great cormorant, hadada ibis, fan-tailed widow bird, grey crowned crested crane, and black heron among others.

Bike cycling: Mountain bike cycling at Lake Bunyonyi takes you around different communities, towns, people’s farms, and much more. The activity is done to enable travelers to explore the area and get a chance to interact with the local people that are found on the roadside and in the communities. Bike cycling gives tourists an opportunity to explore different hills of Kigezi with a help of a guide who knows the routes to use.

Visiting islands: Tourists from Ruhija sector of Bwindi can visit Lake Bunyonyi to explore the islands on canoes. Lake Bunyonyi is comprised of 29 islands that have different names and histories. Some of the islands are homes of local people and you will get an opportunity to interact with them. The most famous island on Lake Bunyonyi is Akampena because it used to be a place where girls that got pregnant before marriage were taken to starve and die in isolation. Other islands on Lake Bunyonyi include Bacuranuka island, Bwama island, Bushara island, Njuyeera island, Itambira island, and Kahungye island among others.

Zip lining: Zip lining is one of the most done activities at Lake Bunyonyi by tourists from Ruhija gorilla trekking in Bwindi. The zip-lining activity is done travelers that stay at Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort allowing tourists to swing on top of the waters. The strong ropes are connected between trees on the different shores of the lake and participants do swing from one side to another. The zip-lining activity allows travelers to have great views of the surrounding areas, local people, and calm waters.

Bird watching: Birding watching activities on Lake Bunyonyi are done on the shores of the lake and in forested areas around the lake. Birders visiting Lake Bunyonyi can move with their binoculars, camera, and waterproof shoe to move around the lake to look for different bird species. Notable birds around Lake Bunyonyi include malachite kingfisher, pin tailed whyder, slender-billed baglafetch, grey crowned cranes, white-tailed blue monard, African harrier hawk, levillant cuckoo, cardinal woodpecker, golden-backed weaver, and egrets among others.