Arcadia cottages Lake Bunyonyi Kabale – Activities around Lake Bunyonyi
Arcadia cottages Lake Bunyonyi Kabale – As the highest lodge on the hill the lodge overlooks the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi and all its many islands from all our cottages and main dinner area and bar.
Arcadia cottages Lake Bunyonyi has 25 cottages and each cottage overlooks the islands on Lake Bunyonyi. Each cottage is self-contained with a private deck for guests to enjoy the view in the comfort of their cottage.
Nestled in the extreme south western corner of Uganda, dotted with 29 islands and overlooked by rolling hills where local farmers grow their crops on steep terraces, Lake Bunyoni is one of Uganda’s most picturesque locations.
Lake Bunyonyi general information.
Believed to be the second deepest lake in Africa, Lake Bunyonyi is a body of water in southwestern Uganda near the Rwandan border, and one of the country’s top natural treasures. And, at 1,962m above sea level, the lake enjoys moderate temperatures year round, cool in both the mornings and evenings. Most visitors make it an R&R stop after gorilla trekking in nearby Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Lake Bunyonyi is framed by lush, green-terraced hills that reach a height of 2,200-2,478m, but it’s the 29 islands of various shapes and sizes scattered across the water that make it most magical. The name of the lake translates as the ‘place of little birds’ and it is indeed blessed with some 200 bird species including several varieties of weavers that nest by the lake shore and on the many islands. It is also probably the best place in Uganda to spot otters.
The lake is about 900m deep, making it the second deepest lake in Africa, after Lake Tanganyika.
Activities on Lake Bunyonyi Kabale.
Boat Rides
Visit Lake Bunyonyi and enjoy a boat cruise through the amazing islands on the Lake. There are countless boats for hire on the banks of the lake ready to take you inland all day.
Community Visits and Hikes
Lounging at the amazing resorts is relaxing enough but to experience the Switzerland of Africa, a hike in the surrounding hills is exhilarating and refreshing. Trails along the terraces, banana plantations and lush green vegetation give a clear view of the 29 islands. It gives quite a great picture-perfect spot from all angles.
Bird Watching
Bunyonyi simply means ‘many little birds’, so bird lovers visit Lake Bunyonyi for a very good reason. It is a home for over 200 bird species like the Grey-crowned cranes, Red-chested sunbirds, Flycatchers, White-tailed blue Monad, Slender-billed baglafetch, weavers, Egrets, Herons, Woodpeckers among others all over the banks of the lake. If you are a bird lover but also in dire need for a quiet getaway, Bunyonyi is the perfect place experience for this experience.
Swimming
The Lake is filled with fresh waters and is Bilharzia free. There is no shore but safe structures have been put in place to allow easy deep dives into the open waters. A change from the swimming pools is just what you need on holiday and Lake Bunyoyi is open for this all time of the day. Take time to chill on the banks of the lake, sunbathe and deep dive any time of the day.
Local Market
The African Market experience is something you should. Markets around Lake Bunyonyi have about anything you can think of ranging from African crafts, vegetables, shoes, clothes, and electronics. The people move around swiftly as they haggle for cheaper prices, others stand around and catch up with each other and others riding in with more merchandise to sell. A local market is a place where people come to connect and catch up with others.
Canoe Riding
This is the commonest mode of transport on Lake Bunyonyi. The locals are constantly making trips across the lake from island to island and different sides of the hills to do their personal business. To have a better feel of what it feels like to live the way they do, a canoe ride is a perfect option, giving you extra time on the lake, a chance to stop right in the middle for a little serenity and panoramic view. You can choose to be paddled or even do the paddling yourself as long as you have a guide with you.