Scenic
Island-hopping by dugout
Lake Bunyonyi, near KabalePaddle among 29 terraced islands, including Punishment Island, on one of Africa’s deepest crater lakes.
01 Overview
About Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi — “place of little birds” — is a quiet, deep lake ringed by terraced hills in south-western Uganda. It is the perfect place to rest after gorilla trekking: canoe between islands, swim, walk through villages and watch birds from your lodge terrace.
- 01
Dugout canoeing
Paddle between islands at your own pace.
- 02
Village walks
Meet farmers and craftspeople on the lake’s shores.
02 Where you’ll go
Sites to visit, day by day
Scenic stops and their locations — mix and match them into days, or ask Davema to build the route for you.
Scenic
Terraced hills at sunrise
Lake Bunyonyi shorelineMist lifts off the water to reveal green hills cut into farming terraces.
Scenic
Kabale highlands
Kabale, south-west UgandaWinding roads through the "Switzerland of Africa" — steep, green and very photogenic.
03 More in Uganda
Nearby places
Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
An ancient forest and one unforgettable hour.
Uganda
Murchison Falls
Where the Nile throws itself through a rock.
Uganda
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Tree-climbing lions and a channel full of hippos.
Uganda
Kibale National Park
The primate capital of the world.
Uganda
Kidepo Valley National Park
Uganda’s remote and wildly beautiful north-east.
Uganda
Jinja & the Nile
The adventure capital at the source of the Nile.
Uganda
Rwenzori Mountains
The Mountains of the Moon.
Uganda
Ssese Islands
Lake Victoria’s island escape.
Uganda
Kampala
The vibrant city on seven hills.
Uganda
Sipi Falls
Three waterfalls on the slopes of Mount Elgon.
04 When to visit
Month by month
JanBest
FebBest
MarGood
AprQuieter
MayQuieter
JunBest
JulBest
AugBest
SepGood
OctQuieter
NovQuieter
DecBest
Best time Good Less ideal / wetter
05 Itineraries
Journeys in Lake Bunyonyi
No ready-made itinerary for Lake Bunyonyi — yet.
That’s what Davema is for. Tell us your dates, who’s travelling and what you love, and we’ll design it from scratch.
07 Things to do
09 Before you go
Travel notes
Visa & entry
Most visitors need a visa for Uganda, which can be applied for online as an e-visa before travel. Requirements depend on nationality — see our visa guide in the Travel Journal and ask the Davema visa desk to confirm for your passport.
11 Related destinations
If you love Lake Bunyonyi
Your next story