After a bad experience in Kisoro, we drove to relax at Lake Bunyonyi, an archipelago of 29 islands. It is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, and this remote, quiet spot makes a perfect getaway. Its gorgeous scenic views include crop terraces growing cassava and sweet potato and hilly islands around the bends of the lakes. The access road was, in some parts, challenging and on the edge of our safety limits because of our truck’s height and weight. But we made it to the Overland Resort for two nights (12 USD per person). The food was a bit pricey but good. The following day, we booked the boat trip through the reception (40 USD), which offered the best conditions compared to local “captains.”
Lake Bunyonyi is Uganda’s incredible national treasure. Only a handful of the islands are inhabited mainly by the Bachiga people; others are reserved solely for agriculture. The most notorious is Punishment Island, which is at the deepest point on the lake. This is where women who became pregnant before marriage were marooned and imprisoned, as was the culture in antiquity.
Locals would tell you that crystal clear waters free of reeds would be great for swimming. But since all drainage from villages and resorts goes directly into the lake, we would not recommend it. This lake can reach a depth of nearly 1km! With a depth ranging from 45m to 900m, Bunyoni is the second-deepest lake in Africa.
Parking location – Lake Bunyonyi: 1.272143S 29.938226E (🅿️,🚻,🚿,💦)