Lake Bunyonyi (misspelled Bunyoni) is one of the iconic attractions of Uganda as one of the most beautiful lakes in Uganda and it is little wonder it is one of the images that feature on the “Two Thousand” Uganda Shilling bill. Lake Bunyonyi is found in southwestern Uganda in the scenic sprawling Kigezi highlands between Kabale and Kisoro districts. It has its deepest point at 900m making it the second deepest lake in Africa. The lake is dotted by 29 islands and is ringed by terraced rolling highlands, and from viewpoints up in the highlands one can access breathtaking views of lake and the lush islands.

Lake Bunyonyi is only 2 -3 hours drive from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park the home of the Mountain Gorillas and the lake is the best relaxing spot after the incredible gorilla trekking adventure. After the gorilla tour in Bwindi forest travelers enjoy wonderful views of the rolling terraced highlands, a cool weather and such relaxing atmosphere at Lake Bunyonyi.

Of Lake Bunyonyi Islands and the culture and traditions of the Bakiga people

In the olden days the islands of Lake Bunyonyi were used for cultural practices by the local people of the Bakiga tribe that occupy the highlands around the lake and there many intriguing stories of these practices and cultural myths that are told about some of the islands.  The most interesting one perhaps is the Akampene Islands or Punishment Island – where girls that became pregnant outside wedlock where brought by their fathers or brothers and punished by abandoning them on this island. The girls would starve to death or drown when attempting to swim back to mainland. For a girl to become pregnant before marriage was shameful to the family. However girls could sometimes be picked by young men who were unable to pay bride price and taken for their wives. This practice was a common practice in southwestern Uganda but has long been abandoned!

Other islands include: Bwama and Njuyeera, Bucuranuka (Upside down), Bushara Island, and Kyahugye among others.

Many of these islands are not inhabited, while a number have been bought off for tourism activities and accommodations have been constructed to host tourists.