[The Tour can start from Kigali and End in Kigali as well].
Our 3-day Mountain Gorilla tracking safari takes you to the misty Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which is home to more than half the World’s population of 1004 remaining Mountain Gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest offers a unique birding opportunity, cultural experiences, a scenic allure of stunning hills and lush vegetation inhabited by a wide variety of primates. Gorilla tracking is the most enchanting experience in this forest that will leave you with memories of a life time. You will visit a community of the Batwa people who used to live in the Bwindi forest before it was gazetted as a national park and be mesmerized by the stories of how they used to live in this forest as gatherers, hunters warriors and herbalists.
Lake Bunyonyi -A place of many little birds
An ideal place to chill out on a holiday or after your safari
Lake Bunyonyi – A place of many little birds is a stunning beautiful water body in southwestern Uganda. Its formation was a result of volcanic activity several years ago. Lava dammed river Ndego thus blocking its continued flow.
The morning mist and melodies of birds welcome you. Lake Bunyonyi’s crystal clear waters are free from Bilharzia, crocodiles, and hippos.
With 29 islands, it is an ideal place to chill out on a holiday or after your safari to other scenic destinations. Enjoy the views of the terraced hills and other islands.
Canoeing and boat ride around the islands
Punishment Island
A lot can be enjoyed at lake Lake Bunyonyi. The two – hour boat ride on the lake enables you to tour the islands including the famous punishment Island known locally as Akampene.
This small marshy island hosted excommunicated girls who were delivered by their relatives for having got pregnant before marriage. The girls were sometimes lucky to be rescued by a man in a passing boat who would take one of them as a ‘free” wife without paying the bride price.
Story of a survivor
My tour guides narrated a story of one of the survivors still alive known as Mauda Kyitaragabirwe. When it was discovered that she was pregnant, her parents sent her to Punishment Island. It was considered a sound deterrent to other girls to abstain from pregnancy outside wedlock. She was left to die at the island but by God’s Grace, she was later rescued by a passing boatman.
However, Mauda later had a miscarriage since she was brutally handled on her way to the island.
During the pre-independence times around the 1930s, parents in the area supported the ex-communication of pregnant unmarried girls. The pregnancy outside wedlock was considered as bringing shame to the families and society thus denying them bridal wealth. The bride price is in form of livestock.
Today the punishment island is the only one that does not look beautiful with only two dry trees and long drying grass seen on the island. One can think that the island was cursed by the girl victims. Even birds hardly perch on the island.
In another region girls faced a similar fate, around Kisiizi falls. The girls were thrown off the cliff. It was such a painful episode for the girls. However, one day one girl dragged one of her tormentors with her over the cliff. The practice stopped indefinitely.
Other Islands
Bwama Island is another historical island. A missionary doctor set up a camp in this area to help the community recover from leprosy. Dr. Leonard Sharp and his team established the center in 1931. It remained open till the 1950s.
Today the island is home to two schools, a secondary and primary school. Students can access them by boat because no permanent village exists on the island.
Dr.Sharp established a home on Njuyeera Island known today as Sharp’s island. He lived here with his family.
Hiking to the Top of the World
Hiking to the top of a hill known as Top of the world is another exciting activity. You will be able to see the surrounding islands clearly. It is recommended to keep your camera close to you so that you do not miss out on the amazing views.
The hike combines a village walk and bird watching along the way. My guide shared local knowledge about the plants used as herbal medicine and food crops by the community. I enjoyed the amazing views of the surrounding islands and the terraced hills.
The hikes are less strenuous. You can take them at your own pace. You will get close to the village residents. Advanced booking is required for Traditional dances
Lake Bunyonyi is a place to chill out on a holiday or after your safari. A lot can be enjoyed at
Nature views, Lake Bunyonyi Boat rides as well as visiting the serene hideouts at the remarkable Habuharo Island on Lake Bunyonyi, Swimming is possible, Nature walks around the Lake, Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the Switzerland of Africa-Lake Bunyonyi.
A break at the zero Equator Line, Sunbathing on the lake, Birding -with hundreds of water-loving species, it is referred to as a place of many birds, There is much to feed your quest on your 3 days Uganda Safari.
Safari Highlights
- Equator experience
- Gorilla trek
Lake Bunyonyi and Batwa cultural experience
Punishment Island
A lot can be enjoyed at lake Lake Bunyonyi. The two – hour boat ride on the lake enables you to tour the islands including the famous punishment Island known locally as Akampene.
This small marshy island hosted excommunicated girls who were delivered by their relatives for having got pregnant before marriage. The girls were sometimes lucky to be rescued by a man in a passing boat who would take one of them as a ‘free” wife without paying the bride price.
Story of a survivor
My tour guides narrated a story of one of the survivors still alive known as Mauda Kyitaragabirwe. When it was discovered that she was pregnant, her parents sent her to Punishment Island. It was considered a sound deterrent to other girls to abstain from pregnancy outside wedlock. She was left to die at the island but by God’s Grace, she was later rescued by a passing boatman.
However, Mauda later had a miscarriage since she was brutally handled on her way to the island.
During the pre-independence times around the 1930s, parents in the area supported the ex-communication of pregnant unmarried girls. The pregnancy outside wedlock was considered as bringing shame to the families and society thus denying them bridal wealth. The bride price is in form of livestock.
Today the punishment island is the only one that does not look beautiful with only two dry trees and long drying grass seen on the island. One can think that the island was cursed by the girl victims. Even birds hardly perch on the island.
In another region girls faced a similar fate, around Kisiizi falls. The girls were thrown off the cliff. It was such a painful episode for the girls. However, one day one girl dragged one of her tormentors with her over the cliff. The practice stopped indefinitely.
Its name gives a ray of hope for this trending Uganda safari, simply meaning, ‘Place of many little birds, the best place for birding Uganda safari. It’s clearly seen that the lake is a bed of roses by having its blueprint image on the 5,000 Ugandan shilling note under the title “Lake Bunyonyi and terraces. The absorbing Islands on the lake and the surrounding towns of Kyevu and Muko on its shores make everything readable and enjoyable
We shall begin our day with an early breakfast, then prepare for the captivating Canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi, this is so catchy when you sail over the water bodies having beautiful scenic views on the aquatic life like the water birds and many more. After this pleasing adventure, we drive back to Entebbe or Kigali in time for your flight.
- A Visa – you can apply for the visa online or very easily get one at the point of entry into the country (airport)
- Gorilla trekking permit – You can apply and secure these on line but experience has shown that it is better coordinated when you send money to the tour firm to handle it for you at no extra cost to the standard fee (USD600)
- Travel & Health insurance – This should be arranged by you in your home country before you travel.
- Travelers must be at least 15 years old on the day of the trekking.
- Good physical, fit health and mental condition
- Waterproof Jacket, breathable with hood.
- Insulated warm Jacket synthetic or down.
- Long Sleeve Shirt and Waterproof Pants.
- Footwear – Hiking.
- Category
- Location
- Grade
- Days5
- Nights4
- AccommodationHotel
- TransportationJeep
- FoodFull board
- WaterBottled water
There are no reviews yet.