Lake Bunyonyi near Kabale
Lake Bunyonyi lies in the highlands of southwest Uganda near Kabale and Kisoro, at 1,962 m. It is a lake, not a national park. Terraced hills slope down to a shoreline cut into many bays, and small islands sit in the water.
Most visitors come for a night or two on the way to or from the gorillas. After a long drive from Entebbe or Kampala, the lake is an easy place to rest before gorilla trekking in Bwindi, and it works equally well afterwards. Our page on travel from Entebbe and Kampala shows how the drive fits together.
Our pick: a trek with a Lake Bunyonyi boat trip
The itinerary includes a boat trip on Lake Bunyonyi alongside the Bwindi trek.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Gorilla tours that pass Lake Bunyonyi
Guided trips to Bwindi and the southwest. Check each listing for the route and for what is included.
Islands and canoe trips
The lake is best seen from the water.
Around 29 islands lie in the lake, depending on how they are counted. Visitors usually explore by canoe or small boat, either as a paddle around the bays or as a trip to one or two islands. Akampene, Bwama, Njuyeera and Bushara are among the islands people mention most. Agree on the price and the length of a trip before you get into the boat, because rates are not fixed.
The hills around the lake are cultivated, so a walk along the shore passes fields and homes. Birds are easy to spot from a canoe, including kingfishers on posts and jetties. The name is commonly translated as place of little birds.
Akampene, the Punishment Island
One small island carries a hard story. Local tradition says unmarried pregnant girls were once left on Akampene as punishment. The story is told without dates or numbers, and it describes the past, not a practice today. Visitors usually hear it from the boatman as part of a trip.
Treat it with the care you would give any story about suffering. Listen, and avoid joking about it.
Swimming in the lake
No official all-clear.
The lake has no official all-clear for swimming: bilharzia, a parasite that lives in many East African freshwater lakes, cannot be ruled out. No general swimming ban is known either, but the absence of a ban is not a safety guarantee. Many visitors skip swimming and enjoy the lake by boat. If you want to swim, ask your host or guide about the local advice that week, and do not rely on anyone's promise that the water is safe.
Kabale: the town and the road to Bwindi
The gateway to the lake and the southern forest.
Kabale is the main town of the area and a usual stop on the way to Bwindi. From Kampala it is 414 km, about 6 hours by road. From Kabale it is 105 km to Nkuringo, about 4 hours. The route to Buhoma through Kanungu is 120 km, about 5 hours. The route via Ruhija to Buhoma is 95 km, about 4 hours for the whole way, not for one stretch of it.
Kabale and the lake are possible starting points for Ruhija on the east side of Bwindi, while Kisoro and Lake Mutanda suit Rushaga and Nkuringo. Neither is a guaranteed briefing transfer, so confirm your pickup before you book. Our stay guide for Bwindi explains how to match location to sector, and the sector comparison shows where each briefing starts.
Plan the rest of your trip
Nearby places and practical pages.
Lake Bunyonyi: frequently asked questions
Where is Lake Bunyonyi?
It lies in the highlands of southwest Uganda near Kabale and Kisoro, at 1,962 m. It is a lake and not a national park.
How far is Lake Bunyonyi from Bwindi?
Distances depend on the sector. Kabale to Nkuringo is 105 km, about 4 hours, and Kabale to Buhoma through Kanungu is 120 km, about 5 hours. Confirm any transfer with your host.
Can I swim in Lake Bunyonyi?
The lake has no official bilharzia all-clear, and no known general ban either. Many visitors stay out of the water. Ask locally before you decide.
What is Punishment Island?
Punishment Island is Akampene. Local tradition says unmarried pregnant girls were once left there. It is a story from the past and not a practice today.
How many islands are there?
Around 29, depending on how they are counted. There is no single fixed number.
What does Bunyonyi mean?
The name is commonly translated as place of little birds. Check the current local advice for boats and prices before you go.