Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi, in the far southwestern corner of Uganda, is widely regarded as the most beautiful lake in the country, a serene, deep expanse of still water whose name means place of many little birds. Cradled by steeply terraced, misty green hills and dotted with twenty-nine small islands, each with its own character and stories, it is a tranquil, temperate and peaceful place, ideal for relaxing, swimming in one of the few bilharzia-free lakes in the region, canoeing between the islands, and unwinding after the exertions of gorilla trekking nearby.

What you actually see

• The terraced hills - the misty green terraced slopes around the lake.
• The islands - the twenty-nine small islands, each with its story.
• Canoeing and swimming - the dugout canoe trips and safe swimming.
• The tranquil setting - the peaceful, temperate lakeside calm.

When to go

The drier seasons, June to September and December to February, are best for the clearest weather and views; the high-altitude lake is temperate and pleasant, cooler than the lowlands, and often beautifully misty in the mornings. It is a perfect place to relax before or after gorilla trekking.

Honest expectations

It is remote, in the far southwest near the Rwandan border, so reaching it takes a long journey, but it is perfectly placed as a restful stop around gorilla trekking at Bwindi. It is a place to relax, swim and canoe rather than a site of major attractions. It is one of the few lakes in the region where people commonly swim - it is free of bilharzia and crocodiles. Its serene, terraced beauty is a genuine highlight.

Nearby

Bwindi and its gorillas, the town of Kabale and the Rwandan border are within reach.