Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyoni is one of the deepest in Africa and boasts 29 islands over its 25 kilometre length. The Lake is a flooded valley system created some 8000 years ago as a lava flow from the Viruga mountains blocked the Ndego River.

Absence of hippos, crocodiles and bilharzia make it popular for watersports. The large population of crayfish compensates for the low levels of common fish as Nile perch or tilapia that do not breed well with the depth.

Forested Bushara Island is a popular destination, with a range of accommodation, canoes and sailboats to explore other islands.

Surrounding hills are the home of the Bakiga people, responsible for the steep cultivated terraces featured on the Ugandan bank notes. An old tradition saw pregnant single girls left on Punishment Island to starve, swim, sink or hope for rescue as a last resort open to cowless men.