Lake Edward Uganda
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Lake Wamala Uganda
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Lake Mutanda Uganda
Lake Mutanda is one of the beautiful lakes in Uganda and it is situated in Kisoro district, Southwestern Uganda. This lake is approximately 8-9 hours’ drive from Kampala capital city and 3-4 hours’ drive from Kigali capital city of Rwanda. It is a natural wonder with a unique landscape, sprawling highlands yet very few tourists on Uganda safari have explored.
- Volcanoes Around Lake Mutanda
Lake Mutanda lies on the 3 scenic Virunga Volcanoes; Mount Sabyinyo, Muhabura, and Mount Gahinga. Its strategic location rewards travelers on Uganda safari with a dramatic view of the scenic Virunga volcano peaks, Lake Bunyonyi and it is a perfect place to begin or end your journey while on Uganda gorilla safari in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Magical Islands on Lake Mutanda
About 15 magical islands are distributed in Lake Mutanda which makes it one of the most magnificent freshwater Lakes in Uganda and Africa at large. Each of its islands features lush vegetation cover where numerous animals live and only one is inhabited by Abagesera local community.
These islands make up the Mutanda archipelago and they derive their name from the Lake itself. Abagesera clan depend largely on crop cultivation and they grow crops such as peas, bananas, sugarcane, and others. Aside from crop growing, there is also a church on the top of the island where locals confine to worship and it is accessible on a canoe ride.
- Drainage of lake Mutanda
This lake is drained by River Rutshuru that flows Northwards to Lake Edward. Its surrounding is comprised of rolling hills filled with lush trees, shrubs, terraces of crops, and a visit to this lake on Uganda safari rewards travelers with lots of lasting memories.
The magical islands which make up Mutanda Islands include python Island, punishment island. The Lake’s islands offer refuge to diverse species of wildlife including fish species like mad fish, catfish; snakes including pythons; birds as well as reptiles like chameleons, monitor lizards; hippos, and many more.
The different birds to identify on Uganda safari in Lake Mutanda include Malachite Kingfishers, grey crowned cranes, pin tailed whydah, Kites, weaver birds, pied kingfishers to mention but a few.
Lake Mutanda Uganda
Activities to do in Lake Mutanda
- Canoe ride
A canoe ride on Lake Mutanda is exciting to experience visitors on Uganda safari shouldn’t miss out. This lets visitors sight a variety of bird species including kites, ibis, weaver birds, malachite kingfishers, great cormorant, grey crowned cranes, pied kingfishers, pin tailed whydahs. You will also enjoy an amazing view of the scenic surrounding areas.
- Birding
Lake Mutanda is also a perfect area to go for bird watching while on Uganda safari. The birds to expect to sight in this area include great cormorant, grey crowned cranes, pied kingfishers, pin-tailed whydahs, malachite kingfishers, and many others. Birders are advised to come along with their cameras and pair of binoculars.
Batwa experience
The Batwa experience lets you enjoy unique dances, music performances, and uncover different behaviors, lifestyles of the Batwa pygmies. The Batwa are believed to have lived in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Forest at the time for about 500000 years not until they were evicted due to the need to conserve the area to offer refuge to mountain gorillas. They stayed in the jungles as hunters and gatherers however, they left the forest without a negative impact on the environment.
- Sightseeing and photography
Lake Mutanda features a unique landscape which makes it a perfect place to embark on sightseeing and photography. The lake itself is magnificent and lets visitors capture the best pictures.
Lake Mutanda Uganda
- Hiking
Visitors on Uganda safari can also embark on hiking tours around Lake Mutanda and its surrounding areas. A hike around this lake is amazing to experience and it can take hikers about 2 days to hike from Buhoma to Nkuringo and on the second day, you can get to Lake Mutanda. Hikers can hike through various nature trails that lead up to scenic hills.
- Mountain biking
Lake Mutanda is situated in an area with an exceptional landscape which makes it an ideal place for mountain biking. It is such a rewarding experience that visitors on Uganda safari shouldn’t miss out to enjoy the scenic view of stunning Virunga volcanoes, rolling hills, and the lake itself.
- Where to stay in Lake Mutanda
The nearby accommodation to consider for a night stay while on Uganda safari in Lake Mutanda include Lake Mutanda Resort, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Travelers Rest Camp, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Buhoma Community Bandas, Gahinga Rest Camp, and many more.
- How to get to Lake Mutanda
Lake Mutanda is set in Southwestern Uganda and it is reachable by road or by air. By road, travelers can commence their road trip from Entebbe/Kampala via Masaka-Mbarara-Kisoro route which is an 8-9 hours drive in a good 4×4 safari vehicle and 3-4 hours’ drive starting from Kigali capital city of Rwanda. From Kigali, it involves border crossing through the Chanika border to Kisoro Town.
By air, flight services can be arranged to start from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip where you can connect to Lake Mutanda in a 4×4 safari vehicle.
Lake Mutanda Uganda
