Lake Mutanda

Situated on the foothills of the three Virunga mountain ranges—Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabinyo—Lake Mutanda is a small freshwater lake in the Kisoro district of southwestern Uganda. It is only a few miles from Kisoro town, the district’s headquarters.

With white fluffy clouds hovering over the summits, these volcanoes provide a stunning panoramic backdrop. Lake Mutanda is 454 kilometers away by car from Kampala, Uganda’s capital city, in the southwest.

The 15 stunning islands that make up Lake Mutanda are covered in lush vegetation and are home to small animals. Only one of these islands is inhabited by the local population, who engage in various activities like planting crops and trees, while the other islands are inhabited by wildlife. The Rutshuru River drains Lake Mutanda and goes north to Lake Edward.

The breathtakingly beautiful scenery that surrounds Mutanda is made up of undulating hills that are covered with lush trees, bushes, and agricultural terraces, making your visit to this lake very intriguing and thrilling.

A native village of the Abagesera clan resides on the island known as Lake Mutanda, which is one of the 15 islands and is named after the lake. There is a church built on the top of the island, which serves as a place of worship for the locals, who are primarily from the mainland and can be reached by canoe. The Abagesera calm inhabits a portion of the island where it lives and grows crops like sugarcane, bananas, peas, and many others.

The punishment islands, which have historical significance for the Bakiga population in the area, are among the most famous islands in Lake Mutanda. This island is feared by the locals because it is thought to be haunted by the spirits of the dead.

It is also where criminals and social misfits, such as pregnant women and elderly people without family, were taken and dumped as punishment. The bodies of those who were killed were also dumped here. Although they are seldom seen, the python island is another noteworthy island that is home to a colony of pythons.

There are many different types of animals that may be viewed at Mutanda and surrounding islands, including fish, birds, and snakes. Sunbirds, pied kingfishers, malachite kingfishers, big cormorants, and pian-tailed whydas are among the bird species.

Many bird species do not call Mutanda home because of its high elevation, which contributes to the lake’s frigid climate, which is very detrimental to bird life. Other animals that inhabit Mutanda and the islands include hippopotamuses, monitor lizards, chameleons, pythons, clawless otters, and three different species of fish: cat, mad, and chameleon.

Canoeing

One of Mutanda’s most breathtaking hobbies is canoeing, which involves paddling a canoe across the serene lake waters. Enjoy the refreshing lake breeze and breathtaking scenery while riding the lake. You can also spot a variety of birds, including the Grey-crowned cranes, pied kingfishers, weaver birds, Great Cormorant, Ibis, Pin-tailed Whydah, Kites, and Malachite Kingfishers, among many others.

Traveling to the islands

Lake Mutanda is home to several stunning islands, including Punishment Island, Python Island, and many more. A safari to the lake would not be complete without a visit to the islands. You may explore several of the islands’ secrets, like the skeleton caverns on Punishment Island and Python Island, which is home to python snakes, by boat on the waters of Lake Mutanda.

Trekking

There are many hills all surrounding Mutanda, and the only way to get to the lake is to hike. While trekking, you may take in breathtaking scenery. The hike to and from Mutanda is two

A day’s walk from the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s Buhoma Sector to the Nkuringo Sector. The ascent to Lake Mutanda occurs on the second day, and several pathways are used to reach the stunning lake.

Biking in the mountains

This safari entails riding over the mountainous terrain around the lake, making mountain biking around Mutanda an exciting but rather difficult pastime. While riding a bike, you may take in the beautiful scenery of hills covered in greenery. However, mountain biking is a physically demanding sport that serves as both an entertainment and an exercise activity. You may hire bikes from Kisoro or bring your own bikes to the lake as a visitor participating in this activity.

Photography and sightseeing

Lake Mutanda is a very beautiful lake with beautiful scenery, making it the finest place to view the sights. It also provides a fantastic chance to take amazing, unforgettable photos.

The experience of Batwa

The Batwa adventure highlights the cultural aspects of your safari to Mutanda; the lake is encircled by densely forested Kisoro hills. The ancient Batwa pygmies lived in these woods. Despite being forcibly expelled from the forest, the Batwa people still reside in two locations close to Mutanda: Buniga Forest and Batwa Forest Walk in Mgahinga National Park. During a tour to these woods, you may take in traditional music and dances, talk to the elders, see the Batwa employing indigenous building materials and hunting techniques, and much more.

Lodging in Lake Mutanda

Two lodging options are available when on a safari at Mutanda: Chameleon Hill Lodge and Lake Mutanda Resort, both of which are close to the lake.

A trip to Mutanda and its island is a wonderful experience that offers memories and stunning scenery produced by the many islands, flora, and fauna.