Tour Attractions and Activities in Lake Mutanda, Uganda Wildlife Safaris
Lake Mutanda is a little-known jewel, hidden in the mountainous landscape of southwestern Uganda, in Kisoro District. It is one of the most scenic lakes in Africa, located in a dramatic landscape of lush and verdant sprawling highlands.
Its fresh clear water of Lake Mutandais dotted by at least 15 islands of lush trees & and shrubs, and Lake Mutanda is ringed by the beautiful scenery of sprawling highlands clad with green vegetation, plantations, and terraces of crops along the slopes. Lake Mutanda's amazing scenery is set against a stunning backdrop of cloudy peaks of the Virunga Mountain Volcanoes. The Lake Mutanda chain of volcanoes of the Virunga Mountain Range spans the borders of Uganda, Rwanda & and Congo, and Uganda shares 3 of its prominent 8 Volcanoes.
Lake Mutanda is a small, freshwater lake in the far southwest of Uganda, close to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. It is drained by the Rutshuru River, flowing northward to Lake Edward. Lake Mutanda is a 30-minute drive from the center of Kisoro.
With an altitude of 1,800m, it is a great place to hike, and it offers breathtaking views of The Virunga Mountains.
The 15 islands of Lake Mutanda are barely touched, with only one inhabited by a local community and few have been tiled to grow crops & and tree plantations. A number of the other islands are virgin with only overgrown vegetation that’s rich with wildlife.
The biggest island, named after the lake, is Mutanda Island. This is inhibited by a local community of the “Abagesera” clan. These grow crops, such as peas, bananas, and sugar cane. A good portion of this island is covered by trees and shrubs. There is a church built on top of the island and local worshipers from the mainland canoe to this island to attend service at this church.
Two islands earned the name Punishment Islands for being the places where criminals & and misfits of the society were taken and dumped as a punishment. Unmarried pregnant girls, the elderly with no one to care for them, criminals such as thieves, and unwanted people from the region would be tied & and taken to the island and left to die there. Others would be killed and dumped on these islands. Caves with skeletal remains are found on the islands. These two islands are feared by the locals & and actually, no one walks on them because of the belief that they are haunted by the dead. Another intriguing island is the Python Island, which is home to pythons. The pythons are however rarely seen.
The 3 extinct volcanoes within viewing range of the lake Mutanda:
Mount Muhabura:
Mount Muhabura means ‘the guide’ in Kinyarwanda, the official language of Rwanda. With an elevation of 4,127m, Mount Muhabura is the third highest of the Virunga Mountains. This steep hike, with a gradual incline on rocky surfaces, typically takes a whole day. Although the hike is physically demanding, it provides breathtaking views of Lake Edward, Bwindi, and the peak of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Mount Gahinga:
With an elevation of 3,473m, Mount Gahinga is smaller than Mount Muhabura and Mount Sabyinyo. In Kinyarwanda, ‘Gahinga’ means a pile of stones.
The hike is gentler, and it is suitable for less experienced hikers. On the day of your hike, you must buy a hiking permit and attend a health and safety briefing. Bamboo thrives on the slopes of Mount Gahinga, and you will discover bamboo forests that house a plethora of wildlife, from the endangered mountain gorilla to the regal sunbird. The scenic hike begins at 07:00 along a gentle incline, and it will take around 6 hours.
Mount Sabinyo:
Mount Sabyinyo is known locally as ‘Old Man’s Teeth’, due to the summit's resemblance to worn teeth. Mount Sabyinyo has an elevation of 3,669m, and it is the oldest volcano in the range. There are multiple hiking routes of varying degrees of difficulty. It includes three peaks, the first being the Sabyinyo Gorge, which is home to thick vegetation. This is a popular destination for bird watching but keep an eye out for golden monkeys!
Wildlife at Lake Mutanda:
At Lake Mutanda, you can discover a small range of bird species, from kingfishers to Uganda’s national bird, the grey-crowned crane.
Due to the high elevation, and cold climate, you are more likely to come across pin-tailed whydahs and sunbirds.
If you are venturing out on foot, you may spot snakes, chameleons, and a variety of frogs. Hippos have been seen at Lake Mutanda, but not since 1994. Instead, on the water, you will only come across African clawless otters and fish. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are nearby. They both support a range of wildlife.
Tourist Attractions and Activities at Lake Mutanda
Hiking is not the only attraction at Lake Mutanda. There is plenty to do if you aren't interested in hiking.
Garama Cave Visit at Lake Mutanda
Visiting the Garama Cave is a great way to develop your understanding of the local cultures. It is a tourism trail, created as a collaboration between the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and The United Organisation for Batwa Development in Uganda.
The trail is designed to support the Batwa, who inhabited the caves for many years before being recently resettled. Batwa guides will give you a tour of the 340-m-long cave and give you an insight into their culture and way of life.
Canoeing at Lake Mutanda
If you want to get off the land and onto the water, canoeing is a great way to discover the lake. This is one of the more relaxing activities, as the water is known for being calm. Glide through the tranquil waters from island to island. You may even be able to spot some birds and otters.
Bike Rides at Lake Mutanda
Adrenaline junkies can spend hours biking on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains. Feel the wind rushing past your face as you scramble down a steep slope, as gravity pulls you back down the mountains towards the shores of Lake Mutanda, where your lakeside lodge awaits.
Lake Mutanda Island Tours:
Lake Mutanda contains 15 small islands. 'Mutanda Island' is inhabited by a clan called ‘Abagesera’. The Abagesera have built a church on the top of the island, where they welcome local worshippers who attend from the mainland.
Travel to the island in a traditional dug-out canoe or a boat. From here, you will be able to view the scenery from a different perspective and meet the locals. To engage with the culture, you can go for community walks.
Brave adventurers can visit the Punishment Islands which used to house outcasts of the region’s society. It contains skeletal remains and some locals believe that it is haunted. Even bolder visitors can head to Python Island for a chance to see the resident snakes.
Best Time to Visit in Lake Mutanda
The best time to visit Lake Mutanda is during the dry seasons of June to September and December to February though it can be visited all year round. The hiking slopes around Lake Mutanda will be more challenging during the wet seasons. We recommend that you visit during the dry seasons because you can focus on the scenery, not on the slippery hiking trail.
Where to Stay in Lake Mutanda
There are many affordable accommodations ranging from basic to luxury and these include;
Mutanda Lake Resort:
Mutanda Lake Resort is a perfect base for your adventures at Lake Mutanda. Choose between Standard and Luxury Cottages which all offer stunning views of Lake Mutanda. The restaurant is a blend of a Swiss Chalet and African architecture and its talented chefs serve a range of delicious food. Its herbs and vegetables are grown and hand-picked from the Resort’s garden.
Mutanda Eco Community Center:
This is a community-owned eco-lodge on the southern shores of Lake Mutanda. Camping facilities, food, and accommodation are provided.
You can even get involved in their volunteering to support the local community during your stay. The volunteering experience includes teaching swimming lessons to children, working at the health centers, and teaching conservation education at the nearby Chihe Primary School.
Arrange and Book with Ultimate Wild Safaris for the safari tour of Lake Mutanda in Western Uganda.
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