Community Tour
Lake Mutanda - $40
Lake Mutanda is a little known jewel, hidden in the mountainous landscape of south western Uganda, in Kisoro district. It is one of the most scenic lakes in Africa, located in a dramatic land scape of lush and verdant sprawling high lands.
Its fresh clean water is dotted by at least 15 islands, lush trees and shrubs, and the lake is ringed by beautiful scenery of sprawling highlands clad with green vegetation, plantations and terraces of crops along the slopes. This amazing scenery is set against a stunning backdrop of cloudy peaks of the Virunga mountain volcanoes. The chain of volcanoes of Virunga mountain range spans the boarders of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC). Uganda shares 3 (three) of its prominent 8 (eight) Volcanoes. The 3 are the Mt. muhabura, Mt. Gahinnga and Mt. Sabyinyo which make up Mgahinga Gorilla National park. These are very visible, rising in the back ground over lake mutanda and sprawling highlands with white fluffy clouds floating across their peaks. In the morning, thick clouds of mist shroud the lush highlands and create mystic scenery over lake Mutanda and such an awe-inspiring view.
This 15 islands of lake mutanda are barely touched, with only one inhabited by a local community and a few have been tiled to grow crops and tree plantations. A number of other islands are virgin with only overgrown vegetation that is rich with wildlife.
The biggest island, named after the lake is Mutanda island. This is inhabited by a local community of the “Abagesera” clan. These grow crops, such as peas, bananas and sugar canes. 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 services at this church.
There are two islands that earned the name Punishment islands for being the places where criminals and misfits of the society were taken and dumped as a punishment. Un married 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 at these islands. Caves with skeletal remains are found at 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.
WILDLIFE TO FIND IN LAKE MUTANDA AND ON ITS ISLANDS.
There are few birds found here, and this is because of the high elevation and cold weather that is unfavorable to many species. Some of the common birds include pin-tailed whydah, Great cormorant, Pied and Malachite Kingfisher and Sunbirds. Others are common in the lake; meanwhile there are a few fish species, about 3 including Cat and Mad fish. Pythons inhabitant some of the islands and the python island is said to harbor many.
TOURS AND ACTIVITIES TO DO AT LAKE MUTANDA
CANOEING: This is the best experience on lake Mutanda. To ride on the calm waters feeling the cold breeze and tranquility, go around the islands and enjoy beautiful views of the landscape and the amazing scenery while observing some wildlife such as birds and others.
ISLAND TOURS: Visit the python island for a chance to view these enormous snakes. A good time to catch them is on a hot day. The pythons normally eat fish and other water creatures in lake mutanda. Also, visit the punishment islands and checkout the caves with skeletal remains of the punished. Trek on Mutanda island and visit the local community and church, and you can take some donations for the locals. The island also offers vantage point for beautiful views over the lake.
HIKING: Hike to and around the lake and access great vantage points for wonderful views of Mutanda and the volcanoes.
MOUNTAIN BIKING: With good mountain bikes, biking the mountain landscape around lake Mutanda is quite exhilarating.
Lake Mutanda is also within the reach of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park where you can go do the famous gorilla trekking adventure and other trekking adventures with the lake providing soothing and relaxing base. It is only 45 minutes’ drive to Bwindi impenetrable National park about 1.5 hours’ drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
About Us
We are passionate about travel and dedicated to offering the highest quality service. Our team comprises local experts who have an intimate knowledge of Uganda’s hidden gems, from the verdant rainforests and majestic mountains to the sprawling savannas and pristine lakes.
