Deep in the southwestern region of Uganda lies a sight only fit for imagination. A water body virgin with untamed waters offering fresh breezes of uncharted wilderness that it uncovers. A sight too spectacular only dubbed as a peaceful paradise sculptured by nature. This is the unfiltered untouched sighting of the beautiful Lake Mutanda. Lake Mutanda borders Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. It is located in the Kisoro district close to the border with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This Lake is found in the western arm of the Great Rift Valley at the base of the Virunga mountain ranges. These mountain ranges shade the lake with ringed beautiful scenery of covering green vegetation.
Lake Mutanda offers beautiful breathtaking scenes as the sun rises at dusk behind the mountain ranges. The lake is also blessed with over 15 islands with lush green mixed vegetation of trees and shrubs. The mountain range slopes surrounding the lake also contribute to the amazing scenes of the lake. The plantations of the locals arranged with the terraces add the icing on the cake for this marvel of beauty.
Some of the islands on Lake Mutanda have a deep cultural history that spans for generations. The main island on this lake is named after the Lake Mutanda. This Island is inhabited by the local Abagesera clan of people. These people are mainly cultivators and grow crops for food and surpass is sold. Most of the other Islands are not harbored by people with some only used as gardens where they go to grow their crops and plantations.
The other islands like the punishment island are not inhabited by people and other islands are virgin with overgrown lush vegetation inhabited by wildlife. The punishment islands are two and have a significant and unfortunate past. These islands were used for punishing community misfits like criminals and young girls who got pregnant before marriage. They would be dumped on the island and left to die there. Men who were unable to find a woman to marry would go am rescue one of the outcasted girls and marry them. Many people died on this island from starvation on these punishment islands.
Due to this factor, these islands are still feared even up to date because of the tragic stories behind them. Remains of people have been visible in the caves on this island. The punishment islands are known to the local people as being hunted by the people who died there.
What to do at Lake Mutanda
Lake Mutanda has a lot to do regarding the things to do on the islands that are scattered across the entire surface of Lake Mutanda. These things include some of the following.
Boat rides
Boat rides or canoeing on Lake Mutanda is an interesting activity that allows visitors to explore the treasure of the lake in the comfort of a boat. Canoeing across Lake Mutanda is a perfect way for visitors to bond with nature as they enjoy the clean and fresh breezes of the lake. Along the canoeing experience, visitors can encounter several colorful birds.
Community tours
There are several communities bordering Lake Mutanda both on the islands and on the main. These communities are hospitable with locals who show love to the visitors. Taking on a community tour of the communities close to the lake is a perfect opportunity for visitors to bond with the locals. This is because they will get to explore the cultures of the locals in their daily lives. The visitors can also engage the locals by supporting their communities.
Guided nature walks
Guided nature walks are usually done with the help of local guides who know the lake and islands with their history. There are designated trails for these guided walks and each trail is highlighted by the different flora and fauna species. Guided nature walks will make you fall in love with nature and they are also healthy for visitors as it’s another way to maintain your physique and burn some calories.
Bird watching
The islands on Lake Mutanda are a natural haven for many bird species. The abundance of water and plenty of food from the lush vegetation offer the best habitat for these birds. The birds on the islands are mainly endemic and residents of the area. However, other migratory species join from the shores of the main islands. These birds are seasonal and can only be seen in different seasons. Some of the bird species found on Lake Mutanda include crowned cranes, herons, eagles, and egrets to mention but a few.
Agro-tourism
The hilly and mountainous surroundings of Lake Mutanda offer opportunities for Agritourism. Visitors can tour the crops and plantations of the locals as they learn the traditional planting ways of the locals. Agritourism involves visitors touring the agricultural fields of the local people and can also participate. The areas around Lake Mutanda have fertile soils that support crop production on a large scale.
Lake Mutanda is quite a long way from the capital Kampala due to its location in the southwestern region of the Kisoro district. The lake can be accessed by both air and road transport. Uganda is one of the best countries in Africa with a good road network system in rural areas especially around tourism sites.
How to get to Lake Mutanda?
Traveling by road to Lake Mutanda is the cheapest and most common means to the lake. Although it is a long journey, it is worth the experience as you get to explore and spot the local communities of the countryside on the road to the lake. Lake Mutanda is approximately 494.9 kilometers from Kampala and accessing it by road can visitors about 9-10 hours.
With the improvement in air network services in the country, air transport through domestic flights has been eased. There are scheduled flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro Airfield in Kisoro district after a drive through to the lake. Traveling by air to Lake Mutanda can the visitors an average of 2-3 hours.
