Exploring Bunyarunguru Crater lakes
Overview
With its many tiny lakes encircled by undulating hills and breathtaking views, Bunyaruguru Crater Lakes, close to Fort Portal in Uganda, provide a singular natural experience. The region is well-known for having waters devoid of bilharzia, which makes it safe for swimming. It is also a great place for sports fishing, nature walks, cycling, and bird viewing.
Highlights of the Bunyaruguru Crater Lakes exploration:
Swimming is safe in many of the crater lakes since they are free of bilharzia.
Observing wildlife: Lake Nkuruba, for instance, is well-known for its white colobus monkeys on its shores and hippo crossings.
Bird watching: With more than 300 species identified, the region is a birdwatcher's paradise.
Hiking & nature walks: There are many routes that provide a chance to explore the nearby forests, hills, and lakes.
Cultural experiences: By leading treks through communities and to Mahoma Falls, local guides can provide insights into the traditions of the Batoro tribe.
Community involvement: Lake Nkuruba's dedication to environmental care is demonstrated by its nature reserve and community conservation initiative.
The following are a some of the nearby crater lakes:
Nkuruba Lake
Nyinambuga Lake
The "Lake of Frogs" is another name for Lake Nyabikere.
Nyamirima Lake
Nyanswiga Lake
Lyantonde Lake
Rukwanzi Lake
To get to Bunyaruguru Crater Lakes, drive 30 minutes from Fort Portal along the Kamwenge route.
The region is roughly 300 kilometers west of Kampala.
When traveling to Uganda, one should see the stunning natural wonders known as the Bunyaruguru Crater Lakes in Western Uganda.
Vulcanicity creates crater lakes when a volcano erupts violently and blows off its summit, leaving behind a crater. A group of lakes with lodging options can be found approximately 35 kilometers south of Fort Portal, between Kibale Forest National Park and the major Fort Portal-Kasese route. Since Bunyaruguru Crater Lakes are bilharzia-free, swimming is advised. The two main pursuits in the vicinity of Bunyaruguru Crater Lakes are Avi tourism and fishing. There are more than 300 known bird species in the region.
Primate species such as white colobus monkeys and hippos that migrate from Nkuruba and Nyabikere can be found on the banks of Lake Nkuruba, one of the area's crater lakes that is deemed safe for swimming. Visitors can stroll to other crater lakes, like Lake Nyinambuga, or ride a bicycle around the lakes on the back of the twenty-thousand-shilling bill. Local tour guides lead walks to Mahoma Falls.
There is a natural reserve and a community conservation project at Lake Nkuruba. The scenic location includes camping spots. There are treks to the nearby lakes, the explosion crater, and Mahoma Falls.
At 1,600 meters above sea level, Fort Portal is situated 80 kilometers north of Kasese and 300 kilometers west of Kampala. Lake Nyabikere, also known as the "lake of frogs," is located on the outskirts of Kibale Forest National Park, just 100 meters off the main road and 30 minutes away from Fort Portal via the Kamwenge route. Lake Nyamirima, Lake Nyanswiga, Lake Lyantonde, and Lake Rukwanzi are a few of the crater lakes in the region.
Katwe Crater Lake is situated north of the Mweya Peninsula. The crater lakes in Katwe are the highest point in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The 26-kilometer crater drive from Kabatoro Gate, the park's main gate, offers a great view of the Queen of England standing there when she named the park Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Queen named the park after her visit to Kazinga Channel National Park, and the view point is known as "Queen Pavilion." Views of the massive craters and the splendor of Queen Elizabeth National Park, including the hills and the greenery surrounding the crater lakes, can be seen here.
Ndali Kasenda Crater field
Another volcanic region close to Queen Elizabeth National Park is the Ndali Kasenda Crater Field. One of the nation's densest crater fields is Ndali Kasenda Crater Field. Since there are numerous craters within the 9km radius between Fort Portal City and Kibale Forest National Park, you can also explore the Ndali Kasenda's craters on foot. You can also go mountain biking along the Kasenda crater route. The renowned Top of the World Crater Trail is a three-hour guided walk. You will take in the view of the Kibale rain forest, the tea plantations, the foot of the Rwenzori highlands, and the mountain of the moon.
Nyamunuka crater lake
The scented Nyamunuka crater lake in Queen Elizabeth National Park is ideal for wild animals because it produces vaper from underground sources. Some wild animals, such as water bucks and cape buffalos, visit this lake for medicinal purposes because the water is saline and the animals do not drink it; instead, they come to kill ticks naturally.
Both fresh and saltwater crater lakes can be found in the Bunyaruguru craters, which are situated south of Lake George. These Bunyaruguru craters, also known as the Kichwamba crater field, are situated in the western portion of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Kichwamba escarpment in the western arm of the Rift Valley contains more than 20 craters.
The majority of the craters in this area are covered in vegetation, however Lake Nkugute is a field with stunning waters that resemble an African continent map. It is located between Queen Elizabeth National Park and the chimpanzee-inhabited Kalinzu Forest Reserve. You may experience nature and beauty in its most natural form when you visit the Bunyaruguru Craters with Mirama Hills Safaris, where you can also recognize the world's most famous volcano.
Best time to go:
Because animals and birds congregate at the lakes and tracking pathways are easier to access, the dry season (January, February, June, August, and December) is the best time to see wildlife and birds.