Lake Mutanda, Safari Adventures in Uganda

Lake Mutanda is a hidden jewel in the mountainous land scape of south-western Uganda, in Kisoro district and its one of the most scenic lakes in Africa, located in a dramatic land scape of lush and verdant sprawling highlands.

Its fresh clear water is filled by 15 islands lush trees & 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 the Virunga Mountain Range spans the boarders of Uganda, Rwanda & Congo, and Uganda shares 3 of its prominent 8 Volcanoes.

The 3 are Mts. Muhavira, Gahinga & Sabinyo. These are very visible, rising in the background over Lake Mutanda & the 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.

The 15 islands of Lake Mutanda are hardly touched, with only one inhabited by a local community and few have been tiled to grow crops & tree plantations.

A number of the other islands are virgin with only overgrown vegetation that’s rich with wildlife. The largest island named after the lake is Mutanda Island and it’s inhibited by a local community of the Abagesera clan.

These grow crops like peas, bananas and the sugar canes. The Island is covered by trees and shrubs and the church is built on top of the island and local worshipers from the mainland canoe to this island in order to attend service at the church.

The 15 islands of Lake Mutanda are hardly touched, with only one inhabited by a local community and few have been tiled to grow crops & tree plantations.

A number of the other islands are virgin with only overgrown vegetation that’s rich with wildlife. The largest island named after the lake is Mutanda Island and it’s inhibited by a local community of the Abagesera clan.

These grow crops like peas, bananas and the sugar canes. The Island is covered by trees and shrubs and the church is built on top of the island and local worshipers from the mainland canoe to this island in order to attend service at the church.

There are also two islands that earned the name punishment islands for being the places where criminals and the misfits of the society were taken and then dumped 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 & 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 & actually no one walks on them because of the belief that they are haunted by the dead.

The other island is the Python Island which is home to pythons. The pythons are however rarely seen.

Wildlife to find in Lake Mutanda and on the Islands

There are few birds that are found and it’s because of the high elevation and cold weather that’s unfavourable to many species. Some of the common birds found here include; Pin tailed whydah, Great Cormorant, Pied & Malachite Kingfisher, & sunbirds.

Otters are common in the lake; meanwhile there are few fish species, about 3, including Cat & Mad Fish. Pythons inhabit some of the islands, and the Python Island is said to harbor many.

Activities in Lake Mutanda

Canoeing

It’s the best adventure on Lake Mutanda. To ride on the calm waters feeling the cold breeze and composure, go around the islands & enjoy the beautiful views of the land scape and the amazing scenery while observing some wildlife like the birds and otters.

Island safaris

You can as well visit the Python Island for a chance to view these huge snakes. . A good time to catch them is on a hot day. The pythons normally eat fish & 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.