Lake Mutanda

The basics

One of the most popular ways to experience the lake’s tranquil scenery is by taking a ride on a traditional dugout canoe. There are several lakeside accommodation options available if you want to stay overnight, from resorts and lodges to more basic campsite services. Thanks to its proximity to the mountains of Virunga and several protected reserves, a visit to Lake Mutanda is often combined with a gorilla-trekking excursion—generally a multi-day experience.

Aside from gorilla trekking, the thickly forested slopes surrounding the lake are excellent for hiking—the 2-day hike to Nkuringo is a popular option, as well as mountain biking. The richly fertile volcanic soil of the Ugandan highlands is renowned for its coffee production. Head to the nearby town of Kisoro and its surrounding plantations to learn the ins and outs of coffee farming in the region. You’ll see coffee plants being cultivated in the hillsides and get a chance to taste a local brew.

Things to know before you go

• Birders: pack your binoculars. The lake is a hive of activity for winged creatures.

• For big-ticket mammal sightings, you’ll need to head to the surrounding forests. Python Island is named after its resident snake population, but sightings are scarce.

• The lake is home to mostly African clawless otters and amphibians, so is safe for swimming—no hippos or crocodiles to watch out for here.

• Canoe rides often include swimming stops, so be sure to bring a bathing suit and change of clothes.

How to get there

Although Mutanda Lake is located in Uganda, the nearest airport is Kigali International Airport across the border in Rwanda—3 hours away by car. Alternatively, you can fly from Entebbe in Uganda to Kihihi and then continue by car toward the lake, which typically takes several hours or more. Mutanda Lake is only a 45-minute drive from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, making it a great starting point for mountain gorilla and golden lion treks.

When to get there

Lake Mutanda enjoys temperate weather year-round, but the best time to visit is during the two dry seasons—from June through August and December through February—when the forest trails are easiest to navigate. For canoe cruises, the morning hours are most popular as that’s when the lake is the calmest. The lake’s colors at sunrise are particularly stunning.

Meet the Indigenous Batwa people—stewards of the land

Many guided excursions near Lake Mutanda include a chance to meet with local Batwa communities. Also known as pygmies, the Batwa are the rainforest’s Indigenous inhabitants and traditionally live as hunter-gatherers. They maintain unique cultural traditions and have a wealth of Indigenous knowledge about the forest. However, their existence has been threatened by the establishment of national parks for gorilla tourism. You can push back by spending time with Batwa communities and highlighting their role as stewards and knowledge-keepers.