Upside Down Island of Lake Bunyonyi

The Upside Island of Lake Bunyonyi is a natural treasure every enthusiastic nature lover shouldn’t miss visiting on Uganda safari. Are you interested in the off-beaten path to discover the beauty of mother nature? There are many places to visit on safari in Uganda, but there are a million reasons why the Upside island of Lake Bunyonyi also most popular as Bucuranuka Island should be a must-visit.

Bucuranuka Island/Upside down Island is one of the 29 Islands that are distributed within Lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi, which is found in Kabale, Southwestern Uganda is Uganda’s deepest Lake and in Africa, it falls under the second position.

Lake-Bunyonyi-Kabale

Legends have it that this island claimed lots of life. A group of 20 men was brewing sorghum beer on Bucuranuka Island when an elderly woman passing by asked for a sip, “can I you offer me some local beer?” They wrongly thought that she was the usual beggar and they told her “Get lost beggar! Get lost.” Instead, she requested for someone to take her on a boat to the mainland which they accepted considering the fact that they wanted to get rid off her.

When she was delivered to the mainland by the young man, and by the time he was supposed to get back, the island turn upside down. As a result, everyone onboard was drowned excluding the chicken that flew away and survived. Lake Bunyonyi Islands hold lots of mysteries worth discovering, some of which, include that of Bucuranuka Island.

Where is Lake Bunyonyi located?

Lake Bunyonyi lies in Kabale, the Southwestern side of Uganda. Getting to the island is possible in a 4×4 drive vehicle or public transport, setting off from Kampala via the Mbarara-Kabale route, about 8-9 hours drive.

Other islands on Lake Bunyonyi

Akampeine Island

Also, most popular as the Punishment Island, Akampeine is the most famous of the 29 islands dotted on Lake Bunyonyi. It is also the smallest of the islands and known for its distinct history. It is on this island where the young girls who got pregnant out of wedlock were abandoned. Many died because of this tradition since they were left to starve and die on the Island. The traditional practice was then stopped and today, the punishment island has become one of the tourist attractions for visitors on Uganda safaris at Lake Bunyonyi or Kabale.

Bwana Island

Bwana is the biggest of the 29 Islands on Lake Bunyonyi. It is famous as Leprosy Treatment Sanctuary and many people come here to see the remains of what was considered as the Leprosy Hospital. Leprosy Treatment Centre was set up by a Scottish missionary in the 1920s and 1930s.

Kyahugye Island

This is popular as the wildlife wonder of the 29 islands found on Lake Bunyonyi. A good number of wildlife can be spotted here, especially impalas, zebras, waterbucks and others.

Bushara Island

For birders, Bushara Island is the right place to head to while at Lake Bunyonyi. It is perhaps one of the spots that make the island a birders paradise/place of little birds.

Other islands in Uganda includes the Ssese Islands, an archipelago consisting of over 84 islands on Lake Victoria. The Ssese Islands exist in the Northwestern side of Lake Victoria, Uganda one of the best places to go for a honeymoon holiday