Lake Mutanda – Canoeing

Lake Mutanda is a popular destination for canoeing in western Uganda and strategically located in Kisoro District in south western Uganda near the gorilla park. The volcanic Lake gives you a chance to canoe around the shores with chance of sighting land scape, hills, communities and some bird species.  Lake Mutanda is home to a number of lodges at the shores giving you a fabulous experience on your safaris.

The lake is nestled in the foothills of the virunga Mountain range in the albertine rift at an altitude of 1,800 meters, the three volcanoes within the range, that are partly located in Uganda, namely: Mount Muhabura, Mount Sabinyo and Mount Gahinga, can be viewed from Lake Mutanda. There are several islands in the lake and the lake is drained by the Rutshuru River, which flows northwards to Lake Edward.

The environment on the islands within the lake and the surrounding countryside includes lakeside forests and wetland habouring the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in the nearby Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the lakeside environment accommodates a variety of unique animal and plant species. Bird species include kingfisher birds, kites, ibis and Uganda’s national bird (crown crested crane), the crested crane, weaver bird nests are also sited along the lake . The lake shore is home to species of chameleon, monitor lizard and frog species, insect life as well and the mammals found in Lake Mutanda include the African clawless otter among others.

The climate of Lake Mutanda is a mix of a cool and sunny environment. Other attractions include the extinct volcanoes of the virunga like Muhabura and Mgahinga as well visiting some small islands for the islanders.

How to Access Lake Mutanda

From Kampala, which is Uganda’s capital, it takes about 8 to 9 hours to lake Mutanda in western Uganda.

Lake Mutanda is 20 kilometres from Kisoro town and Kabale (1 to 2 hours drive.)  From Rwanda, using the Chanika border takes an about 35 minutes to reach the Lake.

Activities in the Area

Mountain Biking, Swimming, fishing, village walks and bird watching. 

Before swimming in Lake Mutanda always inquire from your guide for assistance, the lake could also be termed as a good bird haven at some locations.

It can be combined with gorilla trekking and hiking the Virunga volcanoes on the Ugandan side.

Sample trips for Lake Mutanda

2 Day Gorilla Trekking From Kigali

3 Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Experience

3 Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Fly in

4 Day Gorilla Tracking and Volcanoe Hiking