Lake Kamunzuku is located in western Uganda in Rubirizi District in Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest bordering Kyambura Gorge. This is on the outskirts of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Lake Kamunzuku is known as ‘the transparent lake’ and is believed to have been more transparent 20 years back. This is according to the elders in the community. They further say that many tourists used to flood the place interested in knowing what really made the lake transparent. Some went as far as its base to see what was there, but all in vain.
Rumors have it that there might be untapped minerals like gold or oil beneath the lake, which explains its transparency. Other people revealed that the rock basement on which it sits is shiny and attracts sun rays easily. When sun rays are reflected, they cause water to be transparent, making it a unique crater lake in Uganda and the whole of Africa.
The waters of Lake Kamunzuku are crystal clear because it is not served by any access river, but rather by underground natural springs. It only has outlets serving neighboring wetlands. The lake is well positioned in the forest, which enables it to harbor different bird species. Such species include ducks, fish eagles, and other wild animals. You will see chimpanzees, baboons, calabash monkeys, velvet monkeys, red barks, forest pigs, monitor lizards, and many others.
Tourist Activities at the Lake
Lake Kamunzuku attracts visitors from different regions who come to believe in their own eyes, the magic at the lake. Some of the courageous tourists go scuba-diving to have an exact experience of the uniqueness of the lake.
Residents stress that it is not easy to fish in Kamunzuku because of its transparency, so the fish can easily see the nets. They resorted to using rods, however, they are also sometimes seen by the fish. On a lucky day, one can leave with five fish, but after hard work. Tilapia and Mudfish are commonly caught from the lake.
Lake Kamunzuku is a valuable tourist site with distinctive features like crystal clear waters. The nearby hunters’ cave is where hunters from Kasyoha-Kitomi as well as fishermen roast their catch before going back home. Sometimes they light up fires and spend nights, which makes it a relaxing place for young people. You will also be in the company of women who collect firewood from Kasyoha-Kitomi as well as hunters who swim in the waters.
Getting to Lake Kamunzuku
Lake Kamunzuku is situated in the Rubirizi district in the Kasyoha-Kitomi forest reserve. This is approximately 6 hour’s drive from Kampala, Uganda’s capital city. The lake is about an hour’s drive away from the headquarters of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The lake is surrounded by Kanyambogo to the north, Kyamuhanga Tea Estate, and Ngangaro parishes in the south. Maramangambo and Kalinzu Forest Reserves are dotted in the southeastern part. Rwanjere is in the eastern part, while Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Kyambura Wildlife Reserve are in the western part.
If you are thinking of exploring Uganda in-depth, including this lake on your itinerary plan for a wildlife safari is a great addition to your experience. Lake Kamunzuku offers you relaxation as you appreciate the potential of this site.
Visitors to the park always complement their visit with a gorilla trekking safari in the nearby Bwindi Forest National Park. They usually also go for a chimpanzee trekking expedition in Kibale National Park. Others could opt for a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile to Murchison Falls.