Lake Mutanda is a small Freshwater Lake in Kisoro, southwestern Uganda. The lake is nestled in the foothills of the Virunga mountain ranges (Mount Gahinga, Muhavura, Sabinyo) which can all be seen clearly from the lake.

Like Lake Bunyonyi, Mutanda is in an ideal location near one of the places where you can see mountain gorillas in the wild. This has led to its rapid popularity as a stopover rest stop for people who are coming to do gorilla trekking or intending to climb the mountains near the lake.

The Lakes glistening waters, small islands and cool climate are perfect for any kind of relaxation or getaway.

Activities

On your visit to Uganda's Lake Mutanda in Kisoro, you can enjoy any of the following activities.

  • Hiking
  • Mountain Climbing
  • Canoeing
  • Bird watching
  • Swimming
  • Batwa (pygmy) Cultural experience
  • Cave exploration
  • Island hopping
  • Paddleboarding 
  • Photography
  • Camping

When To Visit

Lake Mutanda can be visited all throughout the year but the best time is during the dry season months between June and September. Since most activities around this area are quite physical, the rain can add an extra touch of difficulty and Kisoro gets a lot of rain.

The dry season months are also ideal for the most popular tourist activity in the region, and all of Uganda - gorilla trekking.

Related article: Best time to visit Uganda for holiday

Getting There

Lake Mutanda is located around 450 kilometres southwest of Kampala, Uganda's capital. By road, the drive takes around 8 hours to move from Kampala to Kisoro.

Since western Uganda is a popular destination for wildlife, most tours usually stop at other places and then continue to Kisoro.

Alternatively, Lake Mutanda can be reached by domestic flight from Entebbe to Kisoro. The domestic flights can also be from other popular destinations in Uganda such as Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks.

Where To Stay

There is plenty of accommodation options in Lake Mutanda to choose from. Whether you want the luxury lodge or to camp under the night sky, you will have plenty to choose from.

Since Kisoro town is nearby, it is an extra option for accommodation and a bit of local nightlife.