3 Day Precursor
Mother of all Treks
Mama Bena's Bonus
2 Day Canoe Trek
Get floored by local hospitality as you paddle, hike and camp around Lake Bunyonyi. In three days you will touch on all major islands and both coasts of the lake. The two nights will be spent with amazing families in the villages, in fully-equipped tents pitched on their compounds. [Mama Bena’s Bonus + Bwambari Homestay island overnight and a craftmaker visit]
Monogram Tours
Facts
Duration.
3 Days
Difficulty.
Hard
Area.
West coast + east coast + major islands
Departures.
Daily at 9am
Distance.
39 km/24 mi (43% by dugout canoe)
Price.
USD 390 per person (USD 600 when one person only)
Includes.
DAY 1
(Rutinda — Bunyonyi Islands — Mama Bena’s Home)
Daily Estimates
- Distance: 10 km/6 mi (90% by dugout canoe)
- Minimum altitude: 1,960 m/6,430 ft
- Maximum altitude: 2,020 m/6,720 ft
DAY 2
(Mama Bena’s Home — Karembe Hill — Bwambari Homestay)
Some metres before the Rwandan border you will find a steep slope that rises into Karembe Hill (2,478 m/8,130ft). One needs approximately an hour to deal with the most challenging part. Afterwards the climb is much more gentle and enjoyable – in 30 minutes you will reach the top and have a lavish picnic there, enjoying the view of Muhavura, a volcano shared by Rwanda and Uganda.
The gradual descent back to Bunyonyi, will take three to four hours. You will be entertained by a top-quality performance of Bakiga dances and encounter a makeshift craft shop that local women open just for us.
Our dugouts will be waiting at the Bufundi peninsula and the ride to Bwambari and Bwambari Homestay will be just some minutes long. A late evening swim will cool down your body, a night meal with a local family will pacify your stomachs. And then … a campfire with a chat about traditional beliefs (ghosts included)!
Daily Estimates
- Distance: 22 km/14 mi (10% by dugout canoe)
- Minimum altitude: 1,960 m/6,430 ft
- Maximum altitude: 2,480 m/8,130 ft
DAY 3
(Bwambari Homestay — Annah’s Home — Rutinda)
After breakfast Tom will take you for a walk to the top of Bwambari and hear about the islands’ history. A canoe route close to Upside Down Island will be a good excuse to hear its unbelievable story.
The rest of the morning will be spent at Kyabahinga peninsula, where Mrs Annah will demonstrate how local crafts are made. By lunch time you will be back at Rutinda for a tasty buffet lunch that will complete the experience.
Daily Estimates
- Distance: 7 km/4 mi (80% by dugout canoe)
- Minimum altitude: 1,960 m/6,430 ft
- Maximum altitude: 2,100 m/6,900 ft
Choosing us supports pioneering non-profit initiatives by Monogram Tours Experts.
Highlights
- Spend a full day dugout canoeing on a phenomenal lake
- Camp at two unforgettable village homestays
- Island-hop through flora and fauna, history and legends
- Feast at a mountaintop picnic with volcano views
- Admire exceptional cultural dancers high in the hills
- Experience a field craft shop open just for you
- Enjoy a hearty final meal at Rutinda
- Try traditional craft making
