Lake Chahafi

Lake Chahafi is a hidden Crater Lake in Kisoro. It isn’t very popular just like most small Crater Lakes. Often tourists on Uganda safaris in Kisoro or the Southwestern part of the Pearl of Africa visit to see mountain gorillas, and golden monkeys or hike volcanoes in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. A visit to Lake Chahafi never leaves guests with regrets.

Waking up on the scenic shores of Lake Chahafi leaves a lasting memory and this is every traveler’s dream. This is one of the charming Crater Lakes you should expect to visit in Southwestern Uganda, especially in Kisoro District. Not our guests guaranteed of the relaxed environment but also the sweet melodies of different birds.

Lake Chahafi is spectacular yet it is the least explored by travelers on Uganda safari excursions in the Kigezi area. After gorilla safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park/Mgahinga National Park, most travelers consider visiting Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mutanda. Lake Chahafi holds something special for enthusiastic travelers in search of new destinations to explore.

Lake Chahafi is credited for its diverse species of birds. The common birds to find/identify on a tour in Lake Chahafi include African jacana, blue-headed coucal, lesser jacanas, swamp warblers, moorhen, black crake, common moorhen, malachite kingfishers, and more. You can also visit the nearby Echuya Forest Reserve, an area that holds a huge Batwa pygmy population in the surrounding.

Other than touring the Lake, it is possible for travelers to also embark on farm tours in the nearby farmlands or go on fishing tours and sail on the Lake. This Crater Lake also holds a remarkable colonial history worth sharing. During the 2nd World War, there was a need for colonialists to control the area.

In 1914, the joint forces of the British and Belgians established their base to prevent Germans from taking over the region. It is in this same area where Bafumbira tribal leader – Katuregye repulsed the British imperialist approaches. Katuregye and his subjects were inspired by the native Nyabingi religious movement that claimed the spirits of the land would help them challenge the colonialists. You will also be told an interesting story about he was subdued.

Location

Lake Chahafi lies in the Kigezi region, a region dubbed The Switzerland of Uganda. Kigezi is a rugged mountainous area and experiences a Mediterranean kind of climate. Lake Chahafi is positioned in one of the scenic areas in Uganda. To its Eastern side, there is a twin lake –Lake Kayumbu. In between these charming lakes, guests can overview the scenic hills in the surrounding.

Getting to Lake Chahafi

Lake Chahafi is 20km off from Mt. Muhabura, Sabyinyo and Gahinga. From Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, it is not more than 20km and you can combine your expedition to this Crater Lake and gorilla tours or golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.