• About WordPress
    • WordPress.org
    • Documentation
    • Learn WordPress
    • Support
    • Feedback
  • Log In
  • News
  • The Virungas
  • Lake Bunyonyi
  • Congo Nile Trail
  • Pocket Guide
  • Illumineers
  • Tours
    Sign in
    • News
    • The Virungas
    • Lake Bunyonyi
    • Congo Nile Trail
    • Pocket Guide
    • Illumineers
    • Tours

    Lake Mutanda /Uganda/

    altitude: 1,792 m/5,879 ft
    max length – width: 10 km/6 mi – 3 km/2 mi
    depth: 56 m/184 ft

    Lake Mutanda and Lake Mulehe north of Kisoro are a set of twin lakes in southwestern Uganda. An otter habitat, Lake Mutanda used to harbour hippos as well, however, extensive hunting made them completely disappear by the 1990s.

    Mutanda boasts six bigger islands; most notorious among them is Kyangushu that used to be a burial site to avoid bringing bad luck to the mainland -– bones remain visible from the lake surface. As it is common in the Gorilla Highlands region, one of the islands, Gahiza, traditionally served as a punishment island for pregnant unmarried girls.

    Related articles:

    Smaller Twins Are Handsome Too

    Three pretty sets of twin lakes can be found nestled on the Rwandan and Ugandan side of the Virungas, and we usually spin tales about…

    musanze_team 28 June 2025

    5 Historical and Cultural Curiosities of Lake Mutanda

    Lying in between Uganda’s Mgahinga and Bwindi National Parks, Lake Mutanda is a handy spot to relax after your gorilla tracking. There is much more…

    musanze_team 1 May 2025
    1 Comment

    The Joys & Trials of Visiting 14 Kisoro Accommodations

    Imagine enjoying breakfast on a little island bathed in gorgeous morning sunshine — who wouldn’t love that? The tasty eats on Gahiza Island were the…

    Gorilla Highlands Experts 18 July 2024
    3 Comments

    Why Choose Uganda and Rwanda over Tanzania and Kenya?

    70mm, f/8.0, 1/400s, ISO125 Every place has its charms and attractions, and Kenya and Tanzania certainly received their fair share. For sheer volume of large…

    Marcus 3 November 2021
    1 Comment

    Little-Known Hiking Overnights in Southwestern Uganda

    I am Levi Ayebare, 28, and I have been working with Gorilla Highlands Experts on the Ugandan side of the region as a tecnico. This…

    Levi 12 August 2021
    1 Comment

    Our Gorilla Trek Well Beyond Gorillas

    Strange enough, it all started in Prague. It was summer 2009, my wife Marta and I were in town for our vacations, and decided to pay…

    Stefano 11 August 2021

    Slapped by a Gorilla: 30 Ultimate Hiking Images

    We are back into lockdowns and travel restrictions throughout the Gorilla Highlands region, so we remember last month especially fondly. May 2021 was the go-time…

    ML Rwebandira 29 June 2021
    4 Comments

    Top 5 Prettiest Lakes of the Gorilla Highlands Region

    From the ice-cold waters between Rwanda and Uganda atop Mt Muhabura to the colourful bays of Bukavu, the Gorilla Highlands region is blessed with numerous bodies of water.…

    ML Rwebandira 14 May 2021
    ARTICLE SERIES

    Attractions of the Gorilla Highlands region

    Staying Safe and Healthy in Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo

    Frequently Asked Questions

    News Categories

    Home  •  Our Region in 7 Short Videos  •  About Gorilla Highlands Experts  •  Gorilla Highlands Ltd (sister org)  •  Volunteer  •  Contact Us © 2025 Gorilla Highlands Experts