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Crater Lakes Tour in Kibale National Park
A crater lakes tour in Kibale National Park is one of the thrilling encounters visitors undertake after their Chimpanzee trekking safaris.
Usually, this lovely adventure gives travelers an opportunity of exploring some of the beautiful and unique crater lakes in Uganda!
Most of these scenic crater lakes are adjacent to Kibale Forest National Park, in Kabarole district, around Fort Portal city- the cleanest town in Uganda!
You’ll have dramatic scenery of the surrounding areas including magnificent views of Kibale Forest during this thrilling adventure. Also, you’ll have great views of the Rwenzori Mountains and most of the picturesque hills around.
The scenery is just superb for photoshoots!
Normally, crater lakes in the Ndali Kasenda Crater region are visited. This region comprises about 60 beautiful explosion craters, believed to have formed about 8-10,000 years ago in the area.
Some contain fresh water and others are just empty depressions. Among these gorgeous lakes, some emit volcanic gasses and contain toxic green-coloured water.
Among others, Lake Nkuruba, Lake Kifuruka, Lake Nyabikere, and Lake Nyinambuga are usually visited and can only be accessed on foot.
For a memorable experience on your crater lakes tour in Kibale, you can decide to undertake a boat ride or do mountain biking just to explore the scenic beauty of these crater lakes.
Simply, on your Uganda tours in Kibale park, you should endeavour to make a crater lake tour!
Here Are A Must Not Miss Crater Lakes On Your Kibale Crater Lakes Tour
Most of the crater lakes visited on your Kibale crater lakes tour are in Ndali Kasenda Crater Area. It’s a region comprising over 60 dazzling explosion craters!
They’re believed to have formed about 8-10,000 years ago as a result of violent volcanic eruptions that happened in the area.
Among the commonly visited Kibale Ndali Kasenda Craters include:
Lake Nyabikere
This ranks among the most visited crater lakes by most visitors on Uganda tours in Kibale Forest. Lake Nyabikere is situated about 11km off Fort Portal Highway, along the road to Kibale Forest National Park.
Locals call it Nyabikere translated as the “Lake of Frogs”. This is due to the great number of frogs found in this area!
On the hike to this lake, you’ll have fabulous views of tea plantations and undisputable views of the Mountains of the moon.
Lake Nkuruba
Lake Nkuruba is also among the striking crater lakes you shouldn’t miss on your crater lakes tour in Kibale National Park. It’s 25km, south of Fort Portal. It is easily accessible!
A walk to Lake Nkuruba is the most captivating hike you should endeavour to supplement on your Uganda Chimpanzee trekking safari in Kibale.
This picturesque hike will take you to the beautiful Mahoma Falls and also to the “Top of the World”. A Top of the Word is the highest point in the area! While here, you’ll have breathtaking views of Kibale Forest and several craters below you.
You’ll truly feel as if you are at the top of the world!
On this thrilling hike, you’ll also have great views of Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Mountains of the moon.
Lake Nyinambuga
You shouldn’t miss visiting Lake Nyinambuga while on your Kibale crater lakes tour, as it’s among the most striking crater lakes in Uganda!
This lake is situated south of Lake Nkuruba and it’s wonderfully surrounded by a lush forest which adds to its unmatched beauty. Uganda primate species such as Baboons, Black-and-white Colobuses, and Vervet Monkeys, can be seen in this forest.
Note:
Due to the stunning beauty of its blue waters and lovely forests surrounding it, this lake got portrayed on the 20,000 UGX note. This was done to represent the wonderful scenery of Uganda.
On your crater lakes tour in Kibale, having nature walks around this lake is the best way of exploring its outstanding beauty.
Lake Kifuruka
Lake Kifuruka is also one of the beautiful lakes you shouldn’t miss out on your tour of crater lakes in Kibale National Park.
This lake ranks among the amazing crater lakes in Uganda having green water- implying that it holds acidic water. As a result, no swimming and fishing activities take place here!
For a remarkable experience on your Kibale Uganda crater lakes tour, you’re encouraged to undertake a boat ride on this mysterious lake.
While on this boat ride, our expert local guide will explain to you the Geography behind its green water. You’ll also have a golden opportunity of knowing the formation of Kibale Ndali Kasenda Crater Lakes.
It’s situated west of Lake Nyinambuga before Lake Lyantonde, nearly 26km from Fort Portal town, via Fort Portal-Kasenda Road.
Lake Lyantonde
On your crater lakes tour in Kibale park, Lake Lyantonde shouldn’t be left out! It is a gorgeous lake situated on the west of Lake Nyinambuga.
A thrilling adventure hike to this admirable lake offers you intense views of the lovely hills and lavish green forest canopy that surround the lake! Also, along the trail, you’ll encounter numerous wildlife of Uganda counting birds among others.
Note:
On your crater lake tour in Kibale National Park, other lovely craters to explore include:
- Lake Nyamasagani
- Lake Mubiro
- Lake Ntambi
- Lake Nyanswingwa and,
- Lake Nyamusagani.
For a memorable experience on your Uganda Chimpanzee tour in Kibale park, you’re encouraged to undertake the Kibale crater lakes tour. It’s an exciting adventure giving you an opportunity of exploring some of the most scenic crater lakes in Uganda.
The hikes are picturesque, and ideal for photo shoots! This is more especially the hike to the “Top of the World”, the highest point in the region. Among the commonly visited scenic crater lakes include, Lake Nyabikere, Lake Nkuruba and Lake Nyinambuga, etc.
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FAQs About The Crater Lakes Tour In Kibale National Park
How Were Kibale Crater Lakes Formed?
The craters lakes in Uganda Kibale park (Ndali Kasenda Crater Lakes) are said to have formed as a result of volcanicity in the area. These violent eruptions are believed to have happened about 8-10,000 years ago.
Violent volcanic eruptions blew off the land surface, leaving behind depressions called craters. Some have been filled with water from rain forming scenic crater lakes while others are just empty depressions.
A few of the Kibale Ndali Kasenda Crater Lakes hold clean water for swimming and fishing. Most lakes produce a sulphuric odour and have emerald-green toxic water.
Note:
Debris from the volcanic eruption formed a wonderful rim around the crater depressions, perfect for nature walks.
Can You Swim While On Your Kibale Crater Lakes Tour?
While undertaking your Kibale crater lakes tour, you’re reminded that most of Ndari Kasenda crater lakes are acidic!
Some of these lakes have green toxic waters and radiate Sulphuric smell. As a result, you’re warned from jumping into any lake here before knowing whether it’s safe for you to swim.
What Is The Best Season For Having A Crater Lake Tour In Kibale National Park?
The Kibale crater lakes tour is possible all time of the year. However, as experts, we recommend a dry season of June-August and December- February. During these months the trails are drier and minimum rainfall is expected in the area.
March-May and September-November are rainy months in the area thus, rainfall is expected most hours of the day. Also, the trails might get a bit challenging to hike.
Despite the mud, rainy months can be ideal for traveller undertaking Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale. During this time, there’s a lot of food in the forest.
Therefore, Chimpanzees are easily spotted as they don’t move deeper into the forest looking for food as it’s the case in dry months!
What To Pack For Crater Lakes Tour In Kibale National Park?
Since the Kibale crater lakes tour is usually an additional activity on Uganda Chimpanzee safaris in Kibale Forest, the packing list is just the same.
Below is the packing list for a crater lakes tour in Kibale:
- Camera: This is so vital as it will help you capture photos of the dramatic scenery of the area. Your camera should have a large storage area to cater for many photos!
- Comfortable hiking shoes: On the hike to the crater lakes, hiking sturdy boots are recommended as the trails go through hills.
- Sunglasses: These glasses protect your eyes from direct tropical sun rays.
- A sunhat: Also, this is one of the important things to have on your Kibale crater lakes tour. It protects you from direct scorching sunlight.
- Sunscreens: These protect your skin from strong topical light rays while along the hike.
- Insect repellents: This helps to safeguard you from any possibility of biting insects like mosquitoes.
- A rain jacket: In case the rain finds you on the hike, a rain jacket will be of great value to you
- Backpack: This helps to keep all your essentials while on the hike.
What Is The Best Time Of The Day To Undertake Kibale Crater Lake Tour?
As professionals, we recommend an afternoon Kibale crater lake tour.
Generally, this adventure hike takes place after Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park, done normally in the morning. After, chimp trekking, visitors come back for lunch and relation at their lodge. In the afternoon, they embark on this hike.
What To Wear While Undertaking Kibale Uganda Crater Lakes Tour?
Visitors undertaking the Kibale crater lakes tour are encouraged to put on comfortable and nature-friendly clothes. Neutral colours are highly favoured and these include:
- Khaki, brown, and grey.
Note:
- Black is not good because it absorbs heat
- Light colours (white) are not recommended as they show up easily the dirt and dust!
- Blue can attract Tsetse flies!
