Crater Lakes In Kibale Forest National Park

Crater Lakes In Kibale Forest National Park : Kibale forest national park is a tropical rainforest in the western region near Fort Portal and Kasese in Uganda. It is about 350km from Kampala and takes a 6-hour drive to reach the park. It is popular for its primate species that inhabit the forests. These include chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, galagos, bush babies, and many others. You can also see other animals like Elephants, Warthogs, Pottos, Pangolins, and various bird species among others. Kibale National Park has a collection of several crater lakes within the park premises in the area within the Rift Valley region

The Ndali-Kasenda crater area is a natural paradise off-the-beaten track as it takes you to the crater lakes- another hidden pearl from the common attraction areas in Uganda. The Ndali-Kasenda Crater Lake area is located near the two most important National Parks in Uganda; Kibale Forest National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Formation of the crater lakes

The Crater Lakes in Ndali-Kasenda area were formed during the ancient volcanic activity that took place over 10000 years ago leaving behind calderas that later formed the scenic crater lakes in the Kibale-Ndali-Kasenda area. Though some of the crater lakes are flooded with unbelievably clear water, most of these lakes are characterized by a sulphuric smell and green toxic water.

The crater lakes in Ndali-kasenda crater region include;

Lake Nkuruba.

Situated 25 Km south of Fort Portal, this lake is one of the most spectacular Crater Lakes in Kibale with impressive Uganda walking safaris offering incredible scenery. The lake lies around the beautiful landscape of the Rwenzori Mountains and Kibale National Park. The indigenous forest surrounds Lake Nkuruba and it supports an abundance of wildlife. Deforestation has not affected its surroundings hence making it a unique area. Lake Nkuruba has a nature reserve that acts as a community conservation project. It helps the local community to have progressive education by funding the schools in the community.

Lake Nyabikyere

Also translated as the Lake of the Frogs in the local language, Lake Nyabikere is 11km and 100 meters distance from Fort Portal main road and 18km to Kibale National Park. It is a 30-minute drive on Kamwenge Road and the closest lake to Fort Portal town. Therefore, it is possible to walk from Lake Nyabikere to Lake Nkuruba passing via Nyamirima Crater Lake. Alternatively, you can use the local fishing boats to transfer you from one lake to another.

The lake offers beautiful scenery in the area. You can take part in bird watching through the walking trail around the lake. Other things to do include guided community walks through the nearby villages

Lake Nyinambuga

This is a crater lake in the Kibale Ndali-Kasenda which you find a few kilometers south of Lake Nkuruba. Nyinambuga Lake has the most spectacular water bodies with blue and green water. The surrounding forests in the park give stunning views of nature. Lake Nyinambuga also appears at the back of the twenty thousand shillings note of Uganda.

Because of its pure waters, it is a special and lovely lake in the National Park. Primate, bird, butterfly, and animal species can be found in the lake’s lush surroundings. The well-known Ndali Lodge, located on Lake Nyinambuga Ridge, is the greatest lodge in the region. It provides excellent beautiful views, cozy beds, and first-rate services, including meals and beverages, to make guests feel at home during their safari.

Lake Lyantonde

This Crater Lake is on the west of Lake Nyinambuga and is the most convenient Crater Lake in the Kibale Ndali-Kasenda craters. Lake Lyantonde offers activities like hiking which gives you a wonderful experience that supplements the chimpanzee tracking activity while on the safari in kibale forest National Park. The Crater Lake features the Papaya Lodge which offers a wide range of activities to visitors who want to explore Kibale National Park. From here, you can do chimpanzee tracking, chimpanzee habituation experience, and birding among others, and the papaya lodge.

Lake Kifuruka

This Crater Lake is located 24 kilometers from Fort Portal, west of Lake Nyinambuga, and leads to Lake Lyantonde. Walking tours, kayaking, fishing, and bird viewing are just a few of the activities available at Lake Kifuruka. This provides a stunning picturesque view of the woodland and the surrounding landscape. The lake features a community-owned eco-lodge that provides a peaceful, cool, and cozy setting for guests to unwind in while on safari, allowing them to experience the Kibale Ndali-Kasenda crater lakes and Kibale National Park.

Ndali-Kasenda has other crater lakes which include Lake Nyamasagari, lake Ntambi, lake Mubiro, lake Nyanswiga, and Lake Nyinabulitwa among others.

Activities around kibale Ndali-Kasenda crater lakes

Bird watching

More than 350 different bird species can be seen in Kibale National Park. They can be found in the trees that around the lakes in the Ndali-Kasenda crater as well as close to the bodies of water. During the Uganda safari on the lakes, those who enjoy birds will be able to identify several bird species. These include, among others, the Western tinker bird, Pittas, Papyrus gonolek, Olive long-tailed cuckoo, Great Blue Turaco, Black-and-White casqued hornbill, White-winged Warbler, and Grey parrot.

Nature walks

In contrast to Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Crater Lakes, Kibale Ndali-Kasenda’s crater lakes are accessible by foot. Hiking to the top of the world provides breathtaking views of Kibale National Park, Lake George, the Rwenzori Mountains, the crater lakes, and tea plantations, among other places. Around Nyinabulitwa Crater Lake, there are guided nature treks that lead to a forest tree house where guests may see a variety of wildlife, including monkeys, animals, birds, and landscapes.

Cycling

Ndali-Kasenda Crater Lakes offers guided cycling activities to visitors who want to move around the lakes on bikes. The guides offer help to the visitors by showing them the trails to the lakes, and neighboring communities. They help you to spot different primates, animals, and bird species while on your cycling activity. This makes the cycling safari more exciting and memorable for the visitors.

Primate watching

There are 13 species of primates in Kibale National Park. Thus, several of these primates will be seen by safari guests in the Ndali-Kasenda crater lakes. Red colobus monkeys, Black and White colobus monkeys, Red-tailed and Vervet monkeys, Chimpanzees, and other animals like elephants and warthogs are among the four primate species that can be seen near Lake Nkuruba. These animals add interest and excitement to safaris in Kibale Ndali-Kasenda crater lakes.

Conclusion

western Uganda is dotted with various extinct volcanoes known as  ‘explosion craters with the main concentrations of Katwe Explosion Craters in Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Bunyaraguru crater area on the Kichwamba escarpment, the Ndali-Kasenda area near Kibale National Park, and some others around Fort Portal and they are worth including in your travel plan.