Lake Mutanda

Location

The lake is located in Kisoro District in southwestern Uganda, approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of the town of Kisoro, where the district headquarters are located. This location is approximately 454 kilometres (282 mi), by road, southwest of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. The coordinates of Lake Mutanda are:01 14 06S, 29 40 12E (Latitude:-1.2350; Longitude:29.6700).

Overview

It is nestled in the foothills of the Virunga Mountain Range, at an altitude of 1,800 metres (5,900 ft). The three volcanoes within the range, that are partly located in Uganda, namely: Mount Muhabura, Mount Sabinyo and Mount Gahinga, can be viewed from Lake Mutanda. There are several islands in the lake. The lake is drained by the Rutshuru River, which flows northward to Lake Edward.

Flora and fauna

The environment on the islands within the lake and the surrounding countryside includes lakeside forests and wetland habitats that provide a haven for the endangered mountain gorilla.

In addition to the mountain gorilla and golden monkey in the nearby Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the lakeside environment accommodates a variety of animal and plant species, unique to this area. Bird species include kingfisher birds, kites, ibis and Uganda's national bird, the crested crane. Weaver bird nests are a common site among the reeds along the lake shore.

In addition to the abundant and varied avian species, the lake shore supports several species of snake, chameleon, monitor lizard and frog species. There is a varied and abundant supply of insect life as well. The mammals unique to Lake Mutanda include the African clawless otter. Hippopotamus was endemic to the area, but were last sighted at Lake Mutanda in 1994.