Kanungu Town is located in the Kigezi region of Uganda, covering an area of about 1,234 square kilometers. It is bordered by Kabale, Kisoro, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rukungiri District.
The people of Kanungu practice subsistence farming, with bananas, tea, and coffee being the main crops grown.
Kanungu District is home to one of the most visited national parks in Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The town is not highly developed, giving visitors an authentic insight into the traditional African countryside. Initially part of Kabale District, Kanungu became a separate district in 2001.
Kanungu is also one of the more scenic places to visit in Uganda, with its hills and valleys, and terrain marked by views of plantations along the way.
The Kanungu Tragedy
There is a tragic story associated with Kibwetere Joseph in Kanungu District. In 2000, he led over 30,000 followers.
Around March of that year, Kibwetere prophesied that the world would come to an end.
Tragically, about 1,000 members of his church, the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God, died in a mass killing.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is just a 45 kilometer drive from Kanungu. The park is home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority has habituated over ten gorilla groups, and each group can be visited by a maximum of 8 tourists per day.
Twenty percent of the income earned from gorilla trekking is allocated to benefit the people of Kanungu.
Gorilla trekking costs $800 per person and provides the opportunity to observe these great apes for an hour.
Gorilla habituation is another activity available in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. It costs $1,500 and involves joining researchers and scientists as they help gorillas grow accustomed to human presence.
This activity is a better fit for those who want more time with the apes, since it lasts four hours.
Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi, also known as the “Lake of Little Birds,” is located in neighboring Kabale District. It is the perfect place to relax after a demanding gorilla trekking safari.
Renowned as the second deepest lake in Africa, Lake Bunyonyi offers various tourist activities such as bird watching, boat cruises, swimming, sport fishing, canoeing, guided nature walks, biking, and hiking.
The lake is made up of 29 islands, each with a fascinating history worth exploring.
The People of Kanungu
The inhabitants of Kanungu District include the Bahororo and Bakiga people. The Bahororo are a small nomadic Bantu tribe tracing their origins to the Cush Kingdom, in modern-day Ethiopia.
They are related to the Tutsi of Rwanda and place high value on cattle. The Bakiga, who migrated to the area from Kigezi and Rukungiri Districts, are agriculturalists relying on subsistence farming.
Both tribes have unique lifestyles and traditions, and visitors can explore their homesteads, enjoy traditional dances, and learn about their day-to-day lives.
Tea Factories
Kanungu District has two main tea factories: Kigezi Development Tea Factory and Kayonza Tea Factory.
Visitors can tour these factories to see how tea is processed from the garden to the cup.
Kanungu tea is considered some of the best in the world, and can be purchased at an affordable price to take home for loved ones.
Visit the Kisiizi Waterfalls
The Kisiizi Waterfalls, though not located within Kanungu, are nearby and worth a visit. Found on the Kyabamba River, the waterfalls cascade 27 meters down an escarpment.
Historically, the site was associated with a tragic practice in which girls who became pregnant out of wedlock were thrown off the cliff by family members.
Today, the waterfalls are a picturesque spot for photography, bird watching, and forest walks.
Where to Sleep
Kanungu offers a variety of accommodation options, including Ruhija Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, and Gorilla Safari Lodge, among others.
Best Time to Visit
Kanungu District can be visited year round. However, the best time for gorilla trekking is during the dry months of June to September and December to February, when roads to the park are easily accessible and hiking trails are less muddy and slippery.
How to Get There
Kanungu can be reached from Kampala with an 8 hour drive. Alternatively, you can fly into Rwanda and drive for about 5 hours to Kanungu. Another option is flying to Kihihi Airstrip for a shorter journey.
