Lake Wankenzi is among the numerous volcanic crater lakes scattered in western Uganda, especially in Kasenda crater lakes region. The region offers visitors a chance to explore the beauty around Kibale – Ndali – Kasenda crater area.
About Wankenzi
This lake is one of the five grouped lakes that run about 2km south of Kasenda trading center, which lies west from Lake Murigamire. These are adjoining a forest, in a circular walk of roughly 10-12km starting and ending at Kasenda. If one is more ambitious, they can continue south of Murukomba. Visitors can cover lakes like Kasenda, Mutusi and Murigamire in a circular day walk of roughly 6km, southeast of Kasenda trading center.
Lake Wankenzi is surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the rain forest and undulating terrain that lies on a high elevation of Kibale – Ndali – Kasenda crater area. The area is surrounded by a landscape of 360 degrees, that’s why it is termed as ‘the top of the world’, because one can view all the surrounding area, that is dotted with several explosion craters.
Lake Wankenzi is an extensive volcanic activity that followed the formation of the Great East African Rift Valley resulted into formation of several craters along with the western and eastern wings of the rift valley. There are about 89 small volcanic crater lakes along the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains grouped into four clusters (Fort Portal area, Kasenda area, Katwe-Kikorongo area, and Bunyaruguru area).
The lake is among the few crater lakes that have sulphuric water which is green in color, which means that the volcanic activity below the lake is still taking place. As a result, this forms the toxic associated with the bad pungent smell from the acidic water. Lake Wankenzi is salty with no oxygen, which leads to the absence of quantic animals.
Activities Around Lake Wankenzi
Such activities do not take place within the lake, including fishing, swimming and others. However, due to a dramatic landscape under the steep undulating hills within the area, Lake Wankenzi provides a good area for hiking, nature walks, beautiful photography, sightseeing and bird watching. The environment also favors full tranquility for a picnics, since it is remarkable for nature walking opportunities, within the surrounding community. This allows you to explore areas between Lake Nyabikere and Kibale Forest.
Accommodation varies from upmarket to budget facilities overlooking the crater lakes within an easy reach for hikes. Eco-Lodge Campsite is among the accommodation facilities that lie at the rim of the spectacular Lake Kifuruka.
Besides this lake, Uganda as the Pearl of Africa on the East African block, Rwanda has now become a Remarkable Destinations that the world is just learning about Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes. The country also offers wildlife adventures in Akagera National Park that is now a home for the big game in Rwanda.