Lake Kamunzuku
| Lake Kamunzuku | |
|---|---|
| Location | Rubirizi District, Western Uganda |
| Type | Crater lake |
| Basin countries | Uganda |
| Managing agency | Uganda Wildlife Authority; Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities |
| Surface elevation | 1,272 m (4,173 ft) |
Interactive map of Lake Kamunzuku | |
Lake Kamunzuku is a crater lake in Rubirizi District, Western Uganda, bordering Queen Elizabeth National Park.[1][2]The lake is located in Nyangororo village, Bunyaruguru County, and was formed through volcanicity, similar to other crater lakes in the district.[3]Local communities traditionally believe the lake has healing properties.
Lake Kamunzuku is a protected area managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.[4][5] The lake contains clear freshwater that supports active aquatic life.[6]
Location
Lake Kamunzuku lies at an altitude of approximately 1,272 metres (4,173 ft) above sea level.[7]
Geology
The lake occupies a volcanic crater formed by past volcanic activity associated with the western branch of the East African Rift System. It is part of a cluster of crater lakes found in Bunyaruguru County.
Flora and fauna
The lake is surrounded by natural forest with overhanging trees. Wildlife reported in the area includes vervet monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, baboons, forest pigs, and a variety of bird species typical of the Albertine Rift ecosystem.[8]
Cultural significance
Among surrounding communities, Lake Kamunzuku is traditionally regarded as having spiritual or healing properties, and it features in local oral traditions.[9]
Conservation
As part of the greater Queen Elizabeth National Park ecosystem, the lake is subject to conservation regulations aimed at protecting biodiversity and preventing environmental degradation.
See also
References
- ^ "The transparent lake of Rubirizi". Monitor. 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
- ^ Reporter, NewVision (2021-08-20). "Tourism: ▶️ ECO ZONE: Lake Kamunzuku in Kasyoha-Kitomi forest". New Vision. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
- ^ "Figure 2: Seven Sisters Country Park, and Queen Elizabeth Country Park". doi:10.7717/peerj.17483/fig-2.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ "Tourism Uganda | Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities | Kampala". tourismuganda. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
- ^ "Uganda Wildlife Authority - UWA". ugandawildlife.org. 2022-04-30. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
- ^ polly (2024-03-15). "Lake Kamunzuku | Uganda Wildlife Safaris | Uganda Tours". Queen Elizabeth National Park. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
- ^ Tumwebaze, Immaculate; Clewing, Catharina; Dusabe, Marie Claire; Tumusiime, Julius; Kagoro-Rugunda, Grace; Hammoud, Cyril; Albrecht, Christian (2019-11-27). "Molecular identification of Bulinus spp. intermediate host snails of Schistosoma spp. in crater lakes of western Uganda with implications for the transmission of the Schistosoma haematobium group parasites". Parasites & Vectors. 12 (1): 565. doi:10.1186/s13071-019-3811-2. ISSN 1756-3305. PMC 6882369. PMID 31775865.
- ^ "Lake Kamunzuku in Queen Elizabeth National Park". Inside Queen Elizabeth National Park. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
- ^ admin (2024-01-25). "Lake Kamunzuku: Is God's Bath Tab in Uganda | Guide to Uganda". Retrieved 2025-12-16.
External links
0°15′44″S 30°09′23″E / 0.26222°S 30.15639°E