Lake Chahafi Resort: A boutique facility that birthed Discover Virunga DMC

01/31/2024

Lake Chahafi Resort

Lake Chahafi Resort, a picturesque retreat nestled along the shores of Lake Chahafi in Kisoro, is situated in the southeastern region near the border of Rwanda. It shares its waters with Lake Kayumbu, its twin counterpart, and is conveniently located 11 kilometers away from Cyanika border and Kisoro airstrip. Additionally, it's 17 kilometers from Muhabura gate and 22 kilometers from Ntebeko gate at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Please note that the road conditions in the area may lead to an estimated one-hour transfer to Mgahinga, 30 minutes to Cyanika border and Kisoro airstrip, and a two-hour journey to Bwindi Southern sector, encompassing Nkuringo and Rushaga tracking gates.

Lake Chahafi's allure is further enhanced by its lush vegetation, which includes papyrus and water lilies that serve as a habitat for rare bird species like canaries, Lesser Jacanas, warblers, and cisticolas. It's a birdwatcher's haven with the stunning backdrop of Mount Muhabura, offering captivating sunrise and sunset views. Both Lake Chahafi and Lake Kayumbu have been restocked with Mirror carp fish, allowing for carp fishing, although the fish typically weighs less than 10 kilograms.

Lake Chahafi is dedicated to sports fishing, while Lake Kayumbu is open for livelihood fishing and thrives with bustling fishing markets in the morning. Here, you can interact with local fishermen in their dugout canoes and engage with fishmongers at the landing site, capturing both moments and fish with your camera.

The northern shore of Lake Chahafi at Murora Hill is historically significant, serving as a fortified base during World War I, where an Anglo-Belgian coalition force confronted German invaders from Rwanda on January 1st, 1915. Remnants of trenches from that era are still visible today.

As for the accommodations, Lake Chahafi Resort, spread across four acres of gently sloping land toward the lake, boasts  twelve well-established cabins. Additionally, there's a modern, standalone reception designed with a local touch and a cozy restaurant. The restaurant offers a welcoming atmosphere with glass elements and volcanic rock accents, providing a comfortable space for enjoying breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It also features a fireplace with a roaring fire to keep guests warm in changing weather conditions. Temperatures in the area typically range from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius throughout the year.

The resort offers a vibrant garden with a well-stocked bar and restaurant. The nine cabins, built ecologically with wooden floors, stand on stilts and offer en-suite bathrooms and French doors for picturesque outdoor views. Six of the cabins are double rooms, each furnished with a king-size bed and an additional single bed for exclusive twin-room arrangements. These cabins include bedside tables, lampshades, and thick bedding. Hot water bottles are provided during turndown for added comfort. The remaining three cabins are deluxe twin rooms, complete with bedside tables, reading tables, and veranda chairs for relaxation while enjoying views of the volcanoes.

The most spacious cabin is a triple cabin, covering an area of 57 square meters, ensuring ample space even with three occupants. The resort provides hot and cold showers, with connections to both hydroelectric and solar water heaters.

Activities at Lake Chahafi Resort center around the lake and the nearby Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks. Mgahinga National Park, a scenic but compact park measuring 33.4 square kilometers, offers various activities like gorilla tracking, Golden Monkey tracking, volcano hiking, and the Batwa Community trail. To reach Mgahinga from Lake Chahafi Resort takes about an hour.

For those venturing to Bwindi, an early start is recommended. The road conditions to Bwindi can vary by season, making an early departure advantageous. The resort is around 1 hour and 45 minutes from Bwindi. Activities near the lake include Mirror carp sports fishing, a Jacana/Sunset trail/World War One trail, and the Twin Lakes Trail covering Kayumbu and Lake Chahafi.

The Mirror carp sports fishing experience is facilitated by Lake Chahafi Resort in collaboration with the Fishermen Association and Kisoro District Production Office, supported by USAID. Kayumbu is open for livelihood fishing, while Lake Chahafi remains reserved for catch-and-release sports fishing. Visitors can hire boats, fishing gear, and licenses at a cost of USD 120 per person. Local guides are available to assist in the fishing experience.

The Jacana/Sunset trail/World War One trail is a fascinating three-hour activity that begins at the lodge. It features a spacious boat luxury trip on the lake, offering opportunities to spot otters and various birds like Grey crowned cranes and Jacanas. The trail also leads to the World War One site, where remnants of trenches from the historic conflict can still be seen. As part of the trail, you can visit a community primary school to observe rural life in Uganda. The activity takes you through villages, homesteads, and farmlands, concluding back at the resort. The cost for this activity is USD 30 per person and can take up to four hours.

Bird enthusiasts will be delighted with sightings of Jacanas, Grey crowned cranes, swamp fly catchers, Malachite kingfishers, yellow-billed ducks, African fish eagles, and brack crakes, among other species. This excursion can be enjoyed in the morning when the birds are most active or in the evening. On sunny days, the lake offers captivating sunrises, stunning sunsets, and misty mornings that create a dreamlike atmosphere. The cost for this activity is USD 30 per person.

The Twin Lakes Trail, covering both Kayumbu and Lake Chahafi, is a five-hour excursion that starts at the resort's lakeshore. Visitors will navigate by boat with a guide through the papyrus and water lilies that are habitats for spectacular birds. The southern side of the lake, surrounded by hills, provides open waters for sightings of the African Jacana, Pied Kingfisher, Hammerkop, Grey crowned crane, and Common Moorhen. After docking, visitors will cross over to twin lake Kayumbu, where they can enjoy a canoe excursion and visit the island. The return journey passes through an African village trading center, offering insight into rural life. The tour concludes back at the resort. This activity is available in both the morning and the afternoon, with dinner served after the afternoon tour. The cost is USD 50 per person.

Lake Chahafi Resort encourages guests to partake in these excursions to fully immerse themselves in the community and explore the rich natural surroundings rather than merely rushing to see Mountain gorillas in the protected areas. A one-night stay upon arrival is deemed insufficient to truly appreciate Lake Chahafi's ambiance. A minimum of two nights is recommended to allow ample time for mini excursions and enjoying the area's surroundings while contributing to the local community. The resort's boats are locally owned, and hiring them helps create employment opportunities and direct income for the owners.

For those interested in biking, there are three biking trails around the resort, ranging from easy to medium difficulty. These trails provide stunning views of Lake Chahafi and Lake Kayumbu, and they take riders through local trading centers and farmlands. The estimated duration for these trails is 1 to 2 hours, with a fee of USD 30 for a 3-hour biking experience.

 

In terms of transportation, Lake Chahafi Resort is conveniently located near Kisoro airstrip, Kigali International Airport, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Bwindi National Park. The resort can arrange transfers to Kisoro airstrip, Kigali International Airport, Volcanoes National Park, Mgahinga, and Bwindi upon request. Lake Chahafi Resort is prepared to be a reliable partner for visitors in this tourism destination area, offering ground handling services as needed.

Facilities at the resort include nine individual cabins with studio layouts, each featuring a patio/veranda overlooking the lake and Mount Muhabura. There are six double rooms with king-size beds, two twin rooms, and one triple room, all constructed with elegant hardwood materials such as Mvule, Elgon Teak, and Mugavu. The cabins, at the resort are specially designed to offer an experience. They have a combination of walls for the bathrooms, sturdy canvas tents and beautiful wooden French doors that provide views of the surrounding area. Each cabin comes with its bathroom equipped with refreshing hot and cold showers. To ensure a nights sleep mosquito nets are. The beds are sprayed to keep bugs away.

In addition to these accommodations the resort offers amenities for relaxation and enjoyment. You can unwind in the garden by making your fire or spend time in the inviting restaurant and bar area featuring a fireplace and a private lounge. When it comes to dining you have plenty of options. Meals can be enjoyed in settings such as the restaurant, garden, patio or lakeside depending on your preference availability of time and weather conditions.

To start your day off right the resort provides a English breakfast complete with an assortment of fresh fruits, juices, hot dishes like bacon, sausages,eggs and potatoes and beverages like coffee tea milk and hot chocolate.Whether you're heading out for activities or staying at the resort you'll be well taken care of.For guests going on excursions packed lunches are provided while those staying at the resort enjoy a lunch.Dinner is truly an affair where you can indulge in a four course meal including appetizers,soup,a main course and mouthwatering desserts.All these culinary delights are prepared using produce sourced from our own vegetable garden.

As part of their commitment, to ensuring their guests have an experience the Lake Chahafi Resort also offers transportation services to nearby attractions and airports.

Lake Chahafi Resort offers a tranquil atmosphere, a range of activities and a dedication, to supporting the community. It is a haven, for travelers who want to experience the natural beauty of Uganda and create lasting memories.

 

 

 

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