Located in Kisoro, Southwestern is a scenic Lake Kagezi. This stunning lake is right on Kisoro-Kabale route. It is set within the circular small depression of an extinct crater that measure up to 200m. This is one of the most stunning lakes you should consider visiting on Uganda safaris in Mgahinga National Park.
The lake has interesting history. The Kigezi Region is named after Uganda’s most south wetserly colonial era district that was named after this lake. The British established its post at Lake Kagezi and the name Kigezi was bastardised from Kagezi. It was Captain Coote who established the post in 1910 though he abandoned the site in only tow years and established it Ikumba close to Ruhija of Bwindi.
The site of Captain Coote’s short lived station can be still be visited along a rough road and lies within just 1km from the Kisoro Airstrip.
Lake Kagezi is worthy a visit though it is a little more than a grassy seasonal swamp set in a caldera volcano.
Getting to Lake Kagezi is easier by road or air. By road travel, you need 9-10 hours to drive from Kampala city or Entebbe city to Lake Kagezi. Or take a short time driving on road from Kigali city Rwanda. Taking a flight saves the long day driving and your journey begins from Entebbe International Airport (EBB) or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip.
You may also consider visiting other lakes or rivers in Mgahinga or Kisoro district in general including Lake Mutanda, and Chahafi Lake; River Nyabirerema, Ntebeko, and Kabiranyuma.