Lake Nkugute

About

Lake Nkugute formed around 12,000 years ago, after volcanic activity left a crater in the ground, which slowly filled with rainwater. Surrounded by banana plantations and pine and mahogany trees, the lake is shaped a bit like Africa and makes for a pretty place to walk or swim. But behind the beauty are strange and supernatural stories. The lake’s name literally translates to “swallow” for it’s said that every year, one boy and one girl disappear beneath its waters, and if anyone notices and tries to help, they’re “swallowed” too. According to locals, it’s the deepest lake in Africa with some shadowy reaches that have eluded western scientists. It’s also said that anyone walking past the lake alone after dark will be accosted by the Bachwezi people. The Bachwezi are a near-mythical culture, sometimes said to have been extra-terrestrial, who ruled the region for over 10,000 years and were worshiped as demi-gods.