A 10,000 Year Old Lake
Lake Kyaninga
Random—like most of the trips I’ve taken with my friends. We knew we wanted to get away. We knew it had to be outside Kigali. Uganda wasn’t the first idea, but then we saw this place on Airbnb. A crater lake, formed over 10,000 years ago. That alone felt like enough of a reason to sit in a car for seven hours.
We left a little past 1 a.m. No rest. No meals beforehand. Just a shared goal to get there.
Sometimes in life, things don’t need too much thought. Rich, coming from me—I know. But even I can recognize the beauty in spontaneity. Deep down, I chase the randomness of life. So I put my timbs on, pointed my mind toward the Ugandan border, and went with my friends. Honestly, this was one of my best border experiences so far.
I’ve crossed this border a few times before, but there’s something about traveling in the middle of the night—being the only ones there—that makes everything feel lighter. Nothing could’ve gone any faster. I crossed with no issues, even with my Nigerian passport. The drive itself was beautiful. I couldn’t stop saying it out loud. How grateful I am to be an African, from Africa. Uganda is stunning, and I’m glad fear didn’t stop me from exploring it by road.
Being Nigerian—and I’ll speak for a lot of people I grew up with—this kind of thing isn’t common. A weekend road trip to another country because of a lake you saw online? Back home, people would think you’re “different.” Not necessarily in a bad way. Because deep down, that’s what many of us want. To be spontaneous. To drive off with friends, fueled by beers, conversation, and food along the way. Not quite street food this time—more like a gas station café—but the spirit was there.
We arrived around 11 a.m. The view of the crater was just as beautiful as promised. Clean. Deep. Quiet. The Airbnb didn’t disappoint either. The village felt calm, the people friendly. Swimming was non-negotiable, but access to the lake was only through Kyaninga Lodge—a short ten-minute trek away—where a deck led straight into the water. Thick, mineral-rich water. The kind that makes you feel like you’re floating in something ancient. We didn’t stay at the lodge, but it’s officially on my list.
What we planned as one night turned into two. We couldn’t rush this place. Sitting here now, writing this as the sun sets, I find myself reflecting on the year that just passed—with a fresh, reignited ambition. I see myself doing this more. Chasing places. Following curiosity. Letting the randomness of life lead the way.
