[2] [4] The name of the Buyunda originated in the Evenki language, meaning "where there are wild deer".

It has its sources in the Kilgan Massif and heads roughly northwards across the mountainous area of the Maymandzhin Range.

After entering the depression it meanders strongly across a wide and marshy floodplain, its main channel dividing into branches.

Finally the river joins the right bank of the Kolyma 1,573 km (977 mi) from its mouth.

[4] Loach, grayling, whitefish, burbot and lenok are the main fish species found in the waters of the Buyunda.