[2] This location is approximately 454 kilometres (282 mi), by road, southwest of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city.

It is nestled in the foothills of the Virunga Mountain Range, at an altitude of 1,800 metres (5,900 ft).

The environment on the islands within the lake and the surrounding countryside includes lakeside forests and wetland habitats that provide a haven for the endangered mountain gorilla.

Weaver bird nests are a common site among the reeds along the lake shore.

The mammals found in Lake Mutanda include the African clawless otter.