Fort Portal is known as the Tourism City of Uganda. Located in the Western Region, the town is the perfect base to have the best of both worlds. Or actually, the best of three worlds. In close proximity you can discover the rain forest with the Kibale National Park being right at our door step; you can hike in dizzying heights in the Rwenzori mountains, and if you don’t mind driving a short distance you can experience the once in a lifetime safari you have been dreaming of.

Approximately 50.000 people live in Fort Portal, but the main part is as small as the space between two roundabouts. In the centre you can find almost endless opportunities to eat, drink and go out day and night.

Here is a short list of things you can do in and around Fort Portal that will keep you busy for at least one week. Enough to explore the city and to spend ample time with wildlife.

 1.      Breakfast at Dutchess

Start your day right with a breakfast menu that would make the buffet at various luxury lodges jealous. Homemade juices, cheese and desserts are awaiting you at Dutchess, a restaurant run by (you guessed it) a Dutch couple. But be careful not to indulge too much as firstly the Ugandan food is also exciting and filling and secondly Dutchess prepare the best pizza in town on their own stone oven grill, so that you will probably visit them again during the evening.

2.      Take a tour around town…

…and look for birds. Even in the buzzing town centre you will already see some species that you won’t know from home. You can decide whether you are a proper birder who would like to participate in a tour with a trained guide, or whether you just came to Uganda to see all the animals depicted in The Lion King. In the latter case it will be enough to keep your eyes open while driving on a Boda through town and you will already be able to tick some birds of your list.

 3.      See wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Prepare yourself for an early start when you drive accompanied by the Ugandan sunrise towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. Have your breakfast on the way so that a hungry lion won’t steal it from you, and off you go on your first game drive. Since awing at African wildlife surely will make you hungry again, you will spend your lunch on the shores of the Kazinga Channel. You can decide whether you would like to go on a boat ride or immediately do another game drive. If you think that one day with elephants can’t ever be enough (who wouldn’t?), you can even stay for one or two more days in the park, trailing deeper and looking for rare tree climbing lions.

 4.      Visit all the crater lakes

Well, that might take you a bit longer than a week, as Fort Portal is surrounded by over 50 crater lakes, some of which are hard to reach. However, if you feel active you can walk a trail of 18 km on which you can see at least 5 crater lakes, volcanoes and waterfalls or you can take a Boda or a driver and visit the Kasenda Crater Lakes. There you can swim in Lake Nkuruba and hike up a small hill to the Top of the World viewpoint from where you have the perfect view over crater lakes and the Rwenzori mountains.

 5.      Hike in the Rwenzoris

After spending some days looking at the mountain range in the background of Fort Portal you might feel the urge to actually hike them. This will be the perfect opportunity to meet local communities and learn how they make their living. Being greeted by smiling children who are happy to see visitors in their villages will make the climb much easier. You can either hike up the hill for one day or, if you feel like an adventure, stay for up to a week in the so-called Mountains of the Moon.

 6.      Look for our closest relatives

Just outside of town, the famous Kibale Forest NP has its roots. Go on a short walk through the deep green forest and then see for yourself, the primates are having a blast in the bushes. See how Chimpanzees live their family lives and that the babies are driving their mothers crazy just as well as ours. Spend up to a whole day with the chimps and see what you can learn from them.

 7.      Look for forest elephants on a nature walk

Granted, the chances to actually see a forest elephant in Kihingami swamp are very slim, and that should be absolutely fine. Forest elephants are not used to humans and go into full attack mode if you cross their path, and yet one cannot stop wishing to find them anyway. However, on your nature walk through the wetlands you will be able to see several monkey species. For birders, the swamp can offer you over 300 different species of birds. On top of that the income generated by visitors will be used to support communities and local schools.

 8.      Have a night out at Afrikana…

… or Gluepot or the Pavilion, or Forest or Mountains. Ugandans love to go out and you will always be able to find a party no matter what day of the week it is. Have some drinks in one of Fort Portal’s bars or go full on ‘Hangover’ and try the Ugandan Gin ‘Waragi’ made out of matooke. Just always be aware of your belongings as it can get crowded in the club and your mobile might simply be too tempting for strangers.

9.      Amaani Rwenzori !

Amaani Rwenzori ! is a project by the German NGO Welthungerhilfe in cooperation with YES! and helps young Ugandans to learn trades like pottery, hairdressing, welding and general administrative activities. You can also find the best tailors in town in the small compound just on the outskirts of town. On the weekends they offer communal sport activities like yoga and volleyball. Just come by the coffee shop and you can get all the information there.

10.   Taste the real Uganda

Every Wednesday, the local hotel Traveller’s Inn organises a traditional lunch with everything that is typically Ugandan. Taste your way through matooke, posho, greens, plantains, bananas, sweet potatoes, cassava, and peanuts. You will definitely be filled up for the rest of the day.

 These are only a few things of what you can do with your time in Uganda. If you would like to visit other National Parks or areas in Uganda, we are more than happy to create the perfect trip for you. Just contact us here on our website or visit us in our new office in Mugurusi Road.