The pleasant town of Fort Portal is the tourism and adventure capital of western Uganda. Lying some 300km west of the capital Kampala, the Toro Kingdom capital is set in lush green mountain ranges on the edges of the western rift valley escarpment overlooking the mountain ranges of Rwenzori. The fertile landscapes are covered with green tea estates and lush tropical forests while bananas cover the enriched volcanic crater lakes rims and slopes.
Its location at the heart of Uganda’s main tour circuit makes it a desired base for travelers seeking life-time experiences with the endangered apes, close-up moments with wildlife, birding and adventure enthusiasts. This charming and hospitable town derives its English name from a small military offensive fort named Fort Gerry, constructed to protect the young Kingdom of Toro against the guerilla troops of King Kabalega of Bunyoro but was renamed in honor of Sir Gerald Portal a British Consul General of Zanzibar. Today this clean and appealing town is serviced by a wide range of accommodation amenities to suit any comfort providing a perfect base for tourists on their numerous adventure quests.
Things to do while In and Around Fort Portal Area.
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Track Chimpanzee at Kibale National Park
Lying some 35km on a good tarmacked road south of Fort portal town, lies Kibale National Park, regarded as the primate’s capital on the continent for its highest concentration of primates by size. The 766km2 mid altitude tropical forest hosts up to 13 species of primates including Common Chimpanzee. Chimp tracking experience here ranks the best in the region with over 95% chances of coming into face-face with man’s closest cousins.
Depending on one’s time and interest, chimpanzee tracking is offered on two programs and take different durations and costs. On an insightful Chimpanzee Habituation experience (CHEX) program, visitors take longer treks along with the chimpanzee gaining understanding of these man’s closest relative in their natural habitats. Led by researchers, treks start early (7am) to trek to a community of chimps as it leaves the nesting site, following on as it feeds, relate, socialize and a chance to watch several interactions of these species within its ecosystem. Treks stretch beyond 4hrs.
On a shorter Ordinary chimp tracking program treks extend anywhere between 2-3hrs including One-hour recommended with the chimpanzee group and runs on morning/evening schedules.
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Take a Swamp and Community Walk at Bigodi Wetland
Past Kibale Forest visitors center, is the community run wetland with superb wetland trails. The trails crisscross a riverine forest with sections of papyrus where up to 7 diurnal monkeys are seen well along a healthy bird list. On this whole experience, knowledgeable community guides lead one past community homesteads, agricultural farms to give the visitor a firsthand interaction with ordinary folks, schools and then via a medicine man home/clinic. Here the local herbalist shares and educates visitors on the effectiveness of the ancient African medicine that treats almost all diseases…yes, all!
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Explore the Explosion Crater Lakes
Fort Portal and Toro Kingdom landscape rise above 1800m asl dotted with dozens of volcanic lakes, scenic mountain ranges and expansive forests. Adventurers that spare time here, will be spoilt for choice as numerous adventure opportunities abound here including cycling, walks and mini hikes to explore this amazing landscape.
Fort portal lies at the heart of the volcanic epicenter, with 2 major crater lake clusters. The northward crater lakes lie about 2km from town and provides variety of experiences ranging from half-a-day hikes, cycling and nature walks along gentle hills surrounding these historical lakes and a chance to spot a few birds in the tropical rainforest patches. A notable guided cultural walk to the mythical Amabere-ga-Nyina mwiru cave with its chilly waterfalls gives one insight to the royal attachments and heritage to this natural spectacle.
The second cluster is The Ndali-Kasenda area south of the sprawling town of Fort Portal, where a dozen chain of crater lakes lies within and close to each other. Most are surrounded by tropical rain forests and team with variety of primates and birds also a great place to Camp. Here nature walks and biking experiences are offered with chances of interacting with locals to learn about their lifestyles, agricultural practices and enjoying spectacular scenery.
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Take a Rwenzori Mountains Hike
For dedicated adventurers Rwenzori Mountain ranges offer an ultimate challenge to stretch one’s limit and explore nature’s diversity across several ranges of these mountains.
Crossed by the equator on its southern foothills, Africa’s highest mountain ranges the “mountains of the moon” rise from the hot savanna plains on the rift valley floor to tower up to 5109m on Mt. Stanley. The UNESCO world heritage Rwenzori Mountain ranges are the most diverse and technical on the continent. The higher mountain ranges are protected under national parks status sheltering an array of glacial lakes, sharp forested ridges, cover several montane vegetational types with a collection of species ranging from endemic plants, birds and primates.
From its two main hiking trailheads that lie within the national park boundaries, hiking plans include short Day hikes to 2/3/4 Day plans and full summit 7-10 Days hike plans suitable for all types of adventurers.
Other shorter guided hikes on edges of the national park are available running along the Rwenzori foot hills providing great views to water falls, tropical forested valleys, gorges and distant lowland forests to suit one’s the time and interest.
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Bird Watching and Hot Springs at Semliki NP
An hour drive north of Fort Portal town, the low land forests of Semliki attract dedicated birdwatchers to a rich and rare bird list of Congo-Guinea forests specialists on their eastern limits. With ample time, tick off local specialists including Swamp Palm Bulbul, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Congo-serpent Eagle, Long-tailed Hawk, Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, Yellow-throated Nicator, Rufous-sided Broadbill, African Piculate, Orange-cheeked Waxbill, Red-bellied and Crested Malimbes, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Black-casqued, Dwarf and Eastern Little Hornbills among the 450 species checklist here.
North of this lowland forest, take a boat cruise to track several Shoebill pairs on wetlands on the edges of L. Albert. Colorful primates occur here including, Red-tailed, Guereza and Red-Colobus monkeys, Grey-cheeked mangabey and potto. The low land forest also hosts 2 hot springs an indication of the on-going geological forces underneath the earth. The scenic drive through the escarpment and the Rwenzori Foothills is the best in the country.
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Take a Cultural Tour
The region is a home to the ancient Great lakes’ most powerful dynasties and kingdoms rich in cultural and traditions worth a visit. Just on hill overlooking Fort Portal town sits the expansive Toro Kingdom Palace that’s worth to explore. On the edges of the lowland forests of Semliki, lives Africa’s oldest tribe, the Bambuti, where one learns and enjoys insights into the ancient traditions and cultures of these earliest inhabitants of the great lakes’ highland rainforests.
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Go on a Wildlife Safari in Queen Elizabeth NP
An hour south west of Fort portal town, is the wildlife stocked savannas of Queen Elizabeth NP crossed by the equator and lying in the graben of western rift valley arm. Get up close and personal to the Big 5 species here like African elephant, buffalo, lion, the elusive leopard, waterbuck, Kob and more. Take a cruise on the Kazinga Channel for its thousand strong hippo congregations while the water banks attract Nile crocodile and numerous waders.
While at Queen Elizabeth NP, visit the Katwe Salt Lake lying at the western edge of the park to witness where for millennia people have mined the sweet gold using traditional means. On the parks north-west savanna edges, rises Africa’s highest mountain ranges aka the “mountains of the moon” to tower up to 5110m on Mt. Stanley. These uplifted Rwenzori Mountain ranges are the most diverse and technical on the continent and worth an adventure trip.