Fort Portal: Uganda’s Tourism City You’ll Fall in Love With
If you haven’t been to Fort Portal, you are missing out on one of the most beautiful places in Uganda. This small but lively city is located in western Uganda about 300 kilometeres from the capital, Kampala. Fort Portal was officially named Uganda’s Tourism City in 2020 because of its clean streets, fresh air and amazing attractions.
Unlike Kampala, which is always buzzing with traffic and crowds, Fort Portal has a chilled laid-back vibe that makes you want to slow down and enjoy the moment.
The city sits at the base of the Rwenzori Mountains, surrounded by green hills, large tea plantations and scenic crater lakes. It is also the gateway to some of Uganda’s top national parks, including Kibale National Park, Semuliki National Park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Fort Portal was named after Sir Gerald Portal, a British colonial official but beyond that, it was and still is the home of the Tooro Kingdom. This is where you will find the Tooro King’s Palace, and the King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV who became king at just three years old!
Top Things to See and Do in Fort Portal
There’s so much to see and do. You can visit waterfalls, explore caves, see wildlife, visit hot springs or take a walk through tea plantations. No matter what kind of traveler you are, you will definitely love Fort Portal.
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Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park is just a 30-minute drive from Fort Portal. This is one of the best places in the world to see chimpanzees in the wild. The park is mainly made up of a tropical rainforest which is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees along with other monkeys like the red colobus and L’Hoest’s monkey.
Chimpanzee trekking is an amazing experience where you walk through the forest listening to birds and spotting other wildlife until you find a group of chimpanzees. Watching them swing from trees, groom each other or even throw things is both exciting and heartwarming.
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Explore the Crater Lakes
Fort Portal is surrounded by about 50 crater lakes, and each one is unique. Some are great for hiking others for swimming and some just offer breathtaking views.
Here are a few favorites;
- Nyinambuga – The lake featured on Uganda’s 20,000 shilling note.
- Kyaninga – Best seen from the stunning Kyaninga Lodge.
- Nkuruba – A quiet forested lake where you can spot monkeys and birds.
- Munyanyange – home of flamingoes
If you love adventure, take a hiking tour around these lakes. The trails are not so difficult and you will be rewarded with amazing views of the hills and valleys.
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Visit the Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru Caves
These are caves that have waterfalls and stalactites as well as rich history and legends surrounding them. According to legends, Nyinamwiru was the daughter of King Bukuku of the Batembuzi dynasty. The king was told that his daughter would give birth to a child who would overthrow him. To prevent this, he cut off her breasts so she could not nurse a child and hid her in the caves. However, Nyinamwiru still bore a son, Ndahura, who later became a powerful ruler of the Bachwezi dynasty.
The white stalactites hanging from the cave ceiling resemble a woman’s breasts and the milky water dripping from them is said to symbolize breast milk which makes the legend feel real.
But it is not just about the stories. The hike to the caves is amazing with waterfalls, lush greenery and even views of the other crater lakes. It is a great mix of adventure and culture.
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Take a Tea Plantation Tour
If you have ever wondered where tea comes from, Fort Portal is the place to find out. The town is surrounded by many large green tea plantations stretching over the hills. You can visit a tea farm to see how tea is grown, harvested and processed. The best part? You get to taste fresh Ugandan tea while enjoying the peaceful views.
It’s a simple but relaxing experience and perfect if you want a break from hiking and trekking.
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Hike in the Rwenzori Mountains
The Rwenzori Mountains, also called the Mountains of the Moon, are Africa’s third-highest mountain range. If you are up for a challenge, you can hike to Margherita Peak (5,109m). But even if you are not a hardcore climber, there are shorter hikes on the lower slopes.
A one day hike will take you through bamboo forests, waterfalls and crystal-clear rivers flowing from the glaciers above as well as unique plants like giant lobelias. The views here are spectacular and the air is fresh and cool.
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Visit the Sempaya Hot Springs
The Sempaya Hot Springs are located in Semuliki National Park which is about 2 hours from Fort Portal. These hotsprings are one of Uganda’s coolest natural wonders. The hot springs are boiling hot, with some reaching over 100°C. Locals actually use them to cook food like eggs. This is a fun experience that you shouldn’t miss out on while you are there.
The area around the springs is also great for birdwatching with a variety of bird species including albertine rift endemics like Congo Serpent Eagle, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, Snowy-headed Robin-Chat, Long-tailed Hawk, Blue Swallow, Fire-crested Alethe, Grey Ground-Thrush, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Toro Olive Greenbul and many others.
As you walk around, you might also spot animals like forest elephants and some monkey species like red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and De Brazza’s monkeys.
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Visit the Toro Kingdom Palace
Fort Portal is the cultural heart of the Toro Kingdom which is one of Uganda’s traditional kingdoms. The Toro Kingdom Palace sits on one of the hills of the city and is an important historical site.
A guided tour of the palace will teach you about the history, traditions, and royal family of Toro. If you are lucky, you might even witness a cultural event or meet King Oyo, Uganda’s youngest king.
Where to Stay in Fort Portal
There are several accommodation options in Fort portal for every budget. Here are some top picks:
Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Mountains of the Moon Hotel, Isunga Lodge
Budget: Rwenzori View Guesthouse, Fort Motel
How to Get to Fort Portal
Located about 300 km from Kampala, getting to Fort portal by road is about 4-5 hours. You can get there using a private vehicle or public buses which come from Kampala to Fort Portal daily. By air, you can book a domestic flight which takes about 1 hour from Entebbe to Kasese Airstrip. This airstrip is about 2 hours away from Fort portal.
Why You’ll Love Fort Portal
The place is more than just a city, it is an experience. Whether you are hiking in the mountains, tracking chimpanzees, exploring caves or just enjoying a cup of fresh Ugandan tea, you will feel connected to nature and culture in a way that few places can offer. If you have never been to Fort Portal, add it to your travel list now. And if you have already been, well… you probably want to go back!
