Fort Portal is a green, hilly town in western Uganda, surrounded by tea estates and dozens of volcanic crater lakes, with the Rwenzori Mountains to the west. It is the main town near Kibale Forest and a comfortable base for exploring the area.
Most travellers come for chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, but the crater lakes are worth half a day in their own right. Walks or drives between lakes take you through farmland, past fig trees and through small villages, with views that change around every bend.
Rolling hills, tea plantations and deep, round crater lakes formed by old volcanic explosions. The Rwenzori range rises to the west, often cloud-covered.
Wildlife is mostly seen in nearby Kibale Forest. Around the crater lakes, monkeys and birds are common.
Crater lakes walk, cycle or drive
Tea estate visit
Base for Kibale chimpanzee tracking
Base for Rwenzori Mountains hikes
Market and town walk
Fort Portal feels cool and fresh compared with the savannah parks. It is a good place to slow down for a night or two between longer drives.
Year-round. The drier months, roughly December to February and June to August, are best for walking.
Read our full guide: Gorilla Trekking in Uganda: How It Works and How to Prepare »
About 4.5-5 hours west of Kampala by road, or a short flight to a nearby airstrip.
Hotels and guesthouses in town, plus lodges around the crater lakes and close to Kibale.
Practical base for Kibale and the Rwenzori
Cooler than the parks - bring a layer
Good range of services in town
No. Fort Portal is the town nearby; Kibale Forest National Park is a short drive away.
Two to three nights covers Kibale and a crater lakes outing.
Tell us your dates and we'll build an itinerary that includes it.
