Fort Portal lies in the northern foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, 300km west of Kampala City and 50km north of Kasese town in western Uganda. Fort Portal town is one of the most attractive towns in Uganda and has several landmarks like hotels, banks, restaurants, golf course and many more. It is the only town in Uganda with an English name “Fort Portal”, and the town was named after the British Consul General of Zanzibar, Sir Gerald Portal, who came in Uganda in 1890s to formalize British protectorate ship over Uganda. Fort Portal town is the seat of both Kabarole district and Toro Palace, built in the 1960s.
Attractions & Activities in Fort Portal town
The beautiful Toro Palace: The palace lies on the hill above the town. It was restored by Libyan government under Col. Muammar Ghadaffi following the rooting and destructions in 1960s, when Kingdoms where abolished in Uganda by Obote’s government. The palace is home to the current king of Tooro, Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV who has been the supreme cultural leader of Toro Kingdom since 1995.
Sculptures. Sir Gerald portal sculpture that lies at the main road as you head to Kasese in the heart of fort portal town and the empaako sculpture near Stanbic bank.
Karambi Tombs: The Karambi Tombs are the burial grounds for Toro kings are they are located are located 5km out of the town on the Kasese Road. This is one of the most treasured places in Tooro Kingdom. Three kings of Tooro Kingdom including one of the strongest, locally referred to as Abakama were buried in these tombs with each king having a separate throne. The kings include Omukama Kyebambe, Omukama Rukidi III and Omukama Kaboyo II.
Rwenzori Mountains ranges. which are viewed from most corners of the town. Kibale national park, Queen Elizabeth and Semliki Valley National Park are few hours’ drive away from the town center.
Tooro crater lakes, Tooro kingdom is blessed with over 50 concentrated crater lakes of different colors. For example, lake Nyinabuga that is of the 20,000 Uganda note, lake nyabikere, lake Nyamirima among others. Fishing, swimming, canoeing take place on different crater lakes. Some crater lakes harbor hippos such as lake nyabikere, Nyinabulitwa and Nyamirima respectively.
Amabere Caves & waterfalls around Fort Portal town. 10 kilometers outside of fort portal town lays the limestone site.it is a roof crypt, dotted with water drops wading in the greatness of normal rainfall. Breast like features, hang on the roof of the cave with whitish milk like substance tickling out–these were created by a ‘chemical reaction between water and salt’ in the course of years and this is where the place gets the name of Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru a local word for breast of Nyinamwiru. Scientifically these are stalactites and stalagmites.
Tea plantations. Tooro is blessed with fertile soils and favorable climate with rain thought out the year. This favor the growth of both cash and food crops including tea. As your closer to fort portal town you will be welcomed by large plantations of tea, these are both owned by the locals and Indians like Mukwano group of companies.
Banking facilities Fort Portal town has branches for most banks in Kampala, like Centenary bank, Barclays Bank, Equity Bank, Kenya Commercial Bank, Post Bank Uganda, Stanbic Bank, United Bank for Africa and Bank of Uganda. Micro finance banks also operate in this amazing town; these include; Pride Microfinance Ltd & Uganda Finance Trust Ltd. Barclays & Stanbic banks provide foreign exchange services. ATMs operate 24hours.
Restaurants & Bars: Fort Portal Town has got several restaurants which serve decent meals. Which include: Gardens restaurant, Rwenzori Travelers Inn, Don’s Plaza, Pierre’s Pizzeria, Momo Tea Room, Mesh’s Bar & Glue Pot Bar.
Shopping: The town has got several shopping points scattered along the main road. The most popular is Andrew’s supermarket which stocks a wide range of local & imported food & drinks. Local handicrafts and souvenirs shops are also located along the Fort-Portal – Kampala Road. Others are Mugusu market on Kasese road, Mpanga market, Kabundaire market and much more
Nightlife: Here a number of good bars and grill are in town where you can have fun with the local people. Among others include, House 45, Mesh’s bar, Glue pot bar, Forest bar and Zone7.
These attractions can be visited in 1-2days depending on the speed and weather of the day. Its more adventurous by using Boda bodas and bikes.
Accommodation: Fort Portal has got several accommodation options in the town among others include;
Mountains of the Moon Hotel, Sunrise Hotel & Apartment, Rwenzori Travelers Rest Inn, Fort Motel, Ataco Country Resort, Reins’ tourist hotel, Hilton tourist hotel
Accommodation outside town among others include, Chimpanzee forest guesthouse and campsite, Isunga lodge, Kluges guest farm, Kyaninga lodge and Ndali lodge.
Fort Portal lies in the northern foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, 300km west of Kampala City and 50km north of Kasese town in western Uganda. Fort Portal town is one of the most attractive towns in Uganda and has several landmarks like hotels, banks, restaurants, golf course and many more. It is the only town in Uganda with an English name “Fort Portal”, and the town was named after the British Consul General of Zanzibar, Sir Gerald Portal, who came in Uganda in 1890s to formalize British protectorate ship over Uganda. Fort Portal town is the seat of both Kabarole district and Toro Palace, built in the 1960s.
How to get to Fort Portal Uganda tour operators or Minibus taxis and buses run 4-5 hours’ drive from Kampala to Fort Portal daily using Kampala-Mityana Road. Bus companies like Kalita Coach Ltd, Link Coaches Ltd also operate this route are found in Kisenyi bus terminals in Kampala.
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