Fort Portal lies in the northern foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, 300km west of Kampala 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.
Category: Cities & Towns
Location: Fort Portal District
Distance from Kampala City: 300km
Nearest Districts: Kasese 50km, Bundibugyo, Kamwengye, Kibale & Hoima
Economy: Agriculture, Tourism, Tea Estates
Telephone: +256 (0) 4834 22183 / +256 (0) 774 057390
Top Attractions: Palace of Omukama (King) of Toro, Rwenzori Mountains, Crater Lakes, Chimpanzee Tracking & Forest Walks
Population: 44,900
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 protectorateship over Uganda. Fort Portal town is the seat of both Kabarole district and Toro Palace, built in the 1960s.
Attractions & Activities in Fort Portal include;
The beautiful Toro Palace. The palace lies on the hill above the town. It was restored by Libyan government following the rooting and destructions in 1960s, when Kingdoms where abolished in Uganda by Obote government.
Sir Gerald Portal statue which lies at the main road of the town
Karambi Tombs: The Karambi Tombs are the burial grounds of Omukama Kasagama & Rukidi III. They are located 5km out of the town on the Kasese Road
Fort Portal town is the gateway to the Rwenzori Mountains which are viewed from most corners of the town. Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Semliki Valley National Park lie are few hours drive away from the town centre. Excursions to these parks can be arranged by Kabarole Tours, a local tour operator based in Fort Portal.
Tours to crater lakes, caves (Amabere Caves) & waterfalls around Fort Portal town. These can be arranged by Kabarole Tours. See contacts above.
Toro golf course & Toro Botanical Gardens
Banking facilities
Fort Portal town has branches for most banks in Kampala, like Crane 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. Below is a list of restaurants to eat at in Fort Portal.
Rwenzori Travellers Inn. Price start at Ush6,000
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.
Nightlife:
Heartbeat disco (Rumandika Road) & Club Ecstasy (Bwamba Road) are the only two night clubs in Fort Portal.
Getting There:
Minibus taxis and buses run the four hours drive from Kampala to Fort Portal daily. The Post Bus leaves Kampala from the main post office at 0800, daily except on Sundays. Other bus companies like Kalita Coach Ltd, Link Coaches Ltd also operate this route. For details read buses in Uganda section on Guide2Uganda website. Minibuses-taxis heading to Fort Portal stage at the new Kampala Taxi Park. Fort Portal town is also accessible via Mbarara- Kasese route and via Hoima from Masindi town.
Accommodation:
Fort Portal has got several accommodation options for everyone. These include;
Kyaninga Lodge; Tel: 0772 999750. Email: Info@kyaningalodge.com.
Mountains of the Moon Hotel ( Tel: 04834 23200. Email:info@mountainsofthemoon.co.ug)
Mitandi Mountains Huts. (Tel: 0782500979/ 0782 348475. Email: visitmitandi@gmail.com)
Rwenzori View Guesthouse. (Tel: 077 2722102 /04834 22102. Email: ruwview@africaonline.co.ug )
Ndali Lodge. Price start from US$210. Tel: 0772 221309 / 0772 487673. Email: ndali@ndalilodge.com
Sunrise Hotel & Apartment (Tel: 0392 845321/ 0782 322982 Email: sales@mikecolestravel.co.uk)
Rwenzori Travelers Rest Inn (Tel: 04834 22075 Email: reservations@rwenzoritravellersinn.com)
Rujuna Hilltop Guesthouse (Tel: 04834 25077 / 0784 789246 Email: info@rujuna-guesthouse.com)
Kluges Guest Farm (Tel: 0393 838161 / 0772 440099. Email: marketing@klugesguestfarm.com)
Nyinabulitwa Country Resort (Tel: 0712 984929 / 0782 291577 Email: info@nyinabulitwaresort.com)
Fort Motel ( Tel: 0772 501731. Email: reservations@fortmotel.com)
Crater Valley Resort (Tel: 0772 192709 / 0772 906549. Email: cvkresort@gmail.com)
Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Tel: 0772 486415. Email: chimpgueste@yahoo.com)
Backpacker Hostel (Tel: 0772 780350. Email: yesuganda@gmail.com)
Tinka’s Homestead. Tel: 0414 501866 / 0772 468113. Email: comm-tour@infocom.co.ug
Lake Nkuruba Camp. (Tel: 0772 562513 / 0782 697271. Email: lake_nkuruba@yahoo.com)
Kitojo Tourist Hotel. Tel: 0772 469333 Email: kitojotouristhome@yahoo.com
Ataco Country Resort. Tel: 04834 25350 / 0772 480580
Hotel Soka Ltd. Tel: 4834 22238 / 0772 472320
Lake Kifuruka Campsite. Tel: 0772 562513