Page 126 - Oct-Dec 2024 Edition

Fort Portal

Tourism City

Photo credit Steve Wiilliams (Kyaninga Lodge)

FORT PORTAL: heart of Toro and gateway to western Uganda
Written by: Charlotte Beauvoisin – Diary of a crowds, Semliki Wildlife Reserve and Semliki
Muzungu Uganda & East Africa Travel Blog National Park promise a wilderness experi-
(diaryofamuzungu.com) ence, hot springs and birdlife you can see
nowhere else in Uganda.
Fort Portal is one of Uganda’s most pictur-
esque towns. Surrounded by green hills, doz- Quick Facts
ens of lakes, and the backdrop of the Rwenzori
Mountains, the town is a gateway to adventure. • Distances: 300km west of Kampala; 50km
If you prefer town life, Fort portal has it all too: north of Kasese
the town is a popular weekend away for Kam- • Approx. Drive Time from Kampala: 4-5
palans who want to party. hours, depending on traffic
Fort Portal is the traditional seat of the Toro • Average Temperature: 23°C
Kingdom, one of Uganda’s oldest kingdoms.
The Fort Portal region is famous for its tea, due • Climate: Fort Portal enjoys a cool climate
to its cool climate: the bright green tea planta- due to its elevation and proximity to the
tions are a feature of Toro’s hilly landscape. mountains.
Location • Elevation: Approximately 1,500 meters ASL
Fort Portal is perfectly positioned for exploring • Latitude and Longitude: 0°39’N, 30°16’E
western Uganda: for savannah game drives • Population (2024 estimate): 135,000
in Queen Elizabeth National Park; primates
of Kibale Forest; an exploration of the many • Monarch: Rukirabasaija Omukama Oyo
crater lakes; walks to the waterfalls and the Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, commonly
forested foothills of the Rwenzori’s, or up into known as King Oyo, is the reigning
its more challenging peaks. Away from the Omukama of Tooro

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