Kabale town is the biggest administrative town of Kabale district located in southwestern Uganda. It is located close to the border point of Katuna between Uganda and Rwanda. It is a commercial center for most of the people close to the border and even across the border. The town of Kabale is sometimes called Kastone which means “a stone” in the local Rukiiga language. The scenes of endless rolling hills that pierce the horizon stretch the skyline to unveil the natural beauty of the town. The valleys birth some of the lakes and rivers that drain this area. The artistic terraces on the steep slopes of these rolling hills offer amazing views. This small town of Kabale is located on the road to the border with Rwanda. Kabale town has incredible hidden gems to explore as we shall be unveiling in this article below.
What are some of the places to visit in Kabale town?
Although the town of Kabale is an important administration center for the district of Kabale, it however has spanning places that make your tour of the town a memorable one.
Lake Bunyonyi
Taking on a tour in Kabale town cannot be complete without a visit to Lake Bunyonyi. The lake is located between the Kabale and Kisoro districts stretching for about 25 kilometers. Lake Bunyonyi is the deepest freshwater lake in Uganda and the second deepest in Africa with a depth of more than 40 meters. The highlights of Lake Bunyonyi are the 29 islands scattered around the entire lake. Among the islands on this lake, Akampene Island is the most popular as it was used as a punishment island for girls who would get pregnant before marriage.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the Kabale district as it stretches for over 331 square kilometers. Bwindi is very famous for hosting the largest population of mountain gorillas in the world. Mountain gorillas are only located in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks in Uganda. These parks are part of the Virunga conservation area that also encircles Virunga National Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. The park has incredible views of the natural impenetrable forest and also wildlife encounters. Visitors to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park have a lot to see from the endangered mountain gorillas to mammals like forest elephants, forest buffaloes, and giant forest hogs to mention but a few. The park hosts a significant population of bird species that are endemic to the forest and also migratory.
Nyakagyera cave
Nyakagyera cave is an incredible site that hosts several bird species that can be encountered on this exploration journey to the cave. The Nyakagyera cave is located a few kilometers from the town and visiting the caves will bring the visitors to a one-on-one interaction with the locals. The cave is located at Kabaraga hill and visitors can learn the different cultures and ways of the Bakiiga people of this area.
Batwa community tours
The Batwa people are the ancient forest dwellers and one of the oldest living pygmy groups in Africa. They lived in the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. They fully depended on the forest for their survival by gathering fruits and hunting small animals. The Batwa ways of living are some that are interesting to experience by learning their customs, survival skills, and the traditional ways of life.
What to do in Kabale town?
The town of Kabale is impressively interesting offering spanning attractions for visitors to explore. Kabale has a lot to do and these activities include some of the following.
Gorilla trekking
The southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in Kabale district. The major activity in this park is gorilla trekking. Trekking gorillas in their natural environment is incredibly enjoyable as it offers visitors an hour with the mountain gorillas after locating them. Gorilla trekking as an activity takes about 4-5 hours including the hour with the mountain gorillas. Visitors get to watch the primates as they feed, rest, and groom their young ones. Gorilla trekking is a physically demanding activity but very fun, especially after encountering the primates.
Canoeing
Kabale’s Lake Bunyonyi is the hotspot for canoeing safaris in Kabale town. The lake is incredibly big stretching for over 26 kilometers with over 29 islands. While on your canoeing experience, expect to encounter various bird species that can be spotted flying around the lake to target their fish prey. Visitors can also get interaction time with the local fishermen who depend on the lake for survival. This canoeing experience is a great way for visitors to gain an insight into the indigenous people of the area and their history through tales and stories from the locals.
Community walks
Visitors to Kabale town can explore the town while on community walks. The tourists can meet several people from different Indigenous settings and thus learn a thing or two about their tribes and cultures. Visitors during these walks also visit the local markets and buy some souvenirs thus supporting the household incomes of the locals.
Gorilla habituation
Gorilla habituation is also another major activity in the Rushaga gorilla sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park located in the Kabale district. This activity refers to the act of familiarizing wild mountain gorillas with the presence of humans. This activity lasts for over 3-4 years and it takes 4 hours. Unlike trekking which allows 8 people per session, habituation only allows 4 people and is led by researchers who study the behaviours of these primates.
How to get to Kabale town?
Kabale town is located over 412 kilometers from the capital city Kampala. The cheapest means to access Kabale is by road transport through the Masaka-Mbarara highway then Mbarara-Kabale highway via Ntungamo district. However, Kabale town can also be accessed by air with a charted domestic flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kabale Airport. This airport is located 5 kilometers from the Kabale-Kisoro highway and is the main airport in Kabale.
