Fort Portal City is named after the former British special commissioner for Uganda, whose statue graces the main road. The city is located between the Mountains of the Moon, Mt. Rwenzori, Kibale National Park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park. 52km south of the city lies the magnificent Semuliki Valley and several crater lakes. The city was founded as early as the year 1893.
Location.
Fort Portal City is located in the western region of Uganda. It lies approximately 320km from Kampala city. Its coordinates are; 00 39 “North, 300 16’ 30” East (Latitude: 0.6600; Longitude: 30.2750).
Climate and temperature.
The variation in precipitation between the driest and wettest months is 205mm/8inch. During the year, the average temperatures vary by 2.30C. The month with the highest relative humidity is November (85.22%). February (59.07%) has the lowest relative humidity. Furthermore, the month with the highest number of rainy days is October (26.67 days). January has the lowest number of rainy days (6.77days).
The best time to visit Fort Portal City is during January, February, March, April, May, June, and December.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN AND AROUND FORT PORTAL.
Bigodi wetlands sanctuary.
About an hour from Fort Portal, Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is home to over eight primate species. It is a reliable destination for vegetation lovers. It offers opportunities for visitors to walk through these jungle swamps for study and tourism purposes. Several plant species are found here, including wild palms, pilita fig trees, and papyrus. Additionally, the sanctuary is a potential birding area. It consists of about 138 species of birds, including the Great Blue Turaco.
Amabere Ganyinamwiru Caves.
10 kilometers outside Fort Portal city lies the historical limestone site known as Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru. They are a home to interesting legendary stories. The cave has a massive, even cave roof crypt, dotted with water drops resembling the exact stature of usual rain. The cave has breast-like features on the roof with a whitish, milk-like substance, thus the name. It was created by a chemical reaction between water and salt.
History has it that Bukuku (the then king of Batembuzi – predecessors of the present Babito kings of Toro) had a beautiful daughter by the name of Nyinamwiru. She refused to get married to the man her father had proposed for her, hence fleeing the place. The father cut off her breasts in retaliation for her disobedience. It is therefore believed that the caves are the breasts of the King’s daughter, hence the name “Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru”.
Tooro kingdom palace.
Sitting on one of the high hilltops of Fort Portal city is the mighty Tooro palace of Tooro kingdom. It is one of the places on should not miss while paying a visit to the city. The palace saw its restoration from its ruins by Late Col. Muammar Gaddafi of Libya. The palace gives tourists an opportunity to turn their moments into memories as they get knowledge of how beautiful kingdoms were in the history of Uganda and Africa as a whole.
The Karambi Royal Tombs.
Located along Fort Portal – Kasese road just 7km south-west of Fort Portal lays the historical and cultural Karambi Royal Tombs. This is a place where Toro kings are buried. Currently, the place is home to remains of three kings by the names of Omukama Kaboyo II, Omukama Rukidi III and Omukama Kyebambe. A number of former princes and princesses were also laid to rest at this place.
Tooro Botanical Gardens.
This is one of the places in Uganda where various plant species are conserved. It is here that you can find a number of tree species of different types and colors, you can as well learn about a number of medicinal herbs as you enjoy the beauty of the area in its resting where you can take as many pictures as your camera can store.
Kibale forest national park.
While in Fort Portal you can choose to visit one of Uganda’s wildlife homes none other than Kibale Forest National Park. Here you get introduced to the dramatic tropical rainforest from where you can watch a number of animal species including the famous chimpanzees, leopards, forest hogs, forest elephants alongside multiple bird species.
Crater lakes.
A number of crater lakes some of which can never be seen elsewhere in the world are found in Fort Portal. The lakes vary in terms of shape and size but all give a unique experience once visited. A number of lakes can be found in Ndali – Kasenda area just 30km from the city and the most common crater is the magnificent Lake Nyinambuga whose image appears on the twenty thousand Uganda shillings note. Other craters include; L. Mubiro, L. Nkuruba, L. Nyamusagani, to mention but a few.
Mugusu market.
Every Wednesday, at Mugusu (12km from the city) along Fort Portal –Kasese road happens an open air market. A number of local commodities of different kinds are found here, you enjoy relatively cheap prices, people moving here and there as well as getting to understand the nature of African market.
NOTE: Fort Portal city has recently been declared a tourism city in Uganda thus its adventurous activities cannot be listed to the maximum.
WHERE TO STAY WHILE IN FORT PORTAL CITY?
Fort Portal offers a number of accommodation properties ranging from budget, mid-range and luxury. These include but not limited to the following; Kyaninga lodge, mountains of the moon hotel, Primate lodge, Fort Heights Homestay, Rweteera safari park, Kalitusi Backpackers Hostel and Campsite, Dutchess Hotel and Restaurant, Nyaika Hotel, Kyaninga Royal Cottage, Kibale Guest Cottages, Fortpearls and Njara suits.