A tour of the inviting Kabale town is a memorable experience in the western part of Uganda. Kabale means ‘a small stone,’ named after a very heavy piece of iron. Legend says that people came from distant places to see and touch it. Kabale town lies at an elevation of around 2,000 meters above sea level, north of Katuna, where the border with Rwanda is situated.

Kibale town is in Kibale district, and the overall human population of the district is 285,097 with the town being inhabited by around 53,200 of them. The majority of the populace is Bakiiga. Other significant tribes here include the Bahororo and the Banyarwanda of Bufumbira. These people come from various backgrounds with distinct cultures, languages clans, etc.

What are the key attractions in Kabale town?

Local market

A tour of Kabale town is an opportunity for you to visit a local market, with Kabale Central Market a key destination. Take this chance to explore the various fresh organic foods grown and harvested from the terraced gardens of the Kabale district. Beans, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, Irish potatoes, and cassava, among others, are some of the crops grown in Kabale that you can purchase to cook.

Lake Bunyonyi

Your tour of Kabale town will still be incomplete without an exploration of Lake Bunyonyi. The 56 square kilometers wide Lake Bunyonyi is the second deepest in the African continent, after Lake Tanganyika. Your tour of Lake Bunyonyi offers breathtaking views of the 29 Islands in it. Other captivating attractions at Lake Bunyonyi include distinct bird and mammal species.

All Saints Church

This is the biggest Anglican church in the Kabale district. The church is conveniently located in the heart of the town. Access is quite easy especially on Sundays since this is a day for worship among the believers. All Saint’s Church Kabale is a 2-storey structure designed with modern architecture.

Other attractions in Kabale town include the Katuna border, Nyakagyera cave, the rolling hills towards the town’s outskirts, terraced farms, and many others.

Activities to do during a tour in Kabale town?

While exploring Lake Bunyonyi, you can go for exciting activities like canoeing, boat cruises, nature walks, cycling, and ziplining. Numerous wildlife species reside in and around Lake Bunyonyi and are available for viewing. Birds like African harrier hawk, pied kingfisher, grey crowned cranes, etc., and animals like zebra, impalas, and waterbucks, etc. are available.

You can interact with the local people of the Kabale district in the market, bars, restaurants, neighborhoods, etc. Feel free to approach some people and learn a few words in Lukiiga. These people are warm and if not busy will give you their time to talk about their lifestyles. There are also locally made crafts that you can buy as souvenirs for your memories.

In the market, you will also explore and buy a variety of locally grown food to cook for yourself. There are also locally produced crafts that you can find in the market to buy as a memento. You can also visit a local restaurant to eat the dishes they prepare. This is an opportunity to try out the local cuisine, as you interact with the attendants.

Explore the town to get a unique perspective of Ugandans and their unique way of life. You can also hike up in the beautiful hills of Kabale to get different views of the town. This is also an opportunity to witness the residential development, gardens, livestock, and other interesting elements of the people.

You can also explore the Nyakagyera cave, which is over 14 kilometers away from Kabale town. This is an opportunity to see and take photographs of this unspoken geological wonder. There are also beautiful rocks around that you can identify. Come and learn about the cultural significance of the Nyakagyera cave to the Bakiiga people.

Worship at the All Saints Church on Sunday. This is an opportunity to join the Anglicans and other members of the congregation for spiritual nourishment. All Saints Church also has a delightful choir group that will fill your mind with powerful harmonies of music. You can also get insight into how and when this magnificent church was established.

How to reach Kabale Town?

Kabale Town can be accessed by road transport. Kabale town is around 415 kilometers from Kampala City via Masaka, Mbarara and Ntungamo. The journey takes 7-8 hours. For a comfortable scenic drive, you can use private transportation. Reputable tour operators like Standard Safaris offer excellent cars that suit your budget and preferences.

You can choose to travel in any 4×4 safari land cruiser, minivan, saloon car, etc. At Standard Safaris, our well-maintained vehicles are driven by experienced guides. These are knowledgeable about the road conditions and Uganda in general. Therefore, your journey to and within Kabale town will have a combination of being insightful, fun, and comfortable.

Traveling from Rwanda is also a possibility. From Kigali city, you can travel by road across the Katuna border. This is a 165-kilometer scenic journey to Kabale and will take almost 3 hours.

Air transport is also a good option if you wish the journey would take less time. Through Standard Safaris, you can book a domestic flight from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airstrip. This is a 1 hour and 15 minutes scheduled flight offered by AeroLink. From the airstrip, you will use road transport to Kabale town, which takes around 2 hours.