The 34 Crater Lakes of Fort Portal

With Standard Safaris, you can have an extraordinary travel journey to 34 crater lakes of Fort Portal in western Uganda. Crater lakes are water bodies found on volcanic craters or calderas, features which are formed by volcanic activity. Fort Portal, situated at the base of the Rwenzori mountains is blessed with at least 34 crater lakes, the most in Uganda.

These can be explored for their unique beauties and captivating geological features that offer insight into volcanic activity. Some of the crater lakes in Fort Portal include Lake Kanyango, Lake Kasenda, Lake Katanda, Lake Kifuruka, Lake Lugembe, Lake Lyantonde, Lake Mubiro, Lake Murigamire, Lake Mutusi, Lake Mwamba, Lake Mwegenyi, Lake Mwimba, Lake Nkuraba, Lake Ntambi, Lake Nyabikere, Lake Nyamirima, Lake Nyamugasani, Lake Nyamiteza, Lake Nyanswiga, Lake Nyinambuga, and Lake Rwenjuba.

Other Activities

Birdwatching

This activity is done at the crater lakes offer views of colorful avian species. In the surrounding vegetation and the rims, you will clear views of birds such as Ross’s turaco, white-browed robin chat, African blue flycatcher, scarlet chested sunbird, malachite kingfisher, grey crowned crane, papyrus gonolek among others.

Nature walks.

This activity can be vigorous or leisurely to provide a memorable opportunity to have panoramic views of the landscape covered by luxurious green vegetation. Nature walks also provides views of the Mountain Rwenzori and its snowcapped peaks. You can take photos during the nature walks for the unforgettable tour of Fort Portal.

Photography

Photography provides the perfect opportunity to take photos of the tranquil waters of the Carter Lakes and their lovely surroundings as backdrops. You can also photograph the local wildlife and green hills to document the natural wonders of Fort Portal. The best time to take these photographs is during the rainy season when the vegetation is dense and bird species are thriving.

Cycling

This is another way to explore the crater lakes while pedaling via scenic tracks. Enjoy the sweet atmosphere as the winds slap your lovely face while on a bicycle with the hope of exploring as many crater lakes as possible.

Chimpanzee trekking

You can also head to Kibale National Park to trek and watch a group of chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Only 15.5 kilometers from Fort Portal town, this tropical rainforest has over 1,500 chimpanzees the highest chimpanzee population in Uganda. Go for an intimate 1 hour encounter to witness the unique complex social interactions of one of the most sought-after primate species in the world.

Climbing the Mountain Rwenzori

You can also have a thrilling yet challenging hiking experience of ascending Uganda’s highest peak. The destination is about 54.3 kilometers from Fort Portal town and you can reach there on the road in less than 2 hours. The Rwenzori mountains also offer panoramic views of the glacial peaks, birding adventures, and camping among many other activities.

Best Time to Visit Fort Portal for Crater Lakes Tour

The best time is during the dry season in December, January, February, June, July, and August. These dry months offer uninterrupted and exciting tour experiences since the chances of rain during your tour are low. The tracks are also drier since they are relatively easier to navigate thus making your tour stress-free. The dry season offers clear skies and warm conditions for outdoor activities such as nature tours. However, the rainy season is perfect for luxurious surrounding vegetation cover and more birds around the crater lakes. This season is from March to May and from late September to November. However, the tracks are relatively unnavigable since they are muddy and most times slippery due to heavy rains.

Getting to Fort Portal for Crater Lakes Exploration

On the road, Fort Portal is about 296.4 kilometers west of Kampala city center and the panoramic journey takes 5-6 hours. Upon arriving in Fort Portal, you will connect to the crater lakes via different murram tracks. You can hire Standard Safaris because we have experienced driver guides who will ensure your transportation is insightful and comfortable. Air transport is also available and you can board an aircraft from Kajjansi Airfield or Murchison Falls National Park to Fort Portal Airport.

The flight takes approximately an hour and offers aerial views of Uganda’s beautiful scenery. Upon reaching the airport, you will be driven to the crater lakes by road, therefore you are advised to book through Standard Safaris.

What to pack on a Crate Lakes tour in Fort Portal?

Light clothes (full-sleeved shirt and pair of trousers)
Rain jacket or raincoat to stay dry in case it rains during the tour
Strong hiking shoes with the necessary traction to walk on uneven terrain.
Sun hat, sunglasses, and suncream
Binoculars to see distant birds and other local wildlife species
Camera and an extra battery for you to take photos
A refillable water bottle to store sufficient water to quench your thirst
Snacks that you can eat in case you become hungry while on tour
Basic first aid kit for minor injuries or medical emergencies

Sándor Jakubinyi

14:31 22 Feb 24

2019 megigazulás

12:45 21 Feb 24

We went on a two-week trip with my family, organised by Coleb from Standard Safaris.

I had my concerns about organised trips, but this one didn’t justify any of those. Everything went very smoothly, even when some problems arose with one of the cars it got fixed by next morning, the accomodations were clean and comfortable, the programs were exciting and well-balanced - everything was done to a truly high standard.

If you plan to visit Uganda and are looking for a guide, I warmly recommend Coleb and his team. In case you have a choice of drivers, go for Godwin, his presence made this trip even more enjoyable - cheerful, helpful, good sense of humour, generally a great person. Just look for the guy with a big smile and big heart:)

Bert Simoens

09:38 08 Jan 24

We recently embarked on a safari adventure with Standard Safaris in Uganda, which was truly exceptional. Our guide, Yonah, was outstanding - his kindness, knowledge, and discretion significantly enhanced our experience. He was the heart of our trip.

The local company's planning was offering a tailor-made journey that matched our interests. We saw an array of wildlife in Murchison, enjoyed rafting at Jinja, and experienced mountain biking at Sipi. A visit to Kidepo National Park was a highlight and comes highly recommended.

The vehicle provided was comfortable and reliable. We highly recommend Standard Safaris for anyone seeking an unforgettable safari in Uganda. Their professionalism and the exceptional guidance of staff like Yonah make them an great choice.

Michał Kostrzewa

00:41 15 Nov 23

We are all extremely grateful Standard Safaris for an incredible East Africa experience. I recently booked a custom trip for group of 8 people, including an 8-year-old boy, from Kampala through Queen Elizabeth National Park and on to Rwanda and Burundi. Coleb delivered on everything that was discussed and agreed upon beforehand.

The car provided was in great condition and our driver Meddy went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable, informed, and had the best possible time. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. All local services were inlcuded in (reasonable) price that we agreed, so there was no need to worry about payments during the 6 day trip. Also Standard Safaris agreed took care about safety and security by helping us organize armed ranger while in the park.

The whole trip was hassle-free and smooth. We saw amazing wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP, took in the sights of Rwanda and Burundi, and made lifelong memories.

I would happily book with Standard Safaris again in a heartbeat and recommend them wholeheartedly to anyone looking for the best East Africa trip. They provide top-notch service while ensuring you have an incredible, customized experience. If you want a hassle-free, flawlessly organized African adventure, Standard Safaris is the tour operator to book with.

Ivan Nammanda

18:31 27 Oct 23

Very organized travel operator who chose awesome guide to make our trip wonderful.

We booked a nine days trip with Standard Safaris and all was perfect from start to finish. Coleb was very prompt at replying and easy to liaise with ahead of the trip. We had done a lot of research and had an itinerary in mind and Coleb helped us to put everything together to make this happen for a very reasonable price.  On the trip we had a private vehicle for the whole tour which was exactly what we wanted. Bryan was our driver and an amazing guide - really friendly and knowledgable, working hard to find the things that we wanted to see and quickly understanding what was of interest to us/how much information to give.

Would highly recommend a trip to Uganda with Standard Safaris. We are definitely coming back soon!

MUGAIGA KENNETH

18:01 27 Oct 23

The company has very courteous tour guides with wide knowledge of fauna and frola in the whole of East Africa.
The choice of safari Lodges is good with first class treatment.
Game drive security is assured.
Almost The whole of September I was traversing through DRC, Uganda,and Rwanda on a gorilla tour and wildlife expedition.
Everything was arranged and booked perfectly by Standard Safaris.
The owner, Coleb was always helpful whenever we needed to ask questions about this gorilla safari in Uganda and beyond.
It was a complex expedition but Standard safaris and Coleb made it look amazingly easy.
I’ll recommend Standard safaris 200%, for all gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and wildlife tours in east africa.

travel uganda

16:35 27 Oct 23

This is so far the best gorilla trekking company in Uganda, and africa, by far. I had a wonderful time with Standard Safaris as a solo traveler.
My guide was excellent and our safari planner, Coleb was quick with responses and the prices were very friendly.
I’ll definitely book with Standard safaris on my next gorilla tour in Rwanda and Uganda.

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