Kisoro Town is located in the southwestern part of Uganda. It is in the hilliest part of the country, covering an area of 729.7 square kilometers, with an estimated population of 266,222 people based on 2009 data. The nearest town to Kisoro is Kabale Town.
Kisoro is 550 kilometers from Kampala, and it takes about 10 to 12 hours to drive there by road. Tourists can also fly to Kisoro Airstrip from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield, which takes about two hours.
If Kisoro is part of a bigger southwestern Uganda trip you’re planning, check out Uganda tours for more options.
Tourist Activities in Kisoro Town
Visit Lake Mutanda: Lake Mutanda is a beautiful lake surrounded by the Virunga Volcanoes and Kisoro Hills in western Uganda. Tourists can take a local dugout canoe to explore one of its 15 islands while enjoying wide views of the Virunga Massif Volcanoes.
Gorilla Trekking: Kisoro is close to Mgahinga National Park, home to mountain gorillas. Visitors can fly to Kisoro Airstrip and drive to the park. The town is also near gorilla parks in Congo and Rwanda. Gorilla trekking is one of the most popular tourist activities in Africa, and gorillas are closely related to humans, sharing 98% of their DNA. The cost of trekking is $800 per person, and tourists are allowed one hour to observe the gorillas.
Mountain Climbing: Kisoro offers opportunities for volcanic mountain climbing. Three of the Virunga Mountains in Uganda are home to mountain gorillas: Mount Gahinga (3,475 meters), Mount Sabyinyo (3,669 meters), and Mount Muhabura (4,127 meters). These volcanoes provide an exciting climbing experience with wide views. Mount Sabyinyo, for example, offers views of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo from its summit.
Cultural Encounters: Visitors can experience the culture of Kisoro by exploring the Batwa Trail. The Batwa are an indigenous group who lived in the gorilla forests before being relocated. A Batwa guide will share stories of their way of life, including how they hunted for food, used plants for medicine, and practiced their traditions. You can also visit the Bakiga people, who live outside the park and are known for their farming activities.
Golden Monkey Trekking: Golden monkeys are an endangered species, and Mgahinga National Park has the highest population, with about 3,000 to 4,000 monkeys. These monkeys live in groups of 40 to 100 and are known for their playful nature and unique appearance. Golden monkey trekking is affordable and easier than gorilla trekking, with no limit on the number of trekkers.
Why Kisoro Is a Convenient Base
Kisoro’s location makes it one of the most convenient jumping-off points in southwestern Uganda, sitting within easy reach of Mgahinga National Park, Lake Mutanda, and the border crossings into both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This makes the town a practical base for travelers combining gorilla trekking with volcano hiking, golden monkey tracking, or a multi-country itinerary across the Virunga region, all without needing to relocate between activities.
