Kabale Town, also known sometimes as “Kaston,” is located in Kabale district in Uganda, in western Uganda.
The word Kabale means “a small stone” in the local Rukiga language.
The estimated number of people living in Kabale is 41,350 people.
Kabale town is also located 10 kilometers away from Katuna border of Rwanda.
The town is busy with lots of tourist activities to be done.
It is also a common stop for tourists who book gorilla trekking from Kigali.
Top Things to do in Kabale Town
Activities to Do in Kabale Town:
- Gorilla Trekking: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located near Kabale town. The park is home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas and is the only place in the world where gorilla habituation can be done. There are about 15 habituated mountain gorilla families in Bwindi National Park, and two groups are currently being habituated. Only a maximum of eight people are allowed to trek a given gorilla family, and an hour of observation is given once they find the gorillas. The cost of gorilla trekking is $700, and for gorilla habituation, it is $1500 per person.
- Visit Edirisa House: House of Edirisa is a replica museum set up in a traditional homestead showcasing the culture of the Bakiga people from years ago. There is also a departure point where you can canoe to the highlands of Kabale, get entertained by local traditional dancers, and buy souvenirs from a gift shop near the museum.
- Visit Lake Bunyonyi: Lake Bunyonyi is Uganda’s most scenic lake, situated in Kabale town. The lake is also sometimes known as the Lake of Little Lakes. Lake Bunyonyi is an ideal place for relaxation after gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park. You can go swimming in the lake because it’s bilharzias-free. Boat cruises can be done on one of the islands, like one known as Punishment Island, where girls who got pregnant without husbands would be sent to die years ago. Lake Bunyonyi is also an ideal place for bird watching.
- Mountain Biking: Kabale is one of the hilliest towns in Uganda and is an ideal place for mountain biking. You can ride around the lake and village farm plantations, giving you an adventurous experience in the African countryside.
Where to Stay
There are various accommodation options in Kabale town, Bwindi National Park, and Lake Bunyonyi, ranging from budget, mid-range, and luxurious hotels.
Some of the hotels to stay in include Green Hill Hotel, Cephas Inn, Arcadia Cottages, Bunyonyi Safari Resort, Nature’s Prime Island, Bunyonyi Overland Resort, and Edirisa Guest Hotel, among others.
How to Get There
Kabale town is about 470 kilometers from Kampala, the capital of Uganda.
The town can be reached within 7-8 hours from Kampala.
You can reach Kisoro Airstrip from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield.
