Kabale is located 430km by road, southwest of Kampala, Uganda’s capital city. Kabale town isbiggest town in Kigezi District, which once covered the present day districts like Kabale, Kanungu, Kisoro and Rukungiri which lie in the southwest corner of Uganda. The Katuna border post lies 12km from Kabale on the Rwanda- Uganda border. This beautiful area is wrapped up with cultivated terraces and rolling hills, forest and lakes, thus has a distinctive character. Popularly known as the Switzerland of East Africa in some books and magazines, Kabale is one of the highest towns in Uganda at 2000m above sea level, with pretty cool temperatures at nights falling up to 10°C (50°F). Average monthly temperatures are around 18 °C (64 °F).
Top Attractions:
Kabale is a popular gateway to gorilla tracking trips at Bwindi & Mgahinga gorilla National Parks.
It is one of the best destinations in Uganda to explore superb mountain hiking.
Kabale is a gateway to Lake Bunyonyi (Africa’s second deepest lake), one of perfect relaxation spots in southwestern Uganda.
The Virunga Mountains which lie along the Rwanda-Dem Rep of Congo border are visible from the town Kabale
Ihamba Hot Springs situated on Kabale-Katuna Road, 8km, south of Kabale town. These springs are popularly known to local residents for healing joint pains and illnesses.
Banking:
Popular banks like those in Kampala have their branches in Kabale. These are scattered along the Kabale-Kisoro Road. They include; Centenary Rural Development bank, Barclays bank, Stanbic bank, Crane bank, DFCU bank, Equity bank, KCB, National Bank of Commerce, Post bank and Bank of Uganda. Several micro-finance banks also operate in this town.
Shopping:
Royal Supermarket and Jamali Supermarket located along Kisoro Road are far the best and offer wide range of consumer goods and drinks
Kabale central market is the largest source of fresh food in Kabale
Internet:
Amagara Café located next to little Ritz restaurant charges Ush25 per minute. Voice of Kigezi Radio (Mbarara-Kabale Road) also operates and internet café at its reception.
Where to Eat:
Little Ritz Restaurant, White Horse Inn
Nightlife:
Club Cheers (Nyerere Road) is the only club in Kabale
Accommodation:
Lodges and hotels are scattered along the hills and Main Street. Other accommodation options are concentrated along the Lake Bunyonyi area. Below is a list accommodation deals in Kabale:
- Greenhill Hotel,
- Cephas Inn,
- Crater Bay Cottages,
- Bunyonyi Safari Resort (Lake Bunyonyi),
- Arcadia Cottages (Lake Bunyonyi)
- Nature’s Prime Island (Lake Bunyonyi),
- Kalebas Camp (Lake Bunyonyi),
- Heritage Lodge (Lake Bunyonyi),
- Edirisa Museum Hostel,
- Byoona Amagara Island Retreat (Lake Bunyonyi),
- Bunyonyi Overland Resort (Lake Bunyonyi)
Getting There:
Gateway & Horizon are the popular bus companies and they leave Kampala to Kabale daily. The Post bus leaves at 08:00 from the main post office Monday to Saturday.
Other buses are available in the Baganda bus and the new Nakivubo Bus Terminal next to Nakivubo Stadium. They charge Ush 20,000 and above depending on the season of the year.