Best Safari Lodges in Fort Portal
These are the best Safari lodges in Fort Portal: Fort Portal is found in the western region of Uganda with both the seat of Kabarole district and Toro kingdom. Fort Portal, the tourist city, was named after a historical site and also the British Administrator Sir Gerald Herbert Portal. Sir Gerald was appointed as British Special Commissioner to East Africa in 1892. He was delegated to visit Uganda to establish whether the area was worth becoming a British Protectorate as a need to replace the cease to functioning Imperial British East Africa Company. The Fort was constructed in the 1800s as a way of protecting the Tooro kingdom from King Kabalega of Bunyoro and guerrilla raids. This led to the birth of its name, Fort Portal. This is the one city in the country that has an English name.
The major activity in Fort Portal is tourism, and the main attractions are crater lakes, chimpanzee trekking, and hot springs exploration. Given its nature, Fort Portal has come to be branded as the tourism city in Uganda. The main ethnic group occupying Fort Port city is the Batooro and Bakiga as the minority.
Cultural Hub
Culture is paramount among the Batooro people, and giving pet names known as Empaako is inculcated in every child. Children are taught to respect and value elders, love, and be proud of their tribe. Empaako names are Abbooki, Abwooli, Acaali, Akiiki, Amooti, Abbala, Atenyi, Atwooki, Araali, Apuuli.
There is the twelfth empaako name, which is Okaali, reserved only for the omukama. Okaali is very special in that it is not regularly used to greet the omukama. Okaali is used on occasions when the tradition lifts the omukama to the rank of our gods.
When the Batooro people worship their king, they address him as Okaali. Omukama is the only mutooro with the two empaako names, upon becoming the omukama no matter what his empaako was before, he takes the empaako Amooti.This is the one used to greet him regularly. On special traditional ceremonies and custom ways, he is greeted as Okaali. Some Bakiga are also in Fort Portal from southwestern Uganda.
Attractions in Fort Portal
Semuliki National Park
Founded in 1993, Semuliki is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The main activities in this park are bird watching and hot spring tours. The park is bordered by River Semuliki and Lamia on the Ugandan border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, with Lake Albert in the north and Mount Rwenzori in the south. The park is home to 442 bird species, 53 mammals, a pygmy village, and Sempaya hot springs found in the Semuliki River valley close to Bundibugyo town. Sempaya hot springs are known for having boiling water shooting up from an eight-meter-wide hole. The experience of boiling eggs in the hot springs is done, and they get ready in minutes, demonstrating how hot it is.
Amabere ga Nyinamwiru caves
Also known as Nyakasura caves, given their location at Nyakasura Falls, are located on the Bundibugyo road. Amabere ga Nyinamwiru translates to the breasts of Nyinamwiru, the daughter of a local king who reportedly had her breasts cut off to make her less attractive to men. King Bukuku then hid her in the cave however, she became pregnant with the Batembuzi king Isaza and later gave birth to Ndahura. Unfit to breastfeed him, she used the milky dripping from the stalactites formed as a result of water dissolving limestone above the cave, where the water picks up calcium carbonate. So, over time, layers build up, forming milky dripping in the caves, which appear milky because of calcium carbonate content. Ndahura later became the king and took over Bukuku’s throne, which was rightfully Isaza’s, as the prophecy would have it. They are worth visiting.
Bigodi Sanctuary Wetland
This is a community-based organization that started with a view of uplifting the status and lifestyle of the lower-class families of Bigodi village. This community-based organization offers you opportunities to see six different species of primates during your walk and over 160 bird species and butterflies. The sanctuary is managed by the local communities, and the money collected is used to develop them.
With many incredible attractions in Fort Portal, there are various accommodation facilities, and below are some of them.
Mountains of the Moon
The hotel is located in Fort Portal town with views of mountain Rwenzori. It is named after the Rwenzori Mountain, which the locals call the mountain Ruwenzuru, which means mountains of the moon. The hotel has a blend of designs and French chic styles. Here, guests feel at home with the outdoor pool, garden, restaurant, full-service spa, fitness center, and sauna, giving guests a relaxing time after a long safari day.
Fort Heights Homestay
This is a modern home and one of the best safari lodges in Fort Portal. It has a capacious, quiet, and comforting one. The hotel is very good for a holiday away from all the rush and hurry. Close to Kibale National Park, one can stay at Fort Height. And go for chimpanzee trekking, nature walks, and bird watching in Kibale National Park. It’s good for guests who need a home-like environment and differs from routine hotel facilities. Fort Heights Homestay has enchanting river views, a children’s playground, and free Wi-Fi, all rooms are fitted with a private bathroom, seating area, TV satellite channels, and shower. The suites have a well-equipped kitchen with a microwave, fridge, and minibar.
Boulevard Excelsior Motel
This is located at Nyaika Avenue, Fort Portal. The rooms at Boulevard are very comfortable, affordable, and clean, with very helpful staff and great food. There are free WIFI comfortable spaces. The Boulevard Excelsior Motel is a budget-friendly facility that is suited with various amenities.
Hotel Akira Alira Lodge
This is a three-star service lodge located 5kms from Toro Botanical Gardens. The lodge offers car picks. Lodging features seven new cabins that invite you to enjoy life surrounded by the region’s natural beauty with views of mountain Rwenzori. Hotel Akira Alira Lodge offers activities such as a swimming pool, wall climbing, and ziplining to guests on order if they wish.
Hotel Shoebill Safari Lodge
Located in Karogoto, 14.6 kilometers from Sempaya National Park and 25.7 kilometers from Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve. Fitted with standard rooms with mountain views, bathrooms, bathrobes, shampoo, rainfall showerhead, soap, toilet paper, towels, bed sheets, air conditioning, fan, desk, cotton sheets, local meal delivery service, and bottled water.
Kalya Courts Hotel
Located on Maguru Itaara Road in Fort Portal, with top-class hospitality. It has a VIP bar and lounge, and wellness center. Generally, Kalya Courts Hotel’s nature is calling. It is one of the top lodges in Fort Portal. More so, it has a spacious garden, breathtaking mountain scenery bordered by the crater lakes, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Mountain Rwenzori.
