Kasese: National Parks, Springs and Culture

Kasese offers two very different kinds of scenery: the savannas and waters of Queen Elizabeth National Park and the glaciated peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains. There are also cultural attractions, hot springs and places where mining is a tourism theme. When planning your trip, it is worth first deciding whether wildlife, mountain scenery or culture will be your main focus. The destinations in Kasese District each offer something different.

Queen Elizabeth National Park: Water, Savanna and Wildlife

Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese District encompasses lakes, extensive savannas, natural forests and fertile swamps. Crater lakes among gentle hills also shape its landscape. The park thus brings together open spaces, forests and wetlands, as well as a variety of bodies of water. The Kazinga Channel, Lake George and Mubuku are among the park’s key tourism areas.

Along the shores of the Kazinga Channel, the park offers views of hippos, buffalo, elephants and several bird species; wildlife sightings may vary. Lions, leopards and hyenas are cited as commonly encountered predators on safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park. These are two different perspectives on the wildlife: the animals described by the water and the predators mentioned in connection with safaris. The park is also considered an Important Bird Area. More than 600 bird species are reported here; this number may change as further research is carried out.

Rwenzori: Glaciated Peaks and Challenging Treks

Kasese District is also home to Rwenzori Mountains National Park, which extends beyond the district. It protects the eastern slopes and glaciated peaks of the 120-kilometre-long Rwenzori Mountains. The mountain range is considered a destination for challenging hiking and mountaineering. This makes it a different focus for nature and activities than the lakes and savannas of Queen Elizabeth National Park: in the Rwenzori, high-altitude landscapes and mountain treks are the main draw.

Culture, Hot Springs and Mining Attractions

In Kasese town, Kiwa Heritage combines a swimming pool at the hot springs, volleyball on the banks of the Nyamwamba River and a cultural museum. The three offerings bring together water, exercise and culture. Check the current visiting conditions before your visit. Ribwe Ryathumba is also one of the hot spring destinations in Kasese District.

The cultural calendar also includes the Rwenzori Theluji Festival. It was gazetted in 2022 as an annual event held in Kasese District. If you plan to time your trip around the festival, check the current dates in advance.

Mining is another tourism theme. Kilembe Mine, Hima Cement and Kasese Cobalt are considered mining tourism destinations offering a mining experience; a visit to Lake Katwe Salt Mine is also offered as a mining experience. If you plan to visit these destinations, check current visiting arrangements in advance.

Getting Around the Western Region

In the wider Western Region travel area, the Nyakalengija trailhead for Rwenzori treks is 22 kilometres from Kasese, along the Fort Portal road. This regional reference adds another named starting point for Rwenzori treks to your travel planning around Kasese.

Discover more destinations: Kasenyi Village, Bushenyi, Kabale District, Mbarara District, Kisoro, Kabarole District, Kasese, Kamwenge.

For the regional travel overview: Western Region.