Hostels in KICHWAMBA, UGANDA

Travelling through Kichwamba: The Town of Lakes

Kichwamba is a small town in Uganda. The town forms a part of the Bushyenyi region. The sparsely populated area is 63 miles from Kabale. Fish and Kichwamba are synonymous with fisheries forming an important source of income. Waters of Kichwamba have thousands of species of fishes and other flora and fauna. It is growing for its aqua tourism with numerous options of recreational activities. People from nearby regions come here to see many exotic plants and animal species found all throughout the year.

Accommodation Options
Lodges are the best option when it comes to accommodation in Kichwamba.  Bed and breakfasts are available along with some private accommodations. The hotel scene is still in its initial stages but many guesthouses have sprung up owing to many traders halting at Kichwamba.  You can rent tents for private campsites with fish barbeques popular here. Most tourists are known to live with locals to experience their culture closely. It is advised to buy a mosquito net and other common medicines in Kabale itself before coming to Kichwamba.

History
Fisheries are an important aspect of the Kichwamba region as there are many lakes and rivers here. Like many parts of Bushyenyi region, Kichwamba has always been home to many tribes of Africa. Famous lakes here include Lake Edward, Lake George and the Kazinga Channel.

Popular Places
The area has many fishing communities popular with traders. Small cafes are popular for yummy breakfasts along with traditional singing and dancing in the evenings and special occasions. The town has recently seen a rise in foreign tourists with good camping facilities emerging. Open markets are popular with locals and people coming to Kichwamba for trading. Many endangered animal species including many types of frogs are found here and visitors are common during the rains when the flora and fauna is at its natural best.

Getting Around
Public buses are a good option while coming to Kichwamba. If you are coming here from Kabale, there are many options available all throughout the day and some even during the nights. Private vehicles and boda-bodas are also popular. It is recommended to hire a local guide either here or in Kabale directly even if the trip to Kichwamba is only a short stay.

Places of Entertainment
Watching and interacting with local people is fun and rewarding. The local dance here is similar to other parts of Uganda, but the drum beats and noises made are slightly different. Local cuisine has many fish related delicacies. It is often said that if you haven’t enjoyed fish dishes in the Kichwamba region, you haven’t done anything. The best part of Kichwamba is that unlike other towns, it has still maintained its small town culture and existence. It is cheaper than many other tourist locations.

Languages Spoken
This particular town has many speakers of other Ugandan dialects apart from popular Swahili and Luganda. English is not very popular but people at places of accommodation speak decent English.

Currency
Ugandan Shilling is the only currency used in Kichwamba. It is highly recommended to check news and updates for currency conversion at Kabale itself.