Hostels in KABALE, UGANDA

Wandering through the Mountain Town of Kabale in Uganda

Kabale is a city located in the south western part of Uganda. It is located approximately 405 km from the largest city in Uganda, Kampala. It forms a part of the transformational hub and is often dubbed as the market town. The city is a convenient point of halt for tourists coming to parks famous for mountain gorilla tracking or people coming towards Lake Bunyonyi. Mountain gorillas have brought Kabale on to the world map with regards to animal tracking.

Accommodation Options
Kabale has some exiting accommodation options. The Kabale Museum has a small hostel of its own with most of the facilities required for a tourist. Popular accommodation options are cottages, hostels, lodges, guesthouses and budget hotels. Tented camps and cheap rooms can be rented through local communities near the parks. Bed and breakfasts are available as well.

History
The city has always been an important part of the Kigezi sub-region. Even earlier, the hills in this area have been heavily cultivated. The beautiful and green hilly landscape of the city has always attracted settlers from faraway places. The beautiful town lies 2000 km above the sea level which makes it colder than most of the other parts of Uganda. The town and the mountain gorillas form a part of many fables and legends of Uganda.

Popular Places
Mountains and mountain gorilla are synonymous with Kabale with thousands of European and American tourists coming for the sole purpose of seeing mountain gorillas. Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are popular with foreign tourists for mountain gorilla tracking. Through Kabale museum, one can understand the traditional life of largest tribe of south western Uganda, Bakiga Tribe. Kabale museum has its own restaurant, with a fair trade gift shop and an information centre. Royal Supermarket is popular with locals and tourists to avail daily fresh produce. Golf side Camp Site Restaurant is popular with tourists. Restaurants, bars, cafes are famous for being a combination of traditions and modernity.

Getting Around
Tourists can use any of the several 'Express public buses' coming to Kabale from Kampala. Visitors can get regional maps at the Tourist Information Office here. Car rental is also a good option while coming to Kabale. The city, its people and everything can be best experienced by foot. A local guide can be hired who can help in language translation as well. Matutus and pickup trucks are common modes of transport with the local people but are not recommended for tourists.

Places of Entertainment
Tourists have called it the ‘Switzerland of Africa’ for its beautiful climate. You can experience the lifestyle of the Bakiga tribe in Kabale. The coldest place in Uganda offers exciting options of wildlife photography and camping. Mountain gorilla tracking requires patience but is extremely rewarding in the end and the process helps you connect with the place.

Checking numerous animal species in the forests here is an excellent way of entertainment as the forests are one of the richest eco-systems in Africa with hundreds of species of mammals, birds, butterflies, ferns, trees, frogs and even rare endangered species.

Languages Spoken
English is understood by tourist guides and many locals at the airport, banks and other tourist spots. Swahili along with many other local dialects are spoken widely.

Currency
Some hotels do offer currency exchange still it is advised to keep checking the latest news about currency conversion. Ugandan shilling is the official currency used at this place.