Kasese

Kasese is a town of 102,000 people (2014) in Western Uganda. The city is a gateway to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park and to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Kasese grew around the copper mine at Kilembe, but attention later turned to cobalt mining. It is the chief town of Kasese District, and the district headquarters are located there. Kasese is also the largest town in the Rwenzururu region. Charles Mumbere, the Omusinga of Rwenzururu, maintains a palace in the town.

Kasese is approximately 345 kilometres (214 mi), by road, west of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. ​This is about 61 km (38 mi), by road, north-east of Mpondwe, the border town at the international border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Buses from Kampala to Link and Kalita take five hours the fare is USh 25,000. The same buses from Fort Portal take one hour and the fare is USh 5,000. There are also 14-seat vans coming from Kabale and Mbarara. The 14-seat van fare from Mbarara is USh 20,000.

Aerolink Uganda operates daily flights from Entebbe.

• 0.19083330.1027781 Kasese Airport.  (updated Jul 2022)

Boda-boda anywhere in town for USh 1000.

• 0.36666729.951 Rwenzori Mountains National Park.  (updated Apr 2015)
• Lake Katwe

Kasese is the main gateway to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, famous for snow-capped peaks and challenging trekking routes.

Kasese is close to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most visited parks. Many activities are done including;

• •Game drives to see elephants, buffaloes, lions, and antelopes.
• •Boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel, famous for hippos and crocodiles.
• •Bird watching, especially around wetlands and crater lakes.

Around Kasese and the Rwenzori foothills, there are several crater lakes such as:

• Lake Nyamunuka area
• Katwe crater salt lake region
• Visitors can enjoy scenic views, photography, and guided nature walks.

At Lake Katwe, tourists can observe traditional salt mining:

• Learn how locals extract salt from the crater lake.
• See historical mining techniques still in use today.
• Cultural interaction with salt worker.

Kasese is an excellent base for cycling through rural communities, farmland, and the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. Guided bicycle safaris and nature rides can take visitors along village roads, crater landscapes, river valleys, and community projects while offering views of the "Mountains of the Moon." Some local tour operators also combine cycling with birdwatching, cultural visits, and wildlife experiences.

A walk or bicycle ride around Kasese town provides a glimpse into everyday life in western Uganda. Visitors can explore local markets, interact with residents, sample regional food, and enjoy views of the Rwenzori Mountains from various points around town. The nearby Kilembe area, Nyamwamba River Valley, and former mining settlements add historical and scenic interest.

• Stanbic Bank, Stanley street. Has a MasterCard/Visa ATM. (updated Apr 2015)
• Equity bank, Mpondwe road. Has a MasterCard/Visa ATM. (updated Jun 2015)

• White House Hotel Restaurant, Plot no 46 white house dr Henry Bwambale Road, ☏ +256 782-536263. 7AM-10PM. Has a good low cost restaurant on the 2nd floor of the hotel. (updated Dec 2015)
• Chicken Inn Takeaway (next to Barclays bank). 8AM-8PM. Low cost place to eat. (updated Dec 2015)

• White House Hotel, Plot no 46 White house Dr Herry bwambale road (300m from the Barclays bank.), ☏ +256 782-536263, +256 703-467660. Check-in: 10AM, check-out: 10AM. Clean fan single room with outside bathroom and TV. Clean fan double room with own bathroom and TV. Free breakfast for all rooms. Has it own internet cafe USh 1,500 an hour. Has its own low cost restaurant on the 2nd floor. Clean budget hotel. single room USh 21,000. (updated Dec 2015)
• Divine Guest House, 42 Kasese Road. Check-in: noon, check-out: 10AM. Single/double rooms with shared facilities and breakfast. has Wi-Fi. Single USh 15,000, double USh 25,000. (updated Dec 2015)
• Allans Resort, Kasese Road. Check-in: 11AM, check-out: 9AM. Single/double room with own bathroom and cable TV. USh 44000/56000. (updated Jun 2015)
• Ataco holiday inn and bar, Stanley Road. Clean double rooms with own bathroom. Double USh 30,000. (updated Dec 2015)
• 0.2549630.109261 ^{[dead link]} Equator Snow Lodge, Mubuku. On the foothills of the Rwenzori mountains. The cabins are spacious and are solar-powered.  (updated Sep 2017)

• Friends Internet cafe, Stanley Street. 8AM-9PM. There are also a few more internet cafes around town. USh 1,800 per hour. (updated Sep 2015)
• White House Hotel Internet cafe. 20 min USh 500. 40 min USh 1000. USh 1500 an hour. (updated Dec 2015)

• Fort Portal
• Mbarara