G2Rail

The township of Kisoro only has about 18,000 inhabitants living in the town proper, but there are more than a quarter of a million in its district, mostly eking out a living as subsistence farmers on low incomes. It's the last sizeable settlement in Western Uganda, hard up against the borders of both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.

Many foreign visitors to Uganda find that this is one of the nicest areas to spend time in with beautiful montagne scenery, smooth roads, and hard-working people eager to please and offer hospitality. However, the main attraction for many is the opportunity to get close with a troupe of habituated gorillas.

African fish eagles are commonly seen hunting over the many lakes in the district. At an elevation of 1,900 m (6230 ft), visitors from cooler climes will probably get a good night's sleep in the cool, clean and invigorating air of Kisoro.

The volcanic Mufumbiro Mountains dominate local views with Mount Karisimbi at 4,507 m (14,787 ft) being the highest volcano in this range. Immediately to the south of the township of Kisoro, Mount Muhabura, whose extinct volcanic peak delineates the border between Uganda and Rwanda at this point, is 4,127 m (13,540 ft) high.

Many foreign visitors come to view the mountain gorillas, critically endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, disease, and war. The Karisoke Research Center, founded by Dian Fossey to observe gorillas in their native habitat, is between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke.

In November 2013, about 1,500 fighters of the M23 Congolese rebellious faction, together with their leader, Sultani Makenga, surrendered in Mgahinga National Park a few kilometres to the south and were held on the local football pitch in Kisoro until being moved much further east to Chakwanze.

The region around Kisoro is the only place in the world outside of a zoo that you can see mountain gorillas face to face.

Gorillas up close and personal in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Potter's Village. Founded by the Anglican diocese of Muhabura in 2007 because there were too many babies dying because their mothers had died or been forced to abandon them, this centre arranges foster family support and has the only premature baby care unit in the district. Visitors are welcome to see the work of the centre and gain an insight into the plight of many local families M-F 10:00-17:00. Most of the babies are asleep 11:00-13:00. It also offers outpatient care for children of less than 13 years around the clock. The centre does not get government funding, and all donations, whether of money or expertise are welcomed. One of the founders wrote: "Our goal is to save lives. Without this ministry every baby here would have died. Thanks to the generosity of many donors from the UK and beyond, we are able to provide loving Christian care for an increasing number of little ones."
Lake Mutanda: probably the nicest way to see the lake with its many islands and islets is from the ridge above it to the south - perhaps when on the walking snake safari. By road, the easiest access is to head west out of Kisoro on the smooth main road to the DRC and then turn right at the un-signposted road just after you pass the distinctive squat, square tower on the roof of Saint Josephs Church, Nateete. on your right. You'll now be on the Kisoro-Busanza Road to the DRC. After 1.3 km you'll see a sign for the right turn to the lakeside Saint Pauls Church, Kaboko., founded by the Pentecostal bishop the Right Reverend Cranmer Mugisha in 2010. This is a green lane that runs between maize fields and wild flowers down to the water's edge where there is a small creek and usually a few dugouts if you fancy being paddled across the lake.
Virunga Volcanoes. The ones accessible from the Ugandan side are either extinct or long dormant but there were eruptions in the DRC in 2006 and again in 2010.

Gorillas up close and personal in either [[Bwindi Impenetrable National Park]] or [[Mgahinga Gorilla National Park]].

Potter's Village. Founded by the Anglican diocese of Muhabura in 2007 because there were too many babies dying because their mothers had died or been forced to abandon them, this centre arranges foster family support and has the only premature baby care unit in the district. Visitors are welcome to see the work of the centre and gain an insight into the plight of many local families M-F 10:00-17:00. Most of the babies are asleep 11:00-13:00. It also offers outpatient care for children of less than 13 years around the clock. The centre does not get government funding, and all donations, whether of money or expertise are welcomed. One of the founders wrote: "Our goal is to save lives. Without this ministry every baby here would have died. Thanks to the generosity of many donors from the UK and beyond, we are able to provide loving Christian care for an increasing number of little ones."

Lake Mutanda: probably the nicest way to see the lake with its many islands and islets is from the ridge above it to the south - perhaps when on the [[#Do|walking snake safari]]. By road, the easiest access is to head west out of Kisoro on the smooth main road to the DRC and then turn right at the un-signposted road just after you pass the distinctive squat, square tower on the roof of Saint Josephs Church, Nateete. on your right. You'll now be on the Kisoro-Busanza Road to the DRC. After 1.3 km you'll see a sign for the right turn to the lakeside Saint Pauls Church, Kaboko., founded by the Pentecostal bishop the Right Reverend Cranmer Mugisha in 2010. This is a green lane that runs between maize fields and wild flowers down to the water's edge where there is a small creek and usually a few dugouts if you fancy being paddled across the lake.

Virunga Volcanoes. The ones accessible from the Ugandan side are either extinct or long dormant but there were eruptions in the DRC in 2006 and again in 2010.

Hylochoerus meinertzhageni, commonly known as the Giant Forest Hog.

Milestone Safaris, +256 782 776 533. Office hours daily 07:00-18:00 (when out, contact Bistro Mucha or the Travellers Rest Hotel). Specialises in walking snake safaris starting from Kisoro town to Lake Mutanda. Typical start time is 09:00 and you will need a reasonable level of fitness since you will ramble along one of the district's green lanes, surrounded by wild flowers and laughing children, gaining about 280 m (800 ft) as you ascend a ridge until you have an exhilarating view of Lake Mutanda spread out below you. There's then quite a steep scramble down to reach the lake shore below. There is a particular promontory here where the village inhabitants believe that serpents are the spiritual throne of their ancestors - consequently the snakes here have found a kind of sanctuary amongst the Yam beds and sugar cane. You are likely to see deadly black mambas, 5 m (16 ft) long rock pythons, spitting cobras and, possibly, green mambas. When you've seen enough, a dugout canoe will pick you up and skirt the reed beds so you can admire kingfishers and other water birds. USD25 per person; discount for groups by negotiation.If you're a lazy muzungo, they also offer 3-day game drive safaris in air-conditioned 4x4s taking up to 3 people per vehicle into the southern part of the Queen Elizabeth National Park's Ishasha sector where you will almost invariably see the famous pride of tree-climbing lions. For this game drive, you'll leave Kisoro at 06:00 and first travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, arriving about 08:00 to try to spot forest elephants, chimpanzees and, very occasionally, the rare and elusive L'Hoest's monkey (Cercopithecus lhoesti). Generally you will not leave the safety of your 4x4 because of the danger from giant forest pigs which can grow up to 2.1 m (6.9 ft) in length and can tip the scales at more than 270 kg (60 lb). Leaving Bwindi about 11:00, the next stop is lunch at Kihihi trading post. After lunch there is an hour's drive before you can check-in to your bandas in the Q.E.N.P. to have a shower and freshen up. You start your game drive about 16:00 until dusk around 19:00. The next morning kicks off with another game drive from 06:30 towards the Ishasha river. Here you'll be able to get some fantastic close-ups of hippo just a few metres below where you'll be standing on the steep bank (hippos are neither good at climbing nor leaping). After breakfast you'll be driven to Mweya for a 2-hour afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. After disembarkation, there follows another game drive with likely sightings of Uganda kob, water buck, warthogs, water buffalo, elephant. If you're lucky, you may spot leopard. That night is spent in the White House hotel in Kasese. The next morning is spent visiting about a dozen of the more than forty volcanic crater lakes in the vicinity of Fort Portal. After lunch, the afternoon is spent visiting some of the historic sights of the Toro Kingdom.

Handsome sunbird

Nkuringo Walking Safaris, +256 782 193 135. Daily 08:00-20:00. Rangers all speak excellent English and most were born and grew up in the local region, meaning they are extremely knowledgeable about local hazards and customs. They speak the most used local languages of Rufumbira and Rukiga together with other local languages such as Rutoro, Luganda, Runyankore and Kiswahili if there are any potential disputes about land access. Various routes are available customized to your fitness levels. Walkers are likely to see L'hoest, black-and-white colobus and blue monkeys, while those who opt for a canoe across Lake Mutanda may see fish otters and abundant birdlife (eg: great white pelicans; yellow billed ducks; Ross's turacos; black crakes; black headed weavers; white tailed blue flycatchers; African paradise fly catchers; African jacanas; Regal, bronze and purple breasted sunbirds; pied kingfishers; malachite kingfishers; great cormorant; sacred ibis; cattle egrets; Mackinnon's fiscal; African pied wagtail; grey crested cranes; pin tailed whydahs). All rangers carry binoculars that you can use if you forgot your own. If you wish to walk further than the hamlet of Buhoma in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, then overnights at Nkuringo Gorilla Camp can be arranged. Daily ranger fee of USD40 per group of 1-4 travellers (plus any extras required such as canoe for USD16 per person), plus logistics facilitation fee of USD15, plus capitation fees of USD5 per person.
Echuya Eco-tourism Association, +256-392-584882. A non-profit community group, Echuya Eco-tourism Association is now offering guided hikes in Echuya Central Forest Reserve for USh30,000. The reserve is located half an hour outside of Kisoro on the road to Kabale. There are two trails which cross forest, bamboo, and a rare high altitude swamp. Cultural visits with Bachiga, Batwa, and Bafumbira communities are also possible. Self-sufficient campground USh20,000. 10$.

Milestone Safaris, +256 782 776 533. Office hours daily 07:00-18:00 (when out, contact Bistro Mucha or the Travellers Rest Hotel). Specialises in walking snake safaris starting from Kisoro town to Lake Mutanda. Typical start time is 09:00 and you will need a reasonable level of fitness since you will ramble along one of the district's green lanes, surrounded by wild flowers and laughing children, gaining about 280 m (800 ft) as you ascend a ridge until you have an exhilarating view of Lake Mutanda spread out below you. There's then quite a steep scramble down to reach the lake shore below. There is a particular promontory here where the village inhabitants believe that serpents are the spiritual throne of their ancestors - consequently the snakes here have found a kind of sanctuary amongst the Yam beds and sugar cane. You are likely to see deadly black mambas, 5 m (16 ft) long rock pythons, spitting cobras and, possibly, green mambas. When you've seen enough, a dugout canoe will pick you up and skirt the reed beds so you can admire kingfishers and other water birds. USD25 per person; discount for groups by negotiation.If you're a lazy muzungo, they also offer 3-day game drive safaris in air-conditioned 4x4s taking up to 3 people per vehicle into the southern part of the Queen Elizabeth National Park's Ishasha sector where you will almost invariably see the famous pride of tree-climbing lions. For this game drive, you'll leave Kisoro at 06:00 and first travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, arriving about 08:00 to try to spot forest elephants, chimpanzees and, very occasionally, the rare and elusive L'Hoest's monkey (Cercopithecus lhoesti). Generally you will not leave the safety of your 4x4 because of the danger from giant forest pigs which can grow up to 2.1 m (6.9 ft) in length and can tip the scales at more than 270 kg (60 lb). Leaving Bwindi about 11:00, the next stop is lunch at Kihihi trading post. After lunch there is an hour's drive before you can check-in to your bandas in the Q.E.N.P. to have a shower and freshen up. You start your game drive about 16:00 until dusk around 19:00. The next morning kicks off with another game drive from 06:30 towards the Ishasha river. Here you'll be able to get some fantastic close-ups of hippo just a few metres below where you'll be standing on the steep bank (hippos are neither good at climbing nor leaping). After breakfast you'll be driven to Mweya for a 2-hour afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. After disembarkation, there follows another game drive with likely sightings of Uganda kob, water buck, warthogs, water buffalo, elephant. If you're lucky, you may spot leopard. That night is spent in the White House hotel in [[Kasese]]. The next morning is spent visiting about a dozen of the more than forty volcanic crater lakes in the vicinity of [[Fort Portal]]. After lunch, the afternoon is spent visiting some of the historic sights of the Toro Kingdom.

Nkuringo Walking Safaris, +256 782 193 135. Daily 08:00-20:00. Rangers all speak excellent English and most were born and grew up in the local region, meaning they are extremely knowledgeable about local hazards and customs. They speak the most used local languages of Rufumbira and Rukiga together with other local languages such as Rutoro, Luganda, Runyankore and Kiswahili if there are any potential disputes about land access. Various routes are available customized to your fitness levels. Walkers are likely to see L'hoest, black-and-white colobus and blue monkeys, while those who opt for a canoe across Lake Mutanda may see fish otters and abundant birdlife (eg: great white pelicans; yellow billed ducks; Ross's turacos; black crakes; black headed weavers; white tailed blue flycatchers; African paradise fly catchers; African jacanas; Regal, bronze and purple breasted sunbirds; pied kingfishers; malachite kingfishers; great cormorant; sacred ibis; cattle egrets; Mackinnon's fiscal; African pied wagtail; grey crested cranes; pin tailed whydahs). All rangers carry binoculars that you can use if you forgot your own. If you wish to walk further than the hamlet of Buhoma in the [[Bwindi Impenetrable Forest]], then overnights at Nkuringo Gorilla Camp can be arranged. Daily ranger fee of USD40 per group of 1-4 travellers (plus any extras required such as canoe for USD16 per person), plus logistics facilitation fee of USD15, plus capitation fees of USD5 per person.

Echuya Eco-tourism Association, +256-392-584882. A non-profit community group, Echuya Eco-tourism Association is now offering guided hikes in Echuya Central Forest Reserve for USh30,000. The reserve is located half an hour outside of Kisoro on the road to Kabale. There are two trails which cross forest, bamboo, and a rare high altitude swamp. Cultural visits with Bachiga, Batwa, and Bafumbira communities are also possible. Self-sufficient campground USh20,000. 10$.

Market days are Monday and Thursday with people coming from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to buy goods that they can not obtain without difficulty in their own country.

Crane Bank. M-F 08:30-18:00, Sa 09:00-12:00. External ATM open 24/7 processes only Visa cards.
Stanbic Bank. M-F 08:30-16:00, Sa 09:00-12:00. External ATM open 24/7 takes Cirrus, Maestro, MasterCard, Plus network, Visa cards.
Equity Bank, Bunagana Road. Mastercard/Visa card ATM.

Crane Bank. M-F 08:30-18:00, Sa 09:00-12:00. External ATM open 24/7 processes only Visa cards.

Stanbic Bank. M-F 08:30-16:00, Sa 09:00-12:00. External ATM open 24/7 takes Cirrus, Maestro, MasterCard, Plus network, Visa cards.

Equity Bank, Bunagana Road. Mastercard/Visa card ATM.

Coffee Pot Café, +256 772 625 493. M-Sa 08:30-21:30. Yummy desserts and excellent coffee as you might expect. Apart from the chips, which are lovely, any other exotic foreign dishes like bacon and eggs, you'll have to teach them the way you like it.

Coffee Pot Café, +256 772 625 493. M-Sa 08:30-21:30. Yummy desserts and excellent coffee as you might expect. Apart from the chips, which are lovely, any other exotic foreign dishes like bacon and eggs, you'll have to teach them the way you like it.

Mucha Bistro, +256 784 478 605. Tiny but beautifully formed café seating 10 inside and 8 outside in crisp and elegant surroundings; the colour-way is various shades of green. Carrot Cake USh6,000, Espresso Macchiato USh4,500.
They also have the cleanest en suite guest rooms in Kisoro from USh35,000 for single occupancy and from USh50,000 for double occupancy including a moderate amount of laundry. No insect screens, but the windows and doors fit reasonably tightly. German owned, free Wi-Fi.
The manageress can also put you in touch with a week's motorcycle self-drive hire for USh200,000 and you can be confident that the 100 cc Indian made Bajaj bike will have all those optional extras the muzungo needs like a working front brake, a clutch that does not slip and an operating horn.

Mucha Bistro, +256 784 478 605. Tiny but beautifully formed café seating 10 inside and 8 outside in crisp and elegant surroundings; the colour-way is various shades of green. Carrot Cake USh6,000, Espresso Macchiato USh4,500.
They also have the cleanest en suite guest rooms in Kisoro from USh35,000 for single occupancy and from USh50,000 for double occupancy including a moderate amount of laundry. No insect screens, but the windows and doors fit reasonably tightly. German owned, free Wi-Fi.
The manageress can also put you in touch with a week's motorcycle self-drive hire for USh200,000 and you can be confident that the 100 cc Indian made Bajaj bike will have all those optional extras the muzungo needs like a working front brake, a clutch that does not slip and an operating horn.

IP Planet Internet Cafe. M-Sa 08:00-20:00, Su 15:00-20:00. No Wi-Fi, but you can use a wired Ethernet connection with your own laptop or their computers. Printing costs USh500/A4 page black & white. Also does photocopying, scanning & binding. Proprietor is highly educated and speaks excellent English. Small eclectic book collection USh50/min or USh3,000 for 70 min.
Coffee Pot Café. Pricey but fast Wi-Fi. USh6,000 for 60 min.

IP Planet Internet Cafe. M-Sa 08:00-20:00, Su 15:00-20:00. No Wi-Fi, but you can use a wired Ethernet connection with your own laptop or their computers. Printing costs USh500/A4 page black & white. Also does photocopying, scanning & binding. Proprietor is highly educated and speaks excellent English. Small eclectic book collection USh50/min or USh3,000 for 70 min.

Coffee Pot Café. Pricey but fast Wi-Fi. USh6,000 for 60 min.

The Airtel, MTN, Orange, Uganda Telecom and Warid networks all have their own transmission towers in and around Kisoro, so you'll have no problems locating a strong GSM signal.

Post Office.

Post Office.

Kisoro FM is a local, community-based radio station broadcasting mainly in the local languages on 91.1 MHz but also with occasional news summaries or other programs in English.
Voice of Muhubura is a local, commercial radio station broadcasting mainly in the local languages on 88.9 MHz but with an English language news summary at 12:00 and 17:00 together with occasional other programming in English.

Kisoro FM is a local, community-based radio station broadcasting mainly in the local languages on 91.1 MHz but also with occasional news summaries or other programs in English.

Voice of Muhubura is a local, commercial radio station broadcasting mainly in the local languages on 88.9 MHz but with an English language news summary at 12:00 and 17:00 together with occasional other programming in English.

Anglican religious services, +256 771 846 162. Service in English: Su 09:30, Prayer meeting in English: W 17:00.
Catholic religious services. Mass in English: Su 10:00.
Hairdresser, +256 784 974 704. M-Sa 08:00-20:00. Perms, straightening, ironing, manicures.
Hospital, +256 784 974 704. A 160-bed public hospital, administered by the Uganda Ministry of Health and somewhat larger than you might expect because of the relative isolation of the town and sporadic influxes of refugees from the neighbouring DRC. The district has one doctor for every 40,000 people, women average eight children and large families subsist on less than USD2 a day. Basic necessities such as sheets and mattresses are in short supply and there are few diagnostic tools beyond a centrifuge and microscope (X-ray and ultrasound machines were supplied but are often out of service). In April and May 2013, the Maternity Ward and the Operating Theatre had to close due to water shortages; power & utilities distributor Umeme had disconnected electricity to the water plant over unpaid electricity bills.
Mosque.
Pharmacy, +256 772 492 731. M-Sa 08:00-20:30, Su 10:30-20:30.
Police, +256 714 667 854. Tourist Police Commander in Kampala: +256 717 179 565. Parked opposite is a gleaming, red, Mercedes airport crash tender type fire engine that rumour has it was purchased because the high power roof mounted nozzles could be adapted to project tear-gas if the situation in the neighbouring DRC became too chaotic and the district was faced with a new influx of desperate refugees.
Public toilets. Free.

Anglican religious services, +256 771 846 162. Service in English: Su 09:30, Prayer meeting in English: W 17:00.

Catholic religious services. Mass in English: Su 10:00.

Hairdresser, +256 784 974 704. M-Sa 08:00-20:00. Perms, straightening, ironing, manicures.

Hospital, +256 784 974 704. A 160-bed public hospital, administered by the Uganda Ministry of Health and somewhat larger than you might expect because of the relative isolation of the town and sporadic influxes of refugees from the neighbouring DRC. The district has one doctor for every 40,000 people, women average eight children and large families subsist on less than USD2 a day. Basic necessities such as sheets and mattresses are in short supply and there are few diagnostic tools beyond a centrifuge and microscope (X-ray and ultrasound machines were supplied but are often out of service). In April and May 2013, the Maternity Ward and the Operating Theatre had to close due to water shortages; power & utilities distributor Umeme had disconnected electricity to the water plant over unpaid electricity bills.

Mosque.

Pharmacy, +256 772 492 731. M-Sa 08:00-20:30, Su 10:30-20:30.

Police, +256 714 667 854. Tourist Police Commander in Kampala: +256 717 179 565. Parked opposite is a gleaming, red, Mercedes airport crash tender type fire engine that rumour has it was purchased because the high power roof mounted nozzles could be adapted to project tear-gas if the situation in the neighbouring DRC became too chaotic and the district was faced with a new influx of desperate refugees.

Public toilets. Free.

Crested crane

Circle Lake Mutanda and clock up another country (the DRC, unofficially). If you've hired a vehicle, head west out of Kisoro on the smooth main road to the DRC and then turn right at the un-signposted road just after you pass Saint Joseph's Church, Nateete on your right. You'll now be on the Kisoro-Busanza Road to the DRC. This is an all-weather dirt road that winds through tropical rain forest and villagers' gardens and is mostly wide enough for two trucks to pass. Look out for fish eagle and Uganda's national symbol, the crested crane (Balearica regulorum) performing their courtship dances by the river meadows that the road follows or in yam patches. After about 27 km and the steepest ascent on the road (still only about 1 in 7), you'll enter the Ugandan village of Busanza. There's a sharp turn left here to the border barrier but, if you continue straight ahead instead, the road deteriorates suddenly, plunges downhill and you've crossed into the Democratic Republic of the Congo without any formality or marker. After you hit the valley bottom there's another rutted and steep climb up the other side and, after about 2 km spent in the DRC, the track re-enters Uganda (again without formality or signs) and improves. After about 25 km of wiggles, Lake Mutanda hoves into view on your right and, if you've made a reservation, you can stop for a lakeside lunch at Lake Mutanda Resort before completing the loop back to Kisoro.
Walk in the Echuya national forest and bamboo zone. If you're on your own, hire a bodo-bodo for about USh25,000 return including 2 hour wait. If there are more than two of you, it may be cheaper to hire something on four wheels to take you to the new boundary sign. for Kabale district. Directly opposite, on the south side of the road, is a single file track that gradually climbs up through the bamboo (Yushania alpina) zone and into the rainforest. There were no forks or branches in this track in June 2014 and after about 15-min walking you're afforded great views of the linear swamp on your left that runs all the way into Rwanda. If you're quiet you'll probably hear or see monkeys to your left as you near some of the larger trees. After climbing about 150 m (500 ft) the track reaches the top of the ridge and there is a grass meadow. where you can picnic with fine views over the Virunga range and several lakes including Kayumbu and Chayafi. If you turn east and follow the boundary fence line running parallel to the fir trees, you'll reach the top of a hillock (2,461 m) which gives fine views of Lake Bunyonyi. Return the way you came.

Circle Lake Mutanda and clock up another country (the DRC, unofficially). If you've hired a vehicle, head west out of Kisoro on the smooth main road to the DRC and then turn right at the un-signposted road just after you pass Saint Joseph's Church, Nateete on your right. You'll now be on the Kisoro-Busanza Road to the DRC. This is an all-weather dirt road that winds through tropical rain forest and villagers' gardens and is mostly wide enough for two trucks to pass. Look out for fish eagle and Uganda's national symbol, the crested crane (Balearica regulorum) performing their courtship dances by the river meadows that the road follows or in yam patches. After about 27 km and the steepest ascent on the road (still only about 1 in 7), you'll enter the Ugandan village of Busanza. There's a sharp turn left here to the border barrier but, if you continue straight ahead instead, the road deteriorates suddenly, plunges downhill and you've crossed into the Democratic Republic of the Congo without any formality or marker. After you hit the valley bottom there's another rutted and steep climb up the other side and, after about 2 km spent in the DRC, the track re-enters Uganda (again without formality or signs) and improves. After about 25 km of wiggles, Lake Mutanda hoves into view on your right and, if you've made a reservation, you can stop for a lakeside lunch at [[#Splurge|Lake Mutanda Resort]] before completing the loop back to Kisoro.

Walk in the Echuya national forest and bamboo zone. If you're on your own, hire a bodo-bodo for about USh25,000 return including 2 hour wait. If there are more than two of you, it may be cheaper to hire something on four wheels to take you to the new boundary sign. for Kabale district. Directly opposite, on the south side of the road, is a single file track that gradually climbs up through the bamboo (Yushania alpina) zone and into the rainforest. There were no forks or branches in this track in June 2014 and after about 15-min walking you're afforded great views of the linear swamp on your left that runs all the way into Rwanda. If you're quiet you'll probably hear or see monkeys to your left as you near some of the larger trees. After climbing about 150 m (500 ft) the track reaches the top of the ridge and there is a grass meadow. where you can picnic with fine views over the Virunga range and several lakes including Kayumbu and Chayafi. If you turn east and follow the boundary fence line running parallel to the fir trees, you'll reach the top of a hillock (2,461 m) which gives fine views of Lake Bunyonyi. Return the way you came.