The Kampala to Fort Portal drive — the western circuit approach road from Uganda’s capital to the safari town that serves as the gateway to Kibale Forest (chimpanzees), the Rwenzori Mountains, Semuliki National Park, and Queen Elizabeth NP — covers 300km via the A109 highway through central Uganda, crossing the equator at the Kayabwe monument (approximately 130km from Kampala) and passing through the crater lake district and tea estate highlands of western Uganda in the final 80km before Fort Portal. The Kampala to Fort Portal drive is one of Uganda’s most scenic highway routes and the standard first day of the western Uganda self-drive circuit in 2027/2028.
Route Guide: Kampala to Fort Portal
- Kampala to Mityana (60km): Use the Northern Bypass from Kampala to join the A109 at the Busega roundabout. The A109 is a paved dual carriageway for the first 50km. Road quality: good to excellent.
- Mityana to Mubende (70km): Single carriageway A109, well-maintained tarmac. Mubende is the main midpoint town — refuel here and take a break at the Mubende market town junction.
- Equator crossing at Kayabwe (130km from Kampala): The Uganda equator monument is a major roadside stop — twin circular rings mark the equator crossing. The “equator experiment” (water draining differently on each side, though this is partially theatrical) is demonstrated by local guides. The road stop area has craft sellers and food stalls.
- Mubende to Fort Portal (170km from Kampala): The A109 climbs gradually toward the western highlands. The final 50km before Fort Portal enters the Toro region’s tea estate country and the crater lake district — some of Uganda’s most beautiful scenery.
From Fort Portal: Self-Drive Park Connections
- Kibale Forest NP (Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary): 36km south of Fort Portal on the tarmac road to Kamwenge
- Rwenzori Mountains NP (Nyakalengija trailhead): 22km from Fort Portal east
- Queen Elizabeth NP (Kasese/Mweya): 70km south of Kibale on the main road
- Semuliki NP: 52km west of Fort Portal on the Bundibugyo road (unsealed final section)
