Kasese town: the gateway to the park and the mountains
Kasese is an administrative town in western Uganda and the practical access point for both the Queen Elizabeth National Park area and the Rwenzori Mountains. Travelers use it as a base for mountain treks and as an arrival point by air.
Use it to organize your Rwenzori trek, to plan your onward route and to meet your driver or guide.
Our pick: a trip through Kasese
This tour drives via Fort Portal and Kasese and adds a Rwenzori foothills hike.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours from Kasese and around the park
Safaris, mountain trips and day tours in the Kasese and Queen Elizabeth area, with live prices and availability. Check the meeting point for each one.
What Kasese is good for
Three reasons travelers stop here.
Rwenzori treks
Kasese is the base for the Rwenzori. The Central Circuit starts at Nyakalengija, and the Kilembe Trail is the second well-known route. Trek packages leave out nights before and after the trek, so plan a night in town. See Rwenzori Mountains for routes, prices and what the climb demands.
Park access
Kasese is an access town for the park area. For the park itself, start with the safari guide and park fees.
Flights
A scheduled flight from Entebbe serves Kasese in 2026. It is a regional air link, not an international airport. See the section below for times and limits.
What to sort out in Kasese
A short checklist before you head into the park or the mountains.
Fees for the mountains
In the UWA tariff for July 2024 to December 2026, Rwenzori entry for a foreign non-resident adult is $35, and the hike fee is $50 per day with entry included. The East African citizen rates are UGX 15,000 and UGX 50,000. Check the current amount before you book.
Your meeting point
Ask your operator where and when you are collected, and who covers the transfer. Transfers are not part of trek packages.
Local transport
Check current bus times and fares locally before you rely on them, and ask your host which road is passable on the day you travel.
Flying to Kasese
Scheduled flights in 2026 serve Kasese for the Queen Elizabeth and Kibale area.
A scheduled flight runs from Entebbe to Kasese, leaving at 07:00 and arriving at 08:15 at the first stop. Times change with the routing, so 75 minutes is only a planning figure. A minimum of 2 passengers applies. The same schedule has further seasonal connections, with exceptions in March, April, May and November.
Check-in is 60 minutes before departure in Entebbe and 30 minutes at bush airstrips. A scheduled flight direct to Mweya cannot be assumed. For the road from Kampala and other ways in, see getting there.
Rain and roads in Kasese
In the rainy months of September to December 2026, heavy rain may flood low areas in Kasese and other western districts and disrupt traffic. That does not mean a road is closed. Ask your driver or host about the current state before you set out, and keep a reserve day in your plan.
Safety in the Kasese area
Kasese lies in a border region. The German Foreign Office asks for particular caution for Queen Elizabeth and the Rwenzori, and other governments advise care in the western border area too. Travel in daylight, use a local driver or guide and ask for current information before each leg.
One of the two long road routes from Kampala to the park runs via Fort Portal. Fort Portal and the Tooro region have their own guide.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where Kasese fits.
Kasese: frequently asked questions
What is Kasese known for?
Travelers know it as the access town for Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Rwenzori Mountains. It is an administrative and practical base, not a sightseeing destination.
Is there an airport in Kasese?
There is an air link. Scheduled flights in 2026 serve Kasese for the Queen Elizabeth and Kibale area. It is a regional connection from Entebbe, not an international airport.
Is Kasese the starting point for the Rwenzori treks?
Kasese is the usual base. The Central Circuit begins at Nyakalengija. Plan a night before the start, since packages normally leave out nights before and after the trek.
Does Kasese flood in the rainy season?
In the rainy months of September to December, heavy rain can flood low areas in Kasese and disrupt traffic. Ask for the current situation before you travel and keep a spare day in your plan.
Is it safe to travel in the Kasese area?
Several governments advise care in the border region. Read the current advice for your country, travel in daylight and use a local guide or driver.