Lake Katwe is a beautiful hypersaline crater lake and is found at the highest part of Queen Elizabeth national park that is situated in Kasese district. Lake Katwe is located in the western region of Uganda and is approximately 413 km from Kampala capital city of Uganda and 431 km from Entebbe International airport. However, Lake Katwe was formed as a result of volcanic activity that took place in the western rift valley thousands of years ago and is famously known for possessing large salt deposits there by encouraging salting in the lake. Therefore, while on a Uganda wildlife safari at Queen Elizabeth National Park, a tourist can visit this beautiful crater lake a create a mini-Uganda crater lake tour. Lake Katwe is also filled with a rich cultural especially its salt mining community that consists of the women who mine salt, these women usually have emotional stories about themselves, how the crater lake existed, methods they use to mine salt, the significance of the lake to them and how they carry their day- to- day activities as salt miners. Besides Lake Katwe having salt as its major possession, this lake is also surrounded with stunning green hills and trees, valleys and is filled with numerous bird species such as Papyrus gonolek, black and white casqued hornbill, pink backed pelican, saddle billed stork, red chested sunbird, African skimmer, black headed gonolek, grey heron, great blue turaco, glossy ibis, golden rumped tinkerbird, dusty blue flycatcher, eastern grey plantain eater, emerald-spotted wood dove, African open billed stork, black headed oriole, black headed lapwing, African fin foot, blue napped mousebird, crowned eagle, brown parrots among others this makes Lake Katwe a beautiful Uganda birding tour destination.
Tourist activities at Lake Katwe
Bird viewing; Lake Katwe is situated in Queen Elizabeth national park and it is UNESCO world birding heritage that is filled with numerous bird species over 350 which shall indeed fulfil a birders interests .there birds include; Papyrus gonolek, black and white casqued hornbill, pink backed pelican, saddle billed stork, red chested sunbird, African skimmer, black headed gonolek, grey heron, great blue turaco, glossy ibis, golden rumped tinkerbird, dusty blue flycatcher, eastern grey plantain eater, emerald-spotted wood dove, African open billed stork, black headed oriole, black headed lapwing, African fin foot, blue naped mousebird, crowned eagle, brown parrots among others.
Salt mining experience; Lake Katwe is a very saline and acidic lake on which salt rocks are, mined these salt rocks are in grades that is grade 1 also known as sodium chloride, grade 2 crude salt and grade 3 rock salt. Salt on Lake Katwe, can be mined throughout the year however the dry seasons fetch more harvests due to the salt concentration. However, since the lake is acidic one is advised to protective garments. While on a Lake Katwe visit one can participate with the locals in salt mining and also be able to visit the salt mining plants and learn the process of turning crude salt to refine salt.
Wild life viewing; Queen Elizabeth national park is home numerous wildlife species like Tree climbing lions, Ugandan Kob, Giant Forest hog, warthog, Topi, red tailed monkeys, leopards, civet, genal and serval cats, African elephant, zebra, African buffalo, chimpanzees, crocodiles, spotted hyenas, water buck, side stripped jackals, mongooses, giant forest hogs, cheetah, bush pigs, baboons among others. To mention but a few that would fulfil a tourists wildlife experience wild at lake Katwe.
Community tour; Lake Katwe has a rich cultural community, that consist of the Bakingwe these people in the ancient times traded salt for food and the carry out agriculture make Lake Katwe visits suitable for Agro- tourists, Tourist while on a cultural tour at Lake Katwe can visit KATIC-Katwe Tourism Information centre where all information about the community can be accessed especially the thrilling yet difficult process of salt mining ,the trails in lake Katwe, the accommodation options available to mention but a few. This activity can be possible through taking village walks around Katwe, experiencing the local cuisine and traditional dances and songs, interacting with the locals to get to learn a few words in the local language, learn there day to day ways of living, make new contacts around the world to mention but a few.
Nature walks. Lake Katwe is surrounded by numerous trails that run across the hills and shores of the Lake Katwe and it gives a great opportunity for one to connect with nature and take beautiful pictures
The best time to visit lake Katwe on a Uganda crater safari/ Uganda wildlife safari/ Uganda bird viewing safari / Uganda cultural tour/safari is during the drier months of year which include; January, February, June, July, August, September and December which are the best time of salt mining and also viewing wildlife and birds at Queen Elizabeth national park.