Ruboni Tourism Village is the ultimate point for your dream trip of Uganda. Whether you want to climb the highest mountains of Uganda, experience snow at the equator, looking to relax in a serene place with scenic views and friendly people, or exploring the unique social culture encounters of Uganda, you will find Ruboni village ideal for your stay.

During the visit, you will find a long list of activities to do in areas of adventure in the beautiful natural habitat, community development, and conservation. It is the time to be inspired by the sustainable living, and survival techniques of the indigenous tribe in the Rwenzori foothills.

Trekking and Mountain climbing experience:

Ruboni village is located at the central circuit and main gate of Rwenzori Mountains National Park. From Ruboni village, guests take any length of trek inside Rwenzori mountains National park ranging from one day nature walks, multi-day mountain treks on the lower mountains or trekking to the highest snow capped peaks including mount Stanley where margarita peak stands at 5109 meters above sea level.

Accommodation:

Both hotel and Home stay accommodation are available. In the eleven (11) tourist lodges and home stays, and four campgrounds, the village offers 50 guest rooms with over 100 beds and 30 camping space each night. The guest rooms range from self contained rooms, none self contained rooms or shared dorms.

Village tours and cultural experiences:

Ruboni Tourism Village provides a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the local Bakonzo culture. The village is home to the Bakonzo people, who are known for their traditional farming practices, dance performances, and storytelling. Visitors can engage with the community, participate in cultural activities, and gain insights into their way of life.

Here are some Travel tips for your visit to Ruboni:

How to get to Ruboni village:

Ruboni Village is located in the Rwenzori Mountains foothills, Kasese District, Western Uganda, within the Albertine Rift valley.

To access or travel to Ruboni Tourism village, you will either be coming from Kasese town or fort portal town. The direction will depend on where you’re coming from.

From Kasese town, drive for 10km north on Kasese – Fort portal road. When you reach at Nkenda Electric terminal (Kisanyarazi) looking at the key landmark of many metallic electric poles, turn left and drive on marrum road.

If you’re driving from Fort portal, you will drive for 8km from Hima town and rich mubuku trading centre. Just after crossing River Mubuku, you will branch off right at Nkenda Electric terminal (Kisanyarazi) The key landmark here is the metallic electric poles on the right.

From the branch off, you will drive to your hotel / accommodation or destination in Ruboni Tourism village. Based on your booked hotel, this may take up to 18 km on your way towards the park gate.

You can contact us or use the following information to contact Ruboni Tourism village directly.

Background

With the vision of making tourism a positive force for transformation, rural development, and community well-being, United Nations World tourism Organization (UNWTO) launched the “Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO initiative”in 2021. This initiative recognizes those villages committing to making tourism a strong driver of their development and well being, and seek to advance the role of tourism in valuing and safeguarding rural villages along with their associated landscapes, knowledge systems, biological and cultural diversity, local values, and activities (agriculture, forestry, livestock, and/ or fisheries, including their gastronomy.

Located in the Rwenzori foothills, Ruboni village was selected and recognized by United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as one of the global top 20 villages with the potential to become an outstanding top-tier rural tourism destination. Ruboni is the only tourism village that met this  score in Uganda in 2021 at the initial selection.

Based on this, the residents of Ruboni village are working very hard, aiming to Position the local communities to reap from the available tourism opportunities. The village has over nine Hotels and accommodations including, home stays and campsites offering a range of hospitality services, cultural experiences, and tours.

Why you must visit Ruboni Tourism Village

The Ruboni Tourism Village is a rustic territory, nestled in the foothills of Mount Rwenzori in Uganda, is a hidden gem that offers visitors a unique and authentic African experience. This documentary will take viewers on a journey to explore the natural beauty of the region, the rich culture of the local Bakonzo people, and the sustainable tourism initiatives that are helping to support the community.

A visit to Ruboni village will open to you the stunning scenery of Mount Rwenzori, one of Africa’s highest mountain range and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the stay, you’ll hear from locals about the mountain’s significance in their culture and learn about the challenges of living in such a remote and rugged environment.

Next, we’ll meet some of the residents of the Ruboni Tourism Village, who will share their stories and provide insights into the daily life and customs of the Bakonzo people. you’ll learn about their traditional music, dance, and art, and see how they have adapted to the changing world while preserving their heritage.

The visit will also highlight the innovative tourism initiatives that have been developed in the village, including guided tours and hikes to the mountain and cultural immersion experiences. We’ll meet some of the local guides and see firsthand the impact that tourism has had on the community, including the creation of jobs and the preservation of natural and cultural resources.

How to visit Ruboni village

Through the several tourism offices in Ruboni village or your tour operator, you will e able to get more information about the attractions and activities in Ruboni village and how to integrate them in your main tour around Uganda.

If you’re planing to do a community guided tour in Ruboni, and you don’t know how to get there, you will find this direction information useful.

Ruboni Tourism Village is located in the Rwenzori Mountains foothills, Kasese District, Western Uganda, within the Albertine Rift valley.

To access or travel to Ruboni Tourism village, you will either be coming from Kasese or fort portal town. the direction will depend on where you’re coming from.

From Kasese town, drive for 10km north on Kasese – fort portal road. When you reach at Nkenda Electric terminal (Kisanyarazi) looking at the key landmark of many metallic electric poles, turn left and drive on marrum road.

If your’re driving from fort portal, you will drive for 8km from Hima town and rich mubuku trading centre. Just after crossing River Mubuku, you will branch off right at Nkenda Electric terminal (Kisanyarazi) The key landmark here is the metallic electric poles on the right.

From the branch off, you will drive to your hotel / accommodation or destination in Ruboni Tourism village. Based on your booked hotel, this may take up to 18 km on your way towards the park gate.

Please contact us if you need assistance.

These are the tourism offices found in Ruboni village. They are the places to go if you need tourism information or want to make reservation of any of the tourism activities in this village.

Ruboni Community Visitors Centre:

Rwenzori mountaineering services:

Rwenzori Coffee House:

Rwenzori Mountains National Park Headquarters:

Location of Ruboni Tourism village and how to get there:

Ruboni Tourism Village is located in the Rwenzori Mountains foothills, Kasese District, Western Uganda. In otherwords, it is located within the Albertine Rift valley.

The tourism village starts from Kasese fort portal Road and stretches west, for seventeen Kilometres up to Rwenzori Mountans National Park gate.

Ruboni tourism village may also be referred to in different names. since it is on the north ans south of River Mubuku, this village is also called Mubuku valley or the Rwenzori gateway as it is the gateway to Rwenzori mountains national park central circuit gate of Mihunga.

To access or travel to Ruboni Tourism village, you will either be coming from Kasese or fort portal town. the direction will depend on where you’re coming from.

From the branch off, you will drive to your hotel / accommodation or destination in Ruboni Tourism village. remember, it starts from the main road up to the park gate, 17km west. for more direction, please contact your hotel, tour organizer or us through this website.

Here I provide community activities that you can choose from for your spare time to tour around Rwenzori during Theluji festival and Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon. These accommodations and are all located in Kasese district, withing easy reach to where the event will be celebrated.

For more information and placing your reservation, please contact us.

Ruboni Village walk:

Ruboni Forest walk:

Ruboni Hill climb walk:

Ruboni Overnight hill trek:

Banana farming tour:

Bakonzo traditional Story teller:

Bakonzo Black smith:

Coffee experience:

Vanilla farming experience:

Kikorongo Bodaboda safaris:

Banana wine making experience:

Ssebwe water falls trek:

Rwenzori trekking activities:

Here I provide community accommodations you cans choose from for your stay around Rwenzori during Theluji festival and Tusker Lite Rwenzori marathon. These accommodations are all located in Kasese district, within short distance to where the event will be celebrated.

For more information and placing your reservation, please contact us.

Snow heights lodge:

Snow Heights Lodge Reception

Ruboni Community Camp:

Summit guest house:

Snow valley cottages:

Rwenzori Turaco Camp:

Rwenzori Homestay:

Ruboni Community Camp, Banda

Tours holiday Inn:

Lafrique guesthouse Rwakingi:

BLT residence:

The Elephant Home

The Elephant Home:

On the dates of 23rd August to 3rd September 2023, all roads lead to The Rwenzori region. Specifically many people including Ugandans and foreigners will be flocking Kasese municipality, to participate in one of the largest annual tourism events of Uganda; the Theluji festival and Tusker Lite Rwenzori marathon.

Are you looking for accommodation or activities to do during Theluji festival and the Tusker Lite Rwenzori marathon? This is the place where you will find that accommodation that is both affordable and giving you the value for your money, while benefiting the indigenous communities.

Though we understand that this will be the time participants want to join the most cheerful and happy crowds, we are making sure that this event also becomes the best opportunity for you to be as private and close to Rwenzori nature and culture, as you have always dreamt.

The accommodations:

The kind of accommodation we will give you during this time is Peaceful, spacious, self contained, clean and private. They are all located in natural setting with a mix of bushes, wildlife, and scenery and closest to the National Parks both in Savannah and the Mountains. The two national parks the accommodations are located next to are; Rwenzori Mountains National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Thius gives you a chance to make your choice which location you like.

Considering that the Theluji festival and Tuskler Lite Rwenzori marathon are going to be in and around Kasese municipality, our accommodations are most suitable for the participants who want to reach the event venue without much struggle of transport, access and connections. All our accommodations are accessible by road. Besides, we have driver guides knowledgeable of the area, that will be able to provide the transfers at a fee.

Yes, our accommodation facilities are accessible by good road, are run by friendly staff and all operated by the locals. Our experienced chefs will feed you with our local cuisine to give you the best memories during and after the marathon.

 Our accommodations that  are still open for booking during the annual Theluji festival and Tusker Lite Rwenzori marathon include;

Distance and driving time:

The elephant home is located 20km south of Kasese town on Kasese-Mbarara tarmac road. It only takes you only 15 minutes drive to the event venue. Ruboni community Camp is located 28km north of Kasese town (off Kasese – Fort portal road) on marrun and tarmac roads respectively. It takes 30 minutes drive time to the event venue in Kasese municipality.

Why choose our accommodation:

What makes this accommodation unique is that, they are small and personalized. We focus on giving guests the privacy they deserve and yet enable them to mix with the community as much as they wish in our community activities.  Besides, we have dedicated experienced indigenous guides and transport providers at our facilities. Guests who stay with us get their safari or community activities organized at no additional costs.

Yes, we are not for large groups. We are for people who like to be private while they immerse in the beauty of our nature and culture around the Rwenzori Mountains or Queen Elizabeth National Parks. The Elephant home is only 10 people at full capacity while Ruboni Community Camp is 16 people at full capacity. This leaves a lot of space for nature and for our special guests like you, whenever you stay.

The smallness of our lodges give our guests a feel of being close to nature in our nature surrounded and scenic locations.

 These accommodations are also fully owned and run by the local communities living near the national parks. This is why our staff and communities are able to share with our guest, the most accurate story of their life with wildlife, during the stay.

From the lodges, we organize community guided tours, wildlife safaris and daily excursions that are easy to organize on arrival. When you participate in these tours, you will be able to use all your times between the theluji festival and Tusker Lite Rwenzori marathon events.

If you want a non congested accommodation with personalized hospitality, then you should choose one of our accommodations. Near one of the two National Parks.

Other accommodations:

What happens if you don’t like any of our accommodations or if we are already full? We have a solution for this. We will not leave any guest in the dark. Since we have very limited beds, we are making sure we don’t overcrowd our place beside the many bookings and inquiries. We do understand that not all participants will have a chance to stay with us.

We have a list of other accommodations in Ruboni village, where guests can stay subject to availability. We will be happy to book you in and organizes all your travels, tours and meals or other activities on request.  

Ruboni Village walk:

Buraru Forest walk:

Makongothe Hill climb walk:

Makongothe Overnight hill trek:

Banana farming tour experience:

Traditional story teller visit:

Bakonzo Black smith visit:

Coffee farming and making experience:

Vanilla farming experience:

Banana wine making experience:

Ssebwe water falls trek:

Rwenzori trekking activities:

Here is a list of popular hotels found at Rwenzori base camp, Nyakalengijo. Nyakalengijo is the central circuit, oldest and most popular gate of Rwenzori Mountains National park. It is located within Ruboni Tourism Village. If you are planning to trek through the central circuit, or interested in exploring the people, nature and culture of Rwenzori mountains, you will better stay in one of the hotels close to the gate. You will find them in the list bellow;

Snow Heights Lodge

Ruboni Community Camp

Summit Guest House

Rwenzori Turaco view camp

Snow Valley cottages

Base Camp, tours holiday Inn

La-frique Guesthouse

BLT residence:

Rwenzori Homestay:

Bookings for any of these hotels can be made directly with individual hotels, or though your tour operator. If you want to book through a local community operator that is resident to the Rwenzori, you will contact Ruboni Tourism Village to arrange your bookings.

Ruboni Tourism Village is a local initiative that consolidated all the tourism players and service providers at the Rwenzori Base Camp to the central circuit trail. This village intiative works with the different tourism stakeholders to promote sustainability in tourism.

You probably can’t wait any longer to experience the Rwenzori trekking challenge. When it is finally the time to go, Remember that Rwenzori home stay has been a choice of many who want to experience this area beyond the mountains. At This home stay, you have a great view of fore peaks these snow caped Mountains.

The home overlooks the great heights of the blue forested portal peaks, and the foothills. The experience and showcases the local way of life through the foods, meeting with people, on the farm and the available walks that you can freely take through the surrounding residential villages.

This guesthouse is located on the trail to the Rwenzori summit, through the Nyakalengijo central circuit gate at Mihunga village. with great preparedness and information that will be given by the host at Rwenzori homestay, your Rwenzori mountaineering experience will always be exceptional.

Rwenzori mountains park gate

Rwenzori homestay is connected to local guides that will show you everything in the Rwenzori Mountains and villages, than any other person. These are local experienced guides that have further been trained to do the job. They know hoe to relate the Rwenzori to their local life when you look for the chameleons, primates, viewing the Rwenzori Turaco and other animals unique to the Rwenzoris.

In case you want to dine out, there are many places you can have meals. These places include the Snow heights lodge, (former equator snow lodge) and Ruboni Community Camp. The home is located next to the community visitor’s Centre, where you have an opportunity to enjoy local affordable meals, and drinks at discounted prices while you mix with the local people.

During and after making it to the summit of the Rwenzori mountains, gift purchase is also possible from the home-stay. You will find a fully stocked gift shop at the community visitor Centre. Beside crafts, you can also buy locally farmed foods such as coffee, vanilla, Honey and locally made banana wine to enjoy instantly or take to your loved ones back home.

Locally made baskets

Indeed the Rwenzori homestay gives a full spectrum of Rwenzori Mountains from the landscapes, cultures, the foods and culture. In certain evenings, the village members perform the cultural songs and dance at the community visitor’s Centre. You will have an opportunity to participate in these events if you have time in the evening. During the event, you will learn how to sing, dance and play local musical instruments. Just come with some change to pay a small fee that will be charged for attending the event, to support the local community

For those who like to do their own cooking, the home has a kitchen, running water and electricity. You can also shop local foods and vegetables from the food basket that is located in front of the community Visitor’s Centre. Buying food from this stall supports the local girl child go back to school. It is owned and run by a local child empowerment initiative called; Child Education Recovery Action (CERA). You will hear more about CERA during your stay.

Besides providing accommodation for those trekking the Rwenzori Summit, Rwenzori homestay is ideal for people who want to explore the beautiful Rwenzori foothills. The homestay will introduce you to the local guided village tours. These include Ruboni village walk, Ruboni forest trails and the Ruboni hill trek.

In the village walk, you get a chance to meet the local households in their local setting, to show you their livelihoods such as storytelling, traditional healing, Blacksmithing, basket weaving and local farming experiences. on the forest trail, you will be looking for the Chameleons, snakes, birds, the variety of plant life and some times primates crossing from the park. on a lucky day, you can spot the great Rwenzori Turaco in this forest. The hill trek can sometimes be an over night or a day experience. the tiop of the hill is 2400m abve sea level and the highest in the village. while at the top, you have an opportunity to veiw margarita peak if the weather is clear.

Kitchen

Before you book your space at Rwenzori home stay, you can first read what our past guests have said about Rwenzori homestay. Today as you get ready for your mountaineering experience that will take you to summit the high snow peaks of Rwenzori.