Lake Katwe Explosion Craters : In Uganda, the region surrounding Queen Elizabeth National Park is a home to explosion crater lakes. They are situated in the northern portion of the Mweya peninsula. The main Crater Lake is called “Lake Katwe,” and it is the largest salt producer in Uganda. Its 3,265-foot depth prevents animals from living there, but elephants, buffaloes, flamingos, and baboons can be seen at the “baboon cliff.”

The area surrounding Queen Elizabeth National Park on a Uganda safari has the Lake Katwe Explosion Craters. They are situated in the northern portion of the Mweya peninsula. The main Crater Lake is called “Lake Katwe,” and it is the largest salt producer in Uganda. Its 3,265-foot depth prevents animals from living in it, but elephants, buffaloes, flamingos, and baboons can be seen at the “baboon cliff.”

The safari through the craters in Queen Elizabeth National Park is only 27 kilometres long. Elephants and the “loser buffaloes,” or lonely male buffaloes, can be seen along the route and among many others.

North of the Mweya peninsular is where you’ll find the Katwe Craters. Within Western Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park, they are located at the greatest elevation. During the safari, you may observe the escarpments and Africa’s enormous western rift valley. Additionally, Lake George, the Kazinga Channel that connects Lake Edward and Lake George, and possibly the Mountain Rwenzori ranges will be seen.

The eruption craters that are visible in western Uganda, including those in the Bushenyi district, Kasese, and Fort Portal, were created as a result of several active volcanoes.  Although the Katwe craters are thought to be extinct, several of them still emit sulphurous gas odours.

The Katwe explosion craters are a stunning hiking safari location in Uganda’s western Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Kitagata Lake, which is nourished by the salty hot springs, is a sight you should not miss on a Uganda safari. There is no wildlife near this lake, yet it is still incredibly attractive to observe and wander around.

Visits to Queen Elizabeth National Park will enhance your trekking safari experience thanks to the Katwe Explosion Craters. What a lovely alchemy this creates. The ‘Top of the World’ walk near Fort Portal will take you to other crater lakes through the villages and past tea fields.

At Lake Katwe, you will also have the opportunity to tour the old salt factory. Here, you will learn how salt is created during the dry season from super- or hyper-concentrated saline water. You will see just how difficult this task is since it can lead to sexual difficulties for the miners. Nevertheless, they continue to work hard as if their whole existence depends on salt mining, which is true because salt mining is the primary source of income for the residents of Katwe village. So, by purchasing their crafts, you can contribute to the community.

One of the folktales from western Uganda refers to the crater at Fort Portal as the “kasesankarange,” which means the thrower of roasted debris from the mouth or stomach. You wouldn’t want to miss the narrative as it is being told by the community’s residents.

You will see wild wildlife on your excursions, including monkeys, baboons at Nyamunuka Crater Lake, tropical birds, and Queen Elizabeth National Park’s eye-catching migratory birds. They are supposed to migrate to western Uganda during the winter from Europe in search of warmth. If you wonder why, out of all the areas they might have stayed, they chose to stay close to salty crater lakes, you will observe them sleeping on the salty Kitagata shoreline (where there is no life).

Bunyaruguru Crater Fields is one of the other crater lakes. These can be found in the western rift valley’s Kichwamba escarpment. For instance, this area is a home to 20 additional craters in addition to Lake Nkugute, which can be seen from the Mbarara-Kasese route. Imagine how crater-filled the west is.

Ndali-Kasenda Crater Fields, which are close to Fort Portal-Kibale Forest, are another crater field. As opposed to the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here, craters are investigated on foot. In this area, hikers can observe the moon’s mountains, pass through tea plantations, the Kibale Rain Forest, Lake George, and the Kichwamba Escarpment in the western rift valley.

The crater fields near Fort Portal are the smallest in western Uganda. Lakes similar to Lake Kyaninga exist there. It is only a short walk from the crater to the luxurious Kyaninga Lodge, which has a view of Crater Lake, if you chance to have some extra cash to spare.

Accommodation should not be your worry, queen Elizabeth national park is spotted with a lot of accommodation facilities; Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Cvk Lodge, Queen Elizabeth safari lodge and many others.

These are the nearest to the craters however you can also lodge in Mweya Hostels, Mweya Safari Gorge Lodge, Park View Lodge, Katwe Camp, among others.

When you visit Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Forests, or Kibale National Park, the Katwe Craters should unquestionably be on your must-do list on a Uganda safari. Let the picturesque surroundings at least entice you to participate in this pastime.

Thought to have been created as a result of extremely powerful volcanic eruptions. These eruptions were so powerful that ash was extensively disseminated throughout the surrounding terrain rather than stacking up around the vents as was typical.

They are now referred to as crater lakes, and some of these lakes still emit the odours associated with sculpture. The most picturesque of these lakes are Kyemengo, Bunyaraguru on the Kichambwa escarpment, and the Ndali Kasenda crater. A few years prior to the birth of Christ, these crater explosion lakes continued to erupt with volcanic fire and brimstone.

They have no outflows for water hence making the water salty.

The 27-kilometer journey around the lakes offers plenty of opportunities to witness animals, including elephants, monkeys, and several bird species. The crater lakes are situated in a region that offers stunning views of the huge western arm of the African rift valley and its massive escarpments.

In the local communities of the people of western Uganda they still speak of the crater lakes like kasesankarange in fort portal meaning spewer of roasted materials. The three main lakes mentioned above are not the only crater lakes present there in; the area contains over 20 crater lakes, some of which are dry. Some of these lakes still contain molten lava and are likely to erupt in years to come, probably not when you’re on safari, so just enjoy the extraordinary views for the time being.

These lakes are accessible on foot and are located close to the Kibale Forest and Fort Portal area. The “on top of the world” climb, which offers panoramic views of the right valley escarpments and mountains of the moon among other things, is one of the hikes that can be done here. You can extend your schedule to include a nature-guided tour through Kibale Forest. A half-day or full-day tour can be taken. Additionally, there are lodging facilities in the area.

This explosion crater lakes also attract various numbers of birds.

Queen Elizabeth National Park has a lot to offer in addition to explosion crater lakes, starting with the breathtaking views of these crater lakes to the freshwater bodies, lake George and lake Edward, not to mention the stunning Kazinga channel with its countless hippos, crocodiles, and elephant sightings in the late afternoon, as well as the overlying views of the Ishasha and Kasenyi plains overlooking the moon’s mountains and Kasese town and fishing villages.

The great Kyambura, also known as “the valley of the apes,” is where one can view chimpanzees, as well as the baboon cliff close to Lake Katwe. Don’t forget to visit the Lake Katwe fishing village to observe people’s way of life and learn how salt is mined, though the mining processes haven’t changed in recent years. One can take a full-day itinerary tour and get a unique view of the volcanic eruptions by visiting these explosion crater lakes.