Katwe Tourism Information Center (KATIC)

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Katwe Tourism Information Center is a community operated enterprise at Lake Katwe in Kasese district. The center is a one stop point where visitors can getinformation about Lake Katwe and the surrounding community.

During the visit to KATIC, the local guide will take you to an interesting tour of the Lake where you will understand what is referred to as Plato “the substance dear to the gods”. Lake Katwe is the only salty Lake in Uganda and its level of saltiness makes it unable to support any wildlife. Since the 16th Century the Lake has ensured the survival of the Katwe communities, who spend their days under the equatorial sun, harvesting salt from its milky waters.

Unique networks of paths and huts have been built across the lake to support hundreds of workers. Selling the rock and table salt to traders from across Uganda and as far as Congo and Rwanda is the main source of income for the community.

The Katwe Salt Lake tour gives visitors unique insight into the fascinating yet tough process of salt mining, as well as providing an alternative income for Katwe. During the tour of the lake you will see community members at work, cross the mud walkways and enter one of the traditional grass huts, used to shelter and store tools. You will also pass the nearby bird sanctuary lake, home to thousands of birds, including migrating flamingoes from October to May.

If you wonder what it is like to live in this village next to the salt lake, the community tour gives visitors the chance to meet the locals, and get involved in their daily lives. You will be welcomed to a traditional homestead, to see what the villagers come home to after a hard day harvesting salt on the lake. Cooking demonstrations will introduce you to the food of this region and the traditional methods used to cook and prepare the meals. On arrangement, visitors can also enjoy a trip to the local school.

Activities and experiences

Traditional salt mining tour to experience and see traditional salt mining techniques. Amazing opportunities for photography of the unique networks that have been dissected on the lake.
Munyanyange birding tour.
Shopping for handicrafts and souvenirs.
Community tours- learn how to make traditional Ugandan food on an open fire.

Responsible Travel

Every single visit counts massively to the community as profits from tours help in support for environmental and health awareness campaigns, as well as providing an income for those too elderly to mine salt.
All guides used are local, and have received training
Profits raised have gone towards supplying desks for local schools, and supporting older residents who are no longer able to mine salt.
Local crafts and handmade batik and tie-dye fabrics are available to purchase at the main office – profits go to the craftswomen of the Katwe Women’s Group. The women perform dramas and songs in surrounding communities and schools to raise awareness of issues such as HIV and the environment, especially poaching.

How to get there:

Katwe salt lake and village is located in the north west of Queen Elizabeth National Park, in Western Uganda. Branch off the Kasese Mbarara road at the Mweya gate and drive 22km until you reach town council past the park gate.

Contact to book contact

P.O. Box 99, Lake Katwe, Kasese, Uganda

Phone: +256 752 618 265

Email: katwe@yahoo.com

Website: www.katwe-council.com

Or contact UCOTA/Pearls of Uganda

Phone: +256(0)414-501-866/+256(0)772-657-700

E-mail: info@pearlsofuganda.org

Website: www.pearlsofuganda.org

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