Lake Katwe
Uganda's Pink Salt Lake
One of Uganda's most unique and culturally significant sites, Lake Katwe is a volcanic crater lake renowned for its traditional salt mining industry — a practice that has sustained local communities for over 500 years.
Quick Facts
- Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Western Uganda
- Type: Volcanic crater lake (saline)
- Famous for: Traditional salt extraction — one of Africa's oldest salt industries
- Colour: The lake turns pink/red during high evaporation periods
- Cultural significance: Salt from Katwe was traded across East and Central Africa for centuries
Why Visit Lake Katwe?
- Living History: Observe traditional salt harvesting methods used by local communities
- Unique Landscape: The pink-hued saline lake surrounded by crater rims is visually spectacular
- Community Connection: Meet the salt miners and understand their way of life
- Chess Connection: Lake Katwe is the birthplace of chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi, subject of the Disney film "Queen of Katwe"
Top Things to Do
- 🧂 Salt Mining Tour: Walk with local miners and see how salt is extracted from the lake floor
- 🌅 Crater Rim Walk: Hike around the crater edge for panoramic views of the lake and surrounding parkland
- 📸 Photography: The vivid colours and dramatic landscape make for stunning images
- 🤝 Community Visit: Learn about the Katwe community and their traditions
How to Get There
Lake Katwe is located within Queen Elizabeth National Park, near the town of Katwe. It is most commonly visited as part of a Queen Elizabeth NP safari itinerary.
- By Road: Accessible from Mweya Peninsula via a short drive through the park
- Park entrance fees apply
✨ Salt, Stories, and Stunning Scenery
Lake Katwe is unlike anywhere else in Uganda. A place where ancient industry meets modern conservation, and where the remarkable story of a community's resilience — and the chess prodigy who emerged from it — continues to inspire visitors from around the world.
Come for the scenery. Stay for the story.
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Visit Lake Katwe
Discover Uganda's ancient salt mining heritage on the shores of a volcanic crater lake.