Kabale

In the tourist brochures Kabale is dubbed the “Switzerland of Africa”. This is somewhat of an exaggeration for whilst not dirty, it can be a bit scruffy in parts, and certainly you'll never see a huge quarry site in the middle of a Swiss town. Nonetheless, it is quite pretty with surrounding forests and a laid-back feel to the town. With an altitude of almost 2000 metres, it also boasts being the highest town in Uganda.

Based at the comfortable Flockline Hotel (formerly Sky Blue Hotel), opposite the Shell garage on the main thoroughfare Mbarara Road, centrally close to the main bus station. The rooms are named after planets, and i find myself in Mercury (despite the key being labelled Mercury).For those suffering from a dodgy stomach, you might want to check into Uranus! It is clean with attached bathroom and mosquito nets, for which i’m paying USh30,000. Unfortunately, all i get from the hot water tap is a mild electric shock. Breakfast is not included so i put an order in for scrambled eggs on toast. They don’t have they tell me, but they can produce fried eggs on toast nonetheless. I therefore take my breakfasts at Skyline who can produce scrambled eggs on toast.

On my brief return to the town i move to the Home of Edirisa. It is cheaper (dorms USh2,000/single - USh11,000 and double - Ush20,000) but the rooms are all pretty dark. Nonetheless breakfast is included, it has a great hangout place upstairs, the menu is varied, with very popular pizzas, and the museum is free to residents. Lonely Planet rave about the mikshakes, but my banana one was very disappointing.

The Cafe Royal sorts out my caffeine fix for USh3,500 for a large espresso and they also have a varied and reasonable food menu.

The Royal supermarket next to Cafe Royal is a great place for some good imported goods.

The Little Ritz restaurant and bar does a fair pizza (USh10,000) and provides English Premiership football screenings.

it might not look quite like Switzerland, but it does have its own cows

There are three ATMs to withdraw cash in town.

There is not much to do for the travellist, and i am keen to move on to my next destination as soon as i can sort out my Internet connection for my laptop.

a church roof