AMAZING  STALAGMITES  AND  STALACTITES IN UGANDA

(Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru Caves)

The Amabeere  caves are Located 10km from Fort Portal town, the “Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru” is limestone site with an amazing legendary story behind their existence. The myth surrounding the caves are that they were named after Nyinamwiru a daughter of Bukuku one of the ancient rulers of the Batembuzi   Dynasty of the current Babito Kings of Toro and Bunyoro Kingdoms. She was a proud attractive girl who refused to marry the man her father chose for her.

As a result she was punished by cutting off her breasts which later are assumed to have grown into these scenic rocks with a dripping white liquid assumed to be milk which  is calcium oozing through the rocks because of the water falls above  that rolls over the rocks forming these breast like rocks, the size keeps on growing with years until one arm touches the ground to make a strong pillar.

 There overhanging climbers intertwined with rocks that surround this cultural and eco-tourism site. Hanging rock pillars broken down by chemical reaction between water and salt in the course of years that form breast-like pointed small pillars from which the name Amabere comes from.
Geographically, these rocks and caves are called stalagmites and stalactites. Stalagmites may also refer to a type of fungus according to Wikipedia. A stalagmite is a type of speleothem that rises from the floor of a limestone cave due to the dripping of mineralised solutions and the deposition of calcium carbonate. The corresponding formation on the ceiling of a cave is known as a stalactite. If these formations grow together, the result is known as a column.
Stalagmite should normally not be touched: Since the rock build up is formed by minerals solidifying out of the water solution onto the old surface, skin oils can disturb where the mineral water will cling, thus affecting the growth of the formation. Oils and dirt from the hands can also stain the formation and change its colour permanently.

Kabarole  is the only place in Uganda with such caves, natural with stalagmites and stalactites. It was listed among the top physical attractions in Kabarole District's Tourism Development Plan of 2006.

Have a chance of visiting these unique features in Uganda with wild Uganda  safaris (www.wildugandasafaris.com)