Kampala Travelers Recommend

Uganda’s vibrant capital boasts easy links across the Pearl of Africa, as well as top sightseeing opportunities of its own. With three full days in Kampala, you can get a taste of it all, from intimate city tours to safari excursions. Here are our top tips for getting the most out of your time here, including several day-trip options.

Day 1: Curious about Kampala

Begin your Uganda visit by getting your bearings in Kampala on a comprehensive sightseeing tour, and gain insight into the bustling city’s past and present. Maximize your time with a full-day itinerary, ticking off several highlights in just one day and enjoying included round-trip hotel transfers; for a broader perspective, benefit from tours that include admission to the Uganda National Museum. If you have some free time before sundown, take a boda boda (bicycle or motorcycle taxi) to the summit of Kololo Hill for sweeping city panoramas. Top off your day in one of Kampala’s air-conditioned malls for dinner and drinks away from the tropical heat, then hit Jinja Road to experience the city’s lively nightlife.

Day 2: Scenic Surroundings and Sanctuaries

You needn’t travel far to immerse yourself in Uganda’s great outdoors, with several tours visiting top attractions fewer than two hours from the city. Geographers can head east to discover the source of the Nile or set off in the opposite direction to find the equator. Those looking for a break from the crowded city can explore Lake Victoria’s secluded shores by bike or Mabamba Bay Swamp in search of elusive bird species. Alternatively, nearby wildlife sanctuaries offer a uniquely intimate glimpse of Uganda’s native fauna, including chimpanzees, rhinoceroses, and lions. Return to town early enough for a street food supper, sampling specialties such as the “rolex,” then head to the Ndere Centre to catch a traditional dance and music performance.

Day 3: City Escape

Take advantage of the capital’s convenient links to the country’s wider reaches to enjoy a full day away from the city. Choose from a range of top destinations to gain a deeper appreciation of Uganda’s natural scenery or rich culture. Lake Bunyonyi and its terraces offer idyllic green vistas ideal for relaxation, while Kibale National Park, known for its wealth of rainforest landscapes and wildlife, offers more active excursions. Opt to observe traditional African safari species in their natural savannah habitats, such as Lake Mburo National Park, or instead visit traditional towns such as Fort Portal for immersive cultural experiences. After a busy few days, consider spending your last night in one of Entebbe’s high-end hotels or laid-back hostels to ensure swift and easy access to the nearby airport for your international flight.

Experiencing Kampala’s unique blend of attractions, architecture, cultures, and landscapes is a must-do for any visitor to East Africa. And with two days in the Ugandan capital, you can see a lot of both the city itself and the stunning natural beauty beyond. Here are our top tips for making the most of 48 hours in Kampala.

Day 1: Discover the City of Seven Hills

Morning: Book a full-day city sightseeing tour to tick off a number of attractions, benefiting from a comprehensive itinerary and included round-trip hotel transfer. Alternatively, explore the capital according to your interests, opting to cruise lakeshores by bike, discover cultural traditions, or learn about development projects on a focused tour.

Afternoon: Full-day tours continue into the afternoon, often with lunch included. Otherwise, broaden your perspective with a visit to Makerere University, a prestigious academic institution noted for its alumni, or hop on a boda boda (bike or motorcycle taxi) to discover striking architecture and sweeping panoramas from the peaks of Kampala’s many hills.

Night: For a uniquely Ugandan dinner, try a “rolex” from a street food stall, or unwind with a sit-down meal in one of the Kololo district’s up-market restaurants. You can catch dance shows three evenings a week at the Ndere Centre, while the Industrial Area’s clubs are lively every night—and often well into the next day.

Day 2: Journey into the Pearl of Africa

Day: Start your day early, taking advantage of the many full-day tours available to explore beyond Kampala, according to your interests. Uganda, renowned for its natural scenery and diverse wildlife, hosts a number of breathtaking destinations to choose from. Look for endangered rainforest species in the Mabira Forest Reserve, search for savannah natives at Lake Mburo National Park, track chimps in the Budongo Central Forest Reserve, or discover diverse species in Kibale National Park. Alternatively, visit traditional towns, such as Fort Portal, to learn more about the country’s cultural heritage with new recipes and craft skills. Day tours typically include hassle-free round-trip transfer from your hotel, and some also include lunch.

Night: After an active day, the elegant lodges nestled in the Kampalan hills provide a perfect setting for views and victuals. Alternatively, Lake Victoria’s winding shores are dotted with high-end resorts all the way to Entebbe, where international visitors often spend the night before their outbound flights to avoid the hassle of transfer.

The Buganda (sometimes spelled Baganda) Kingdom, situated on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, is one of the largest traditional kingdoms in East Africa. Here are some ways to experience Buganda culture and history while visiting Kampala, the Ugandan capital, which sits at the heart of the region.

• Pay tribute to past Buganda kings, known as kabaka, at the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Kasubi Tombs.

• Explore the town of Naggalabi, the birthplace of the Buganda Kingdom and coronation site for modern Budganda royalty.

• Attend a traditional music and dance performance by the Ndere Troupe at the Ndere Centre in Kampala.

• Tour the Buganda King’s Palace and Buganda King’s Lake during a sightseeing tour of the Ugandan capital.

• Learn about the history and cultural heritage of East Africa, including the Kingdom of Buganda, at the Uganda Museum.

From historic monuments to creative movements to pulsating nightlife, the modern city of Kampala has ample diversity of attractions and culture to interest every visitor. One day in the Ugandan capital is ample time for a memorable overview. Here are our tops tips on how to maximize 24 hours in Kampala.

Morning: Hit the Highlights

Start your day with a comprehensive city tour, and gain an overview of Ugandan history as you take in landmarks such as Kabaka’s Palace, the Uganda Martyrs Shrine, the Uganda Museum, and the Independence Monument. Kampala’s main sights are spread across its 21 hills, and whether you’re interested in traditional customs or ongoing development projects, there are tours to suit—and most offer round-trip transfer from your hotel for fatigue-free exploration. A full-day tour eliminates the need for advanced planning, and allows you to tick off several highlights on limited time.

Afternoon: Explore Further

Enjoy lunch included in your full-day tour package, or, if traveling independently, sample a street vendor’s “rolex” for a taste of Kampalan fast food before continuing to explore the city with ease by foot, taxi, or boda boda (bicycle or motorcycle taxi). Several galleries and creative spaces, such as 32° East/Ugandan Arts Trust and Under Ground, offer an alternative perspective to historical sightseeing tours, and it’s possible to visit to the prestigious Makerere University, particularly known for its literary and political alumni. If you need a rest, while Kampala’s rapid growth has negatively impacted green spaces in the city, community hubs such as Maisha Garden provide natural retreats from the bustling streets.

Night: Do Dinner and Dancing

After a busy day of sightseeing, grab a bite in a popular Central Kampala or Kololo restaurant, or head off the beaten track to one of the city’s often-overlooked vegetarian spots, which are wonderfully representative of Kampala’s sizable Indian community. Note that no visit to Kampala is complete without sampling its thriving nightlife, and the clubs and bars of Kololo and the Industrial Area will keep you entertained into the wee hours. If your feet are too fatigued to dance the night away yourself, check out Ndere Centre, where traditional dance and music shows are scheduled regularly.