If you’re visiting Uganda, we extremely suggest spending a while in its capital metropolis Kampala. We’ve already coated in depth all our favorite issues to do in Kampala, however we respect that when you don’t have time to do all the things, you could be questioning how finest to spend a day in Kampala.
Properly, with that query in thoughts, we now have put collectively this in the future Kampala itinerary. It covers the principle highlights that we suggest seeing, which might be excellent for a primary time customer. It covers the most important sights that almost all guests are more likely to need to see, and is doable in a busy day of sightseeing with some cautious planning.
In fact, as with all of our itineraries, we suggest adjusting this to fit your personal private tempo and pursuits. Should you wish to go a bit slower and spend longer at sights, then in fact you possibly can change it up.
This itinerary although ought to provide you with an excellent start line for how you can spend a day in Uganda’s capital metropolis. Let’s get began.
A 1 Day Kampala Itinerary
We have now visited Kampala a variety of instances and have visited the vast majority of the sights throughout town. Once we go to Uganda we usually attempt to have no less than a day to discover Kampala, however we now have additionally spent longer within the metropolis on the finish of a visit earlier than heading on to our subsequent vacation spot.
Primarily based on our experiences, we put collectively this itinerary which encompasses a few of our favorite actions in Kampala that we predict cowl the principle highlights that guests will take pleasure in seeing.
After this detailed 1-day itinerary, we’ll additionally share another urged itineraries primarily based round totally different themes, to provide you much more concepts in your day in Kampala. So these are every centered particularly on these with a particular space of curiosity equivalent to historical past, tradition, meals, artwork, wildlife, and many others.
However first, let’s take a look at our really helpful technique to spend a day in Kampala.
Cease 1: Take 3-hour strolling tour of central Kampala @ 9am
Our advice in your first exercise of the day could be to take a strolling tour with a educated native information. It will assist provide you with a good suggestion of the historical past of Kampala, study cultural practices, and be capable to ask questions to assist information the remainder of your time within the metropolis.
Central Kampala could be a bit overwhelming, particularly to the first-time customer, so having a information with you who handles the logistics of the place you’re going and maintaining you secure could be a good suggestion.
There are a selection of various strolling excursions accessible of Kampala which usually final 3 to 4 hours. Sights visited will fluctuate, however the majority of excursions will embody the principle highlights of central Kampala. So that may embody visiting a market or two, seeing central historic websites and buildings, sampling native meals, and visiting monuments in Kampala together with the Independence Monument.
We took this glorious strolling tour of the highlights of central Kampala with information Arthur who is part of the ImmersionUG tour firm. It’s the prime firm we are able to personally suggest for strolling excursions as we now have taken a number of strolling and meals excursions from them throughout our visits to Uganda. You may see all their excursions right here.
Many excursions of Kampala additionally provide the choice to go to the Uganda Nationwide Mosque as a part of your tour. Relying on the tour, it will usually prolong the tour time by round an hour. It’s additionally in a distinct a part of town to that which most foot excursions concentrate on, so usually requires both a boda-boda or taxi trip to a different space of town.
Should you do that you then is perhaps a bit pressed to do all the things else on this itinerary and still have lunch, however clearly it’s as much as you what your priorities are.
Should you resolve to go to the mosque and nonetheless need to go to the remainder of the suggest locations within the afternoon, I’d suggest asking your information about grabbing a fast sandwich or snack for lunch on the finish of the strolling tour or contemplate choosing up a few issues on the market throughout the tour. It’s also possible to come ready with some snacks and fruit in your day bag to eat throughout your day.
An alternative choice could be to guide a strolling tour which has an earlier begin time, equivalent to this non-public tour which helps you to begin at 8am.
Another standard strolling excursions to think about in Kampala embody:
Cease 2: Lunch @ 12pm
At noon, after your strolling tour is completed, we suggest stopping for lunch. You’ve simply spent round 3-4 hours strolling round, so a pause for lunch earlier than persevering with your sightseeing might be a good suggestion.
If you’re taking a full day tour, your tour will possible embody a cease for lunch and the value is commonly included as a part of the tour.
If you’re not taking a full-day tour, we suggest asking your strolling tour information for an excellent lunch advice. One of many advantages of taking a guided tour is you could ask your information for suggestions for different sights in addition to the place to eat lunch. That’s why after we take a strolling tour in a metropolis we’re visiting for just a few days, we at all times attempt to do it close to the beginning of our keep so we are able to reap the benefits of the guides suggestions for our remaining days.
There are many fast avenue meals stalls and carts that cater to locals when you simply need a rolex (omelette wrapped in flatbread), plate of kikomando (chapati and fried beans), meat skewer, or a sizzling sandwich/wrap (usually a chapati wrap with filling). These are fast, low-cost, and filling.
There are additionally buffet type lunch spots the place you possibly can sit down and take a look at a number of dishes directly. These are usually an excellent worth. If you’re in search of some standard native meals to strive apart from a rolex, we’d counsel kikomando (fried beans and chapati), matoke or matooke (boiled and mashed inexperienced bananas), luwombo (a stew cooked in banana leaves that may embody meat, fish, and/or peanuts), native fish (e.g., Nile perch, tilapia), posho or ugali (cornmeal porridge that could be a staple throughout East Africa), and grilled meats.
Your information may also help counsel a spot for you primarily based on what you’re in search of, and also you simply need to make certain the place seems to be sanitary and the meals is served sizzling. Keep away from recent veggies and salad, chilly dishes, unbottled water, undercooked objects, and many others.
Should you want a nicer sit down place and have a bit extra time, we suggest heading to a neighborhood resort restaurant. Most motels have eating places that serve each resort company and guests.
In fact it’s also possible to save time by simply bringing alongside some meals with you (e.g., fruit, nuts, granola bars, jerky, and many others.) and having it as you go throughout the day when you want. Even in case you are not prepared for lunch, breaking no less than for a espresso, tea, or soda although could be good after an extended strolling tour.
Kabaka’s Palace @ 1pm
The main focus of the rest of the day is on a variety of cultural sights that can assist you to perceive the historical past of Uganda, from pre-colonial instances by to the extra trendy age.
The primary cease we suggest in your afternoon is the Kabaka’s Palace. The Kabaka is the King of the Kingdom of Buganda, which is likely one of the 5 kingdoms which makes up modern-day Uganda. Buganda is the most important Kingdom, and its capital was additionally Kampala. The Buganda monarchy dates again over 800 years and remains to be alive and properly in the present day.
Historically, the Kabaka has had his palace on prime of one of many many hills of Kampala. As we speak’s palace, often known as Lubiri or Mengo palace, is not any totally different. It’s discovered on prime of Mengo Hill, the place the palace has been located for the reason that mid nineteenth century. Nonetheless, the constructing was extensively broken throughout the 1966 civil battle, following which it was utilized by Idi Amin throughout his oppressive regime. The palace is not occupied by the Kabaka, who solely visits for ceremonial causes.
With no Royal individual to maintain secure from prying eyes, the palace grounds at the moment are open to guests. The palace itself is closed, however you get good views of its exterior. The palace grounds can solely be visited by tour, which is straightforward to rearrange, simply go to the principle gate, pay an entry charge, and a information will present you round.
Your tour will usually embody an excellent oral historical past of the palace and its grounds, in addition to the principle occasions that formed what you see in the present day. Additionally, you will tour the notorious torture chambers of Idi Amin, who had as much as 200,000 individuals imprisoned and murdered right here throughout his regime. This darkish interval of historical past and the destructive affiliation is the principle motive that the palace and its grounds are not occupied by the Kabaka.
We actually loved our tour of Kabaka’s Palace and grounds. The tour information was glorious, and we learnt lots about Uganda’s historical past, together with current and extra distant historical past. We additionally loved studying about conventional bark fabric making and a few of the native video games that locals wish to play.
A tour will usually final round an hour and we predict is a wonderful technique to study extra in regards to the historical past of Uganda. You additionally get an excellent view of Kampala from Mengo Hill.
Kasubi Tombs @ 2:45pm
Simply 10 minutes drive (relying on site visitors!) from Kabaka’s Palace are the Kasubi Tombs. These are additionally associated to the Royal household, being the ultimate resting place of a variety of the Buganda Kings.
Historically, the Kabaka, or King of Buganda, would select a singular location for his or her burial. So the Kasubi tombs are uncommon as a result of they’re residence to 4 Kabaka’s, in addition to a variety of their descendants. The tombs date from 1882, with the primary burial in 1884, and the latest in 1971.
There are a selection of constructions on the location, with the large foremost round constructing being the principle attraction. This 102ft extensive, 25ft excessive constructing is the place the tombs of the 4 kings are literally discovered. The massive constructing is primarily constructed from pure supplies within the conventional type. It’s distinctive measurement and conventional building strategies led to it being listed as a UNESCO world heritage web site in 2001.
In addition to the principle central constructing, there are a selection of different buildings on the location which could be seen while you go to. These embody the Royal drum home, in addition to the houses for the Kabaka’s widows and relations. Historically these relations would dwell on web site to have a tendency the graves.
Tragedy befell the location in 2010 when an enormous fireplace prompted a substantial amount of destruction, however following intensive reconstruction efforts utilizing conventional supplies, the location is as soon as once more open for guests. There’s a charge to go to, which incorporates a superb tour of the grounds. Count on to spend round an hour to 90 minutes right here.
We loved our go to to the Kasubi tombs, though they had been nonetheless present process renovations after we final visited. These have now been accomplished. Our tour included all the principle sights, and our information was additionally excellent, actually bringing to life all the things that we noticed.
Uganda Nationwide Museum @ 4pm
After visiting the Kasubi Tombs, when you nonetheless want to proceed sightseeing and studying about Uganda, then we extremely suggest taking the ten-minute drive to the Uganda Nationwide Museum.
This dates from 1908, making it the oldest museum in East Africa, and it’s the place to return to study all about Uganda’s cultural heritage and historical past.
There are a selection of reveals on show, which cowl all the things from conventional musical devices to artwork, drugs, clothes, fossils and far way more. You may mainly study all in regards to the historical past of the area from pre-history to the current day.
One in every of our favourite elements of the museum is the skin space, the place you’ll discover a variety of totally different conventional buildings. These symbolize a few of the totally different tribes and time durations of Uganda throughout the years, and every constructing additionally accommodates a variety of traditionally correct reveals.
This isn’t an enormous museum, so even when you don’t have quite a lot of time left in your schedule we predict you’ll nonetheless take pleasure in a go to. There’s a charge to go to and it’s positively someplace you possibly can go to on a self-guided foundation as there’s loads of info accessible in English.
Break @ 5:30pm
At this level within the day, you’ve finished lots and we’re going to suggest taking a break, possible heading again to your resort in case you are staying in Kampala, earlier than your night exercise. Maybe a drink, a nap, or a fast dip within the pool earlier than preparing for dinner.
If you’re not staying within the metropolis, I’d head to a restaurant or bar for a espresso, soda, juice, or beer and a pleasant break.
Ndere Cultural Heart @ 7pm
We might suggest, if doable, planning your go to to Kampala so the night co-incides with one of many cultural performances on the Ndere Cultural Heart. These performances run just a few instances per week and had been certainly one of our highlights of our final go to to Kampala.
The efficiency takes place exterior below an enormous mango tree, and showcases the most effective of Uganda tradition throughout the varied tribes who make up the land. A superb compere introduces every efficiency to provide you context and understanding of what you’re seeing, and actually helps deliver the expertise to the subsequent stage.
It’s additionally doable to have dinner as a part of the present for an additional charge, with a variety of conventional dishes included. We are able to suggest doing this because it gives you an excellent alternative to strive some native meals and never have to fret about discovering dinner.
We arrived slightly early for our present so we might discover the grounds slightly bit and take a look at the artwork on show. We then sat down to look at the present because the daylight light into evening, and actually loved the vitality and enthusiasm of the performers.
This was a very enjoyable expertise and certainly one of our favorite issues to do in Kampala. We are able to extremely suggest it!
Different 1 Day Kampala Itinerary Choices
Should you’d like some extra inspiration for spending a day in Kampala, we now have some ideas for you. We’ve put collectively some further choices themed round some particular classes like historical past, meals, tradition and so forth.
Be at liberty to combine and match throughout the sights to give you your individual excellent 1-day itinerary. We’d counsel that planning to go to 3 or 4 sights in a day would make sense for many guests, though do notice that actions situated exterior town just like the Mabamba Swamp tour or Entebbe Zoo are going to take up extra time. It’s also possible to learn our information to issues to do in Kampala for extra concepts and knowledge on all of the websites we suggest.
When it comes to planning a day like this, you possibly can both do all the things your self, or you possibly can attain out to a tour operator who can put collectively a personal customized tour primarily based in your pursuits, equivalent to this one. They need to deal with all of your transportation and likewise be certain that your sightseeing targets are achievable within the time you will have.
Historical past Itinerary
Kampala has a lot to supply those that are enthusiastic about studying in regards to the historical past of town and Uganda basically. We’d counsel an itinerary that appears one thing like the next:
- Morning: Metropolis tour equivalent to this one
- Afternoon: Uganda Museum, Kabaka’s Palace, and Kasubi Tombs
It’s additionally doable to guide a tour which incorporates these sights in addition to a variety of others, equivalent to this full day tour.
Meals Targeted Itinerary
Should you’d wish to study extra in regards to the meals of Kampala, then you possibly can put collectively a day which focuses on exploring native markets, studying about native meals and dishes, and consuming a few of the many conventional dishes of town. A day may look as follows:
Arts and Tradition Itinerary
There’s no scarcity of artwork and cultural sights to take pleasure in in Kampala. Right here’s an concept for a day centered on exploring the inventive and cultural sights within the metropolis.
Non secular / Non secular Itinerary
Uganda has a wealthy religious life, with a variety of religions being practiced within the nation. These embody Christianity and Islam, in addition to Judaism, Hinduism, Baha’i, and conventional beliefs and practices.
Over time, and notably with the arrival of colonists, non secular practices shifted dramatically in Uganda. As is commonly the way in which, this was not a frictionless course of, with a variety of lives misplaced within the course of. Consequently, there are an excellent many sights of spiritual significance in addition to locations of worship throughout Kampala and the encircling area. It is perhaps difficult to suit all the things into in the future given how a lot there may be to see, however an concept could be:
- Morning: Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine Basilica, Baha’i Home of Worship
- Afternoon: Uganda Nationwide Mosque, Saint Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe, St. Mary’s Cathedral Rubaga
The vast majority of these sights are visited as a part of this non secular tour of Kampala. This can be a related tour.
If you’re visiting Uganda as a Catholic pilgrim, the Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine and Basilica might be a must-see. It’s situated a 30 minute drive exterior of town in Namugongo, however you possibly can can take a taxi or be a part of a tour to succeed in it.
Additionally value mentioning is the very attention-grabbing Shree Sanatan Dharma Mandal Hindi temple. It’s situated in central Kampala and is typically visited in metropolis strolling excursions.
And for these of you who’re notably within the story of how Christianity got here to Uganda, a go to to the Kasingi touchdown web site close to Entebbe might also be of curiosity. Simply notice that it’s fairly an effort to get right here and is finest when you have a driver and you could must undergo a safety test as it’s situated close to the airport.
Markets/ Purchasing centered itinerary:
Kampala has a lot of good markets to discover, from markets which concentrate on arts and crafts by to extra conventional meals markets serving the wants of the native inhabitants. You possibly can simply spend a day visiting the markets in Kampala, which could look as follows:
- Morning: Owino Market, Nakasero Market
- Afternoon: Bagala Craft Market / Publicity Africa / Nommo Gallery
This full day strolling tour of Kampala consists of the vast majority of these markets, in addition to a variety of different sights within the metropolis. There’s additionally a half-day tour which additionally covers the principle markets within the metropolis.
If you’re additionally heading to Entebbe, we’d additionally suggest the Entebbe Juakali Centre (Entebbe Craft Market) and the little craft retailer throughout the Victoria Mall throughout the road for native crafts and souvenirs. There’s additionally the Kitooro Market in Entebbe, a coated market that focuses extra on produce, meat, and on a regular basis objects.
Wildlife primarily based itinerary
Many individuals visiting Uganda are right here for the unimaginable wildlife alternatives, with chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking being excessive on the record of issues to do.
While these actions primarily happen as a part of an extended multi-day safari, there are a selection of different wildlife experiences you could have in and round Kampala. A few of these experiences are a bit longer, so will take up a lot of the day.
Right here’s a urged day, adopted by some extra concepts for wildlife centered actions round Kampala. Word that whereas you are able to do city birding in Kampala, most different wildlife actions and sights are situated in or round Entebbe. However these are nonetheless simple to do as a day journey from Kampala.
- Morning: Mabamba Swamp tour like this or city birding round Kampala
- Afternoon: Entebbe Zoo, Botanical gardens in Entebbe
An alternative choice could be to go to the Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary (tour like this). Should you don’t have the time to do a visit out to the areas of Uganda the place chimpanzee trekking is feasible, then you possibly can go to Ngamba island as a substitute. That is on Lake Victoria and is residence to a variety of rescued chimpanzees.
Should you take pleasure in birds, you possibly can see a lot of birds in Kampala with out leaving town, particularly within the mornings. Actually there are over 300 species you can see in Kampala! We noticed a quantity on electrical wires and poles, in our motels’ gardens, at standard sights (Kabaka’s Palace, Kasubi Tombs, Uganda Martyrs Shrine, Baha’i Temple) and round golf programs.
So you’ll possible spot a number of chicken species by simply going to standard locations when you preserve your eyes open. However it may be tough to do birdwatching in a big and congested metropolis, so simply watch out.
Kampala Native Life Itinerary
Should you’d wish to study extra about life in Kampala, then we’d suggest taking a tour or two with a Kampala native. They’ll be capable to take you to locations you in all probability wouldn’t have thought to go by yourself, in addition to share their insights on life within the metropolis. You may select a tour (or excursions) that meet your pursuits. An instance itinerary may look as follows:
As you possibly can see, there are myriad methods to fill a day (or extra!) in Kampala.
Reserving your Day Tour in Kampala
You’ve just a few totally different choices for getting round Kampala, together with doing all the things your self utilizing trip shares, taxis or buses. Nonetheless, for a extra seamless expertise, we predict most guests are going to search out it simpler to rearrange some kind of transport.
We have now finished each, and having a driver for the day was positively simpler. If you’re visiting Uganda as a part of an extended journey the place you will have a tour firm, then they are going to possible be capable to embody a while in Kampala as a part of your journey. Simply allow them to know the place you need to go and what you need to see.
An alternative choice is simply to rent a personal driver for the day. They’ll fear in regards to the site visitors, parking, and the route, and you’ll take pleasure in your self with sightseeing.
Lastly, you possibly can guide a tour that covers the sights you need to see. There are each non-public and group excursions accessible. When evaluating excursions, at all times test what’s and isn’t included. For instance, some excursions embody entry charges, transport, meals and water, while others might not. It’s additionally necessary to test any refund or cancellation insurance policies earlier than reserving.
Once we journey, we practically at all times guide our excursions prematurely with both GetYourGuide or Viator which each supply a 24-hour cancellation coverage for most tickets and excursions. This implies you possibly can cancel a tour as much as 24 hours earlier than it begins and obtain a full refund. This permits for flexibility if our journey plans unexpectedly change.
Listed here are a variety of tour choices we propose which can supply an excellent expertise in your day in Kampala. Word that if a personal tour doesn’t go to all of the sights you need to see, you could possibly attain out to the operator for a customized itinerary.
- This non-public customized tour information service will assist you to specify precisely what you need to do and see along with your day in Kampala.
- This full day non-public tour with transport consists of Kabaka’s Palace, Nationwide Mosque, a sit-down lunch, the Kasubi Tombs, Bagala Craft Market and Bahá’i Temple. Admission charges and lunch are included.
- This full day non-public tour consists of Bagala Craft Market, Baha’i temple, Nationwide Mosque, Kasubi tombs, Kabala’s Palace, Basilica of the Uganda Martrys and a sit-down meal. Lunch and admission charges are included.
- This full day non-public tour features a go to to Kabaka’s Palace, the Kasubi Tombs, Uganda Nationwide Mosque, the Baha’i Temple, and the Namugongo Martyr’s Museum. It consists of admission charges and lunch.
- This full day group tour consists of Kabaka’s Palace, the Uganda Nationwide Mosque, Nakasero market, the Uganda Museum, and an arts and crafts market. Admission charges are included however not meals.
- We’ve discovered two full day excursions, this one and this one, which focus extra on the non secular websites in and round Kampala, together with the Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine, the most important cathedrals within the metropolis, the Uganda Nationwide Mosque and the Baha’i temple.
- There are additionally shorter excursions of Kampala, together with this half day meals tour, and this half-day strolling tour. We have now finished each these excursions, and they’d be an excellent choice for the primary half of your day in case you are following our itinerary.
As you possibly can see there are many tour choices in your time in Kampala!
Additional Studying
That sums up our information to spending a day in Kampala. We hope you discovered it helpful! Earlier than you head off, we wished to share some hyperlinks to different content material we predict you may discover helpful in planning your journey to Uganda and the broader area.
- We have now a complete information to issues to do in Kampala, to provide you extra inspiration for what to do within the metropolis.
- We have now an in depth information to issues to do in Entebbe, that can assist you plan extra of your journey.
- We have now an in depth information to chimpanzee trekking in Uganda in addition to gorilla trekking in Uganda. These are each standard actions for guests to Uganda and properly value doing in our opinion
- We have now a information to selecting the finest safari digicam, and a information to getting higher photographs on safari, so you possibly can make sure you get nice reminiscences of your journey.
- We even have an in depth safari packing record that can assist you resolve what to deliver with you
- If you’re planning on visiting Kenya, try our information to issues to do in Nairobi and our urged 1 day Nairobi itinerary, which has a lot of concepts for town
- We have now a information to getting on-line when travelling, that can assist you keep linked in Uganda
- You’re going to wish to energy all of your units while you journey – see our information to the finest journey adapters so you possibly can select the suitable one for Uganda
- Should you’d like a journey information, contemplate the Uganda Bradt Journey Information, which is usually considered the best choice for Uganda. We’ve used the previous version and might extremely suggest this guide because it has all the things from the historical past of the nation and it’s individuals, by to packing ideas, planning recommendation and extra. It additionally consists of detailed info on chimp and gorilla trekking.
- E-book clever, we additionally pack and journey with each the Pocket Information: Birds of East Africa and the Pocket Information to the Mammals of East Africa. These are each very conveniently sized and can allow you to establish quite a lot of what you see on a go to to any east African nation.
And that’s it! As at all times, we hope you discovered this information helpful. You probably have any questions or feedback, simply pop them within the feedback part under and we’ll get again to you as quickly as we are able to.
