In case you are visiting Uganda, we extremely suggest spending a while in its capital metropolis Kampala. We’ve already lined in depth all our favorite issues to do in Kampala, however we recognize that if you happen to don’t have time to do all the things, you could be questioning how greatest to spend a day in Kampala.
Nicely, 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 foremost sights that the majority 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 every of our itineraries, we suggest adjusting this to fit your personal private tempo and pursuits. If you happen to prefer to go a bit slower and spend longer at sights, then in fact you may change it up.
This itinerary although ought to provide you with an important start line for the best way to spend a day in Uganda’s capital metropolis. Let’s get began.
A 1 Day Kampala Itinerary
We’ve visited Kampala quite a lot of instances and have visited nearly all of the sights throughout the town. After we go to Uganda we usually attempt to have not 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 expect 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 offer you much more concepts to your day in Kampala. So these are every targeted particularly on these with a particular space of curiosity akin to historical past, tradition, meals, artwork, wildlife, and so forth.
However first, let’s take a look at our advisable solution to spend a day in Kampala.
Cease 1: Take 3-hour strolling tour of central Kampala @ 9am
Our advice to your first exercise of the day can be to take a strolling tour with a educated native information. This can assist provide you with a good suggestion of the historical past of Kampala, find out about cultural practices, and be capable of ask questions to assist information the remainder of your time within the metropolis.
Central Kampala is usually 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 retaining you protected may be a good suggestion.
There are a selection of various strolling excursions accessible of Kampala which typically final 3 to 4 hours. Sights visited will differ, however the majority of excursions will embrace the principle highlights of central Kampala. So which may embrace 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 wonderful 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 possibility 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 the town to that which most foot excursions concentrate on, so usually requires both a boda-boda or taxi journey to a different space of the town.
If you happen to do that you then is likely to be a bit pressed to do all the things else on this itinerary and now have lunch, however clearly it’s as much as you what your priorities are.
If you happen to determine 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 selecting up a few issues on the market through the tour. You too can come ready with some snacks and fruit in your day bag to eat throughout your day.
Another choice can be to guide a strolling tour which has an earlier begin time, akin to this non-public tour which helps you to begin at 8am.
Another standard strolling excursions to contemplate in Kampala embrace:
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.
In case you are taking a full day tour, your tour will seemingly embrace a cease for lunch and the worth is usually included as a part of the tour.
In case you are not taking a full-day tour, we suggest asking your strolling tour information for a great lunch advice. One of many advantages of taking a guided tour is which 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 all the time attempt to do it close to the beginning of our keep so we are able to make the most of the guides suggestions for our remaining days.
There are many fast road meals stalls and carts that cater to locals if you happen to 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 model lunch spots the place you may sit down and check out a number of dishes without delay. These are typically an excellent worth. In case you are searching for some standard native meals to strive apart from a rolex, we might counsel kikomando (fried beans and chapati), matoke or matooke (boiled and mashed inexperienced bananas), luwombo (a stew cooked in banana leaves that may embrace 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 will help counsel a spot for you primarily based on what you’re searching for, and also you simply need to make certain the place seems sanitary and the meals is served sizzling. Keep away from contemporary veggies and salad, chilly dishes, unbottled water, undercooked gadgets, and so forth.
If you happen to choose a nicer sit down place and have a bit extra time, we suggest heading to a neighborhood resort restaurant. Most resorts have eating places that serve each resort visitors 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 so forth.) and having it as you go through the day if you happen to choose. Even in case you are not prepared for lunch, breaking not less than for a espresso, tea, or soda although may be good after an extended strolling tour.
Kabaka’s Palace @ 1pm
The main target of the rest of the day is on quite a lot of cultural sights that can enable you perceive the historical past of Uganda, from pre-colonial instances by way of to the extra fashionable age.
The primary cease we suggest to your afternoon is the Kabaka’s Palace. The Kabaka is the King of the Kingdom of Buganda, which is without doubt 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 nicely at the moment.
Historically, the Kabaka has had his palace on prime of one of many many hills of Kampala. At present’s palace, generally known as Lubiri or Mengo palace, isn’t any totally different. It’s discovered on prime of Mengo Hill, the place the palace has been located because the mid nineteenth century. Nonetheless, the constructing was extensively broken through the 1966 civil warfare, following which it was utilized by Idi Amin throughout his oppressive regime. The palace is now not occupied by the Kabaka, who solely visits for ceremonial causes.
With out a Royal individual to maintain protected 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 easy to rearrange, simply go to the principle gate, pay an entry payment, and a information will present you round.
Your tour will usually embrace a great oral historical past of the palace and its grounds, in addition to the principle occasions that formed what you see at the moment. 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 damaging affiliation is the principle cause that the palace and its grounds are now not occupied by the Kabaka.
We actually loved our tour of Kabaka’s Palace and grounds. The tour information was wonderful, and we learnt quite a bit about Uganda’s historical past, together with latest and extra distant historical past. We additionally loved studying about conventional bark material making and among the native video games that locals prefer to play.
A tour will typically final round an hour and we expect is a wonderful solution to study extra in regards to the historical past of Uganda. You additionally get a great view of Kampala from Mengo Hill.
Kasubi Tombs @ 2:45pm
Simply 10 minutes drive (relying on visitors!) from Kabaka’s Palace are the Kasubi Tombs. These are additionally associated to the Royal household, being the ultimate resting place of quite a lot 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 quite a lot of their descendants. The tombs date from 1882, with the primary burial in 1884, and the newest in 1971.
There are a selection of constructions on the location, with the large most important round constructing being the principle attraction. This 102ft broad, 25ft excessive constructing is the place the tombs of the 4 kings are literally discovered. The large constructing is primarily constructed from pure supplies within the conventional model. It’s distinctive measurement and conventional building strategies led to it being listed as a UNESCO world heritage website in 2001.
In addition to the principle central constructing, there are a selection of different buildings on the location which may be seen whenever you go to. These embrace the Royal drum home, in addition to the houses for the Kabaka’s widows and relations. Historically these relations would dwell on website to have a tendency the graves.
Tragedy befell the location in 2010 when an enormous fireplace triggered an excessive 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 payment to go to, which incorporates a wonderful 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 superb, actually bringing to life all the things that we noticed.
Uganda Nationwide Museum @ 4pm
After visiting the Kasubi Tombs, if you happen to 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 come back to study all about Uganda’s cultural heritage and historical past.
There are a selection of displays on show, which cowl all the things from conventional musical devices to artwork, medication, clothes, fossils and far rather more. You may principally study all in regards to the historical past of the area from pre-history to the current day.
One in every of our favourite components of the museum is the skin space, the place you’ll discover quite a lot of totally different conventional buildings. These symbolize among the totally different tribes and time durations of Uganda throughout the years, and every constructing additionally comprises quite a lot of traditionally correct displays.
This isn’t an enormous museum, so even if you happen to don’t have quite a lot of time left in your schedule we expect you’ll nonetheless take pleasure in a go to. There’s a payment to go to and it’s undoubtedly someplace you may 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 executed quite a bit and we’re going to suggest taking a break, seemingly 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.
In case you are 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 Middle @ 7pm
We might suggest, if potential, planning your go to to Kampala so the night co-incides with one of many cultural performances on the Ndere Cultural Middle. These performances run just a few instances every week and had been certainly one of our highlights of our final go to to Kampala.
The efficiency takes place outdoors beneath an enormous mango tree, and showcases one of the best of Uganda tradition throughout the varied tribes who make up the land. A wonderful compere introduces every efficiency to offer you context and understanding of what you’re seeing, and actually helps deliver the expertise to the following degree.
It’s additionally potential to have dinner as a part of the present for an additional payment, with quite a lot of conventional dishes included. We will suggest doing this because it gives you a great alternative to strive some native meals and never have to fret about discovering dinner.
We arrived a little bit early for our present so we might discover the grounds a little bit bit and take a look at the artwork on show. We then sat down to observe the present because the daylight pale into night time, and actually loved the power and enthusiasm of the performers.
This was a very enjoyable expertise and certainly one of our favorite issues to do in Kampala. We will extremely suggest it!
Various 1 Day Kampala Itinerary Choices
If you happen to’d like some extra inspiration for spending a day in Kampala, we now have some solutions for you. We’ve put collectively some extra choices themed round some particular classes like historical past, meals, tradition and so forth.
Be happy to combine and match throughout the sights to give you your personal 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 be aware that actions positioned outdoors the town just like the Mabamba Swamp tour or Entebbe Zoo are going to take up extra time. You too can learn our information to issues to do in Kampala for extra concepts and data on all of the websites we suggest.
By way of planning a day like this, you may both do all the things your self, or you may attain out to a tour operator who can put collectively a personal customized tour primarily based in your pursuits, akin to this one. They need to deal with all of your transportation and likewise be certain that your sightseeing objectives are achievable within the time you’ve got.
Historical past Itinerary
Kampala has lots to supply those that are serious about studying in regards to the historical past of the town and Uganda basically. We’d counsel an itinerary that appears one thing like the next:
- Morning: Metropolis tour akin to this one
- Afternoon: Uganda Museum, Kabaka’s Palace, and Kasubi Tombs
It’s additionally potential to guide a tour which incorporates these sights in addition to quite a lot of others, akin to this full day tour.
Meals Targeted Itinerary
If you happen to’d prefer to study extra in regards to the meals of Kampala, then you may put collectively a day which focuses on exploring native markets, studying about native meals and dishes, and consuming among the many conventional dishes of the town. A day would possibly 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 thought for a day targeted on exploring the creative and cultural sights within the metropolis.
Spiritual / Religious Itinerary
Uganda has a wealthy religious life, with quite a lot of religions being practiced within the nation. These embrace Christianity and Islam, in addition to Judaism, Hinduism, Baha’i, and conventional beliefs and practices.
Through the years, and notably with the arrival of colonists, non secular practices shifted dramatically in Uganda. As is usually the way in which, this was not a frictionless course of, with quite a lot of lives misplaced within the course of. Because of this, there are an important many sights of spiritual significance in addition to locations of worship throughout Kampala and the encircling area. It is likely to be difficult to suit all the things into in the future given how a lot there may be to see, however an thought can 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
Nearly all of these sights are visited as a part of this non secular tour of Kampala. It is a related tour.
In case you are visiting Uganda as a Catholic pilgrim, the Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine and Basilica might be a must-see. It’s positioned a 30 minute drive outdoors of the town in Namugongo, however you may can take a taxi or be a part of a tour to achieve it.
Additionally price mentioning is the very fascinating Shree Sanatan Dharma Mandal Hindi temple. It’s positioned in central Kampala and is usually 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 website close to Entebbe may additionally be of curiosity. Simply be aware that it’s fairly an effort to get right here and is greatest you probably have a driver and you could must undergo a safety verify as it’s positioned close to the airport.
Markets/ Buying targeted itinerary:
Kampala has numerous good markets to discover, from markets which concentrate on arts and crafts by way of to extra conventional meals markets serving the wants of the native inhabitants. You would 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 nearly all of these markets, in addition to quite a lot of different sights within the metropolis. There may be additionally a half-day tour which additionally covers the principle markets within the metropolis.
In case you are additionally heading to Entebbe, we might 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 may be additionally the Kitooro Market in Entebbe, a lined market that focuses extra on produce, meat, and on a regular basis gadgets.
Wildlife primarily based itinerary
Many individuals visiting Uganda are right here for the unbelievable wildlife alternatives, with chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking being excessive on the checklist 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 which you could have in and round Kampala. A few of these experiences are a bit longer, so will take up many of the day.
Right here’s a urged day, adopted by some extra concepts for wildlife targeted actions round Kampala. Be aware that whereas you are able to do city birding in Kampala, most different wildlife actions and sights are positioned 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
Another choice can be to go to the Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary (tour like this). If you happen to don’t have the time to do a visit out to the areas of Uganda the place chimpanzee trekking is feasible, then you may go to Ngamba island as an alternative. That is on Lake Victoria and is residence to quite a lot of rescued chimpanzees.
If you happen to take pleasure in birds, you may see numerous birds in Kampala with out leaving the town, particularly within the mornings. In actual fact there are over 300 species you may see in Kampala! We noticed a quantity on electrical wires and poles, in our resorts’ gardens, at standard sights (Kabaka’s Palace, Kasubi Tombs, Uganda Martyrs Shrine, Baha’i Temple) and round golf programs.
So you’ll seemingly spot a number of chook species by simply going to standard locations if you happen to 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
If you happen to’d prefer to study extra about life in Kampala, then we’d suggest taking a tour or two with a Kampala native. They’ll be capable of take you to locations you most likely 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 would possibly look as follows:
As you may see, there are myriad methods to fill a day (or extra!) in Kampala.
Reserving your Day Tour in Kampala
You’ve gotten just a few totally different choices for getting round Kampala, together with doing all the things your self utilizing journey shares, taxis or buses. Nonetheless, for a extra seamless expertise, we expect most guests are going to seek out it simpler to rearrange some type of transport.
We’ve executed each, and having a driver for the day was undoubtedly simpler. In case you are visiting Uganda as a part of an extended journey the place you’ve got a tour firm, then they’ll seemingly be capable of embrace 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.
Another choice is simply to rent a personal driver for the day. They will fear in regards to the visitors, parking, and the route, and you’ll take pleasure in your self with sightseeing.
Lastly, you may guide a tour that covers the sights you need to see. There are each non-public and group excursions accessible. When evaluating excursions, all the time verify what’s and isn’t included. For instance, some excursions embrace entry charges, transport, meals and water, while others could not. It’s additionally essential to verify any refund or cancellation insurance policies earlier than reserving.
After we journey, we practically all the time 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 may cancel a tour as much as 24 hours earlier than it begins and obtain a full refund. This enables for flexibility if our journey plans unexpectedly change.
Listed below are quite a lot of tour choices we recommend which can supply a great expertise to your day in Kampala. Be aware that if a personal tour doesn’t go to all of the sights you need to see, you might be able to attain out to the operator for a customized itinerary.
- This non-public customized tour information service will mean you can specify precisely what you need to do and see together 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 foremost 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’ve executed each these excursions, and they might be a great possibility for the primary half of your day in case you are following our itinerary.
As you may see there are many tour choices to 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 needed to share some hyperlinks to different content material we expect you would possibly discover helpful in planning your journey to Uganda and the broader area.
- We’ve a complete information to issues to do in Kampala, to offer you extra inspiration for what to do within the metropolis.
- We’ve an in depth information to issues to do in Entebbe, that will help you plan extra of your journey.
- We’ve 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 nicely price doing in our opinion
- We’ve a information to picking the greatest safari digital camera, and a information to getting higher photographs on safari, so you may make sure you get nice recollections of your journey.
- We even have an in depth safari packing checklist that will help you determine what to deliver with you
- In case you are planning on visiting Kenya, try our information to issues to do in Nairobi and our urged 1 day Nairobi itinerary, which has numerous concepts for the town
- We’ve a information to getting on-line when travelling, that will help you keep related in Uganda
- You’re going to wish to energy all of your gadgets whenever you journey – see our information to the greatest journey adapters so you may select the fitting one for Uganda
- If you happen to’d like a journey information, contemplate the Uganda Bradt Journey Information, which is mostly thought to be 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 way of 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 all the time, we hope you discovered this information helpful. When you’ve got any questions or feedback, simply pop them within the feedback part beneath and we’ll get again to you as quickly as we are able to.
