If you’re visiting Uganda, we extremely advocate spending a while in its capital metropolis Kampala. We’ve already lined in depth all our favorite issues to do in Kampala, however we admire that if you happen to don’t have time to do the whole lot, you might be questioning how greatest to spend a day in Kampala.
Properly, with that query in thoughts, we’ve got put collectively this in the future Kampala itinerary. It covers the primary highlights that we advocate seeing, which might be good for a primary time customer. It covers the main points of interest 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 advocate adjusting this to fit your personal private tempo and pursuits. For those who wish to go a bit slower and spend longer at points of interest, then in fact you may change it up.
This itinerary although ought to provide you with an incredible start line for how one can spend a day in Uganda’s capital metropolis. Let’s get began.
A 1 Day Kampala Itinerary
We’ve visited Kampala quite a few occasions and have visited the vast majority of the points of interest throughout town. Once we go to Uganda we usually attempt to have no less than a day to discover Kampala, however we’ve got 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 primary highlights that guests will take pleasure in seeing.
After this detailed 1-day itinerary, we’ll additionally share another steered itineraries based mostly round completely different themes, to provide you much more concepts to your day in Kampala. So these are every targeted particularly on these with a particular space of curiosity reminiscent of historical past, tradition, meals, artwork, wildlife, and so forth.
However first, let’s take a look at our advisable technique to spend a day in Kampala.
Cease 1: Take 3-hour strolling tour of central Kampala @ 9am
Our suggestion to your first exercise of the day could be to take a strolling tour with a educated native information. This may 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 maintaining you secure might be a good suggestion.
There are a selection of various strolling excursions obtainable of Kampala which usually final 3 to 4 hours. Sights visited will differ, however the majority of excursions will embody the primary 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 wonderful strolling tour of the highlights of central Kampala with information Arthur who is part of the ImmersionUG tour firm. It’s the high firm we are able to personally advocate for strolling excursions as we’ve got 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, this may 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 journey to a different space of town.
For those who do that then you definately is perhaps a bit pressed to do the whole lot else on this itinerary and still have lunch, however clearly it’s as much as you what your priorities are.
For those who determine to go to the mosque and nonetheless need to go to the remainder of the advocate locations within the afternoon, I’d advocate asking your information about grabbing a fast sandwich or snack for lunch on the finish of the strolling tour or take into account choosing up a few issues on the market in the course of the tour. You may also 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, reminiscent of this non-public tour which helps you to begin at 8am.
Another well-liked strolling excursions to contemplate in Kampala embody:
Cease 2: Lunch @ 12pm
At noon, after your strolling tour is completed, we advocate 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 seemingly embody a cease for lunch and the worth is commonly included as a part of the tour.
If you’re not taking a full-day tour, we advocate asking your strolling tour information for a very good lunch suggestion. One of many advantages of taking a guided tour is which you can ask your information for suggestions for different sights in addition to the place to eat lunch. That’s why once we take a strolling tour in a metropolis we’re visiting for a couple of days, we at all times attempt to do it close to the beginning of our keep so we are able to benefit from 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 desire a rolex (omelette wrapped in flatbread), plate of kikomando (chapati and fried beans), meat skewer, or a scorching 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 directly. These are typically an excellent worth. If you’re in search of some well-liked 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 may be a staple throughout East Africa), and grilled meats.
Your information will help counsel a spot for you based mostly on what you’re in search of, and also you simply need to ensure the place seems to be sanitary and the meals is served scorching. Keep away from recent veggies and salad, chilly dishes, unbottled water, undercooked objects, and so forth.
For those who favor a nicer sit down place and have a bit extra time, we advocate heading to an area resort restaurant. Most motels have eating places that serve each resort visitors and guests.
In fact you can too 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 in the course of the day if you happen to favor. Even in case you are not prepared for lunch, breaking no less than for a espresso, tea, or soda although might be good after an extended strolling tour.
Kabaka’s Palace @ 1pm
The main target of the rest of the day is on quite a few cultural sights that may enable you perceive the historical past of Uganda, from pre-colonial occasions by means of to the extra trendy age.
The primary cease we advocate 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 biggest Kingdom, and its capital was additionally Kampala. The Buganda monarchy dates again over 800 years and remains to be alive and nicely in the present day.
Historically, the Kabaka has had his palace on high of one of many many hills of Kampala. Right this moment’s palace, often called Lubiri or Mengo palace, isn’t any completely different. It’s discovered on high of Mengo Hill, the place the palace has been located because the mid nineteenth century. Nevertheless, the constructing was extensively broken in the course of the 1966 civil struggle, 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.
And not using a Royal individual to maintain secure from prying eyes, the palace grounds are actually 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 primary gate, pay an entry payment, and a information will present you round.
Your tour will usually embody a very good oral historical past of the palace and its grounds, in addition to the primary 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 folks imprisoned and murdered right here throughout his regime. This darkish interval of historical past and the unfavorable affiliation is the primary 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 wonderful, and we learnt so much about Uganda’s historical past, together with latest and extra distant historical past. We additionally loved studying about conventional bark fabric making and a number of the native video games that locals wish to play.
A tour will usually final round an hour and we expect is a superb technique to be taught extra concerning the historical past of Uganda. You additionally get a very good 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 few the Buganda Kings.
Historically, the Kabaka, or King of Buganda, would select a novel location for his or her burial. So the Kasubi tombs are uncommon as a result of they’re house to 4 Kabaka’s, in addition to quite a few their descendants. The tombs date from 1882, with the primary burial in 1884, and the newest in 1971.
There are a selection of buildings on the positioning, with the massive essential round constructing being the primary attraction. This 102ft extensive, 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 dimension and conventional building strategies led to it being listed as a UNESCO world heritage website in 2001.
In addition to the primary central constructing, there are a variety of different buildings on the positioning which might be seen whenever you go to. These embody the Royal drum home, in addition to the properties for the Kabaka’s widows and relations. Historically these relations would dwell on website to have a tendency the graves.
Tragedy befell the positioning in 2010 when an enormous fireplace triggered an excessive amount of destruction, however following intensive reconstruction efforts utilizing conventional supplies, the positioning is as soon as once more open for guests. There’s a payment to go to, which incorporates a wonderful tour of the grounds. Anticipate to spend round an hour to 90 minutes right here.
We loved our go to to the Kasubi tombs, though they have been nonetheless present process renovations once we final visited. These have now been accomplished. Our tour included all the primary sights, and our information was additionally excellent, actually bringing to life the whole lot 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 advocate 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 be taught all about Uganda’s cultural heritage and historical past.
There are a selection of reveals on show, which cowl the whole lot from conventional musical devices to artwork, drugs, clothes, fossils and far way more. You may principally be taught all concerning the historical past of the area from pre-history to the current day.
Considered one of our favourite components of the museum is the surface space, the place you’ll discover quite a few completely different conventional buildings. These signify a number of the completely different tribes and time durations of Uganda throughout the years, and every constructing additionally comprises quite a few traditionally correct reveals.
This isn’t a large museum, so even if you happen to don’t have a variety 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 positively someplace you may go to on a self-guided foundation as there’s loads of data obtainable in English.
Break @ 5:30pm
At this level within the day, you’ve carried out so much and we’re going to advocate 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.
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 advocate, if attainable, 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 a couple of occasions every week and have been certainly one of our highlights of our final go to to Kampala.
The efficiency takes place outdoors below an enormous mango tree, and showcases the very best 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 attainable to have dinner as a part of the present for an additional payment, with quite a few conventional dishes included. We are able to advocate doing this because it offers you a very good alternative to strive some native meals and never have to fret about discovering dinner.
We arrived somewhat early for our present so we might discover the grounds somewhat bit and take a look at the artwork on show. We then sat down to observe the present because the daylight pale into evening, and actually loved the power and enthusiasm of the performers.
This was a extremely enjoyable expertise and certainly one of our favorite issues to do in Kampala. We are able to extremely advocate it!
Various 1 Day Kampala Itinerary Choices
For those who’d like some extra inspiration for spending a day in Kampala, we’ve got some solutions for you. We’ve put collectively some further choices themed round some particular classes like historical past, meals, tradition and so forth.
Be happy to combine and match throughout the points of interest to provide you with your individual good 1-day itinerary. We’d counsel that planning to go to 3 or 4 points of interest in a day would make sense for many guests, though do notice that actions situated outdoors town just like the Mabamba Swamp tour or Entebbe Zoo are going to take up extra time. You may also learn our information to issues to do in Kampala for extra concepts and knowledge on all of the websites we advocate.
By way of planning a day like this, you may both do the whole lot your self, or you may attain out to a tour operator who can put collectively a personal customized tour based mostly in your pursuits, reminiscent of this one. They need to deal with all of your transportation and in addition be sure that your sightseeing targets are achievable within the time you may have.
Historical past Itinerary
Kampala has lots to supply those that are inquisitive about studying concerning the historical past of town and Uganda basically. We’d counsel an itinerary that appears one thing like the next:
- Morning: Metropolis tour reminiscent of this one
- Afternoon: Uganda Museum, Kabaka’s Palace, and Kasubi Tombs
It’s additionally attainable to guide a tour which incorporates these sights in addition to quite a few others, reminiscent of this full day tour.
Meals Targeted Itinerary
For those who’d wish to be taught extra concerning 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 a number of the many conventional dishes of town. A day would possibly look as follows:
Arts and Tradition Itinerary
There’s no scarcity of artwork and cultural points of interest to take pleasure in in Kampala. Right here’s an concept for a day targeted on exploring the inventive and cultural points of interest within the metropolis.
Spiritual / Non secular Itinerary
Uganda has a wealthy religious life, with quite a few religions being practiced within the nation. These embody Christianity and Islam, in addition to Judaism, Hinduism, Baha’i, and conventional beliefs and practices.
Through the years, and significantly with the arrival of colonists, spiritual practices shifted dramatically in Uganda. As is commonly the way in which, this was not a frictionless course of, with quite a few lives misplaced within the course of. In consequence, there are an incredible many sights of non secular significance in addition to locations of worship throughout Kampala and the encompassing area. It is perhaps difficult to suit the whole lot 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
Nearly all of these sights are visited as a part of this spiritual tour of Kampala. This can be a comparable 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 outdoors of town in Namugongo, however you may can take a taxi or be part of a tour to succeed in it.
Additionally value mentioning is the very fascinating 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 significantly within the story of how Christianity got here to Uganda, a go to to the Kasingi touchdown website close to Entebbe may be of curiosity. Simply notice that it’s fairly an effort to get right here and is greatest when you’ve got a driver and you might must undergo a safety verify as it’s situated close to the airport.
Markets/ Buying targeted itinerary:
Kampala has numerous good markets to discover, from markets which concentrate on arts and crafts by means 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 the vast majority of these markets, in addition to quite a few different points of interest within the metropolis. There’s additionally a half-day tour which additionally covers the primary markets within the metropolis.
If you’re additionally heading to Entebbe, we’d additionally advocate 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 lined market that focuses extra on produce, meat, and on a regular basis objects.
Wildlife based mostly itinerary
Many individuals visiting Uganda are right here for the unbelievable 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 variety of different wildlife experiences which you can 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 steered day, adopted by some extra concepts for wildlife targeted actions round Kampala. Observe that whereas you are able to do city birding in Kampala, most different wildlife actions and points of interest are situated in or round Entebbe. However these are nonetheless straightforward 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). For those who 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 a substitute. That is on Lake Victoria and is house to quite a few rescued chimpanzees.
For those who take pleasure in birds, you may see numerous birds in Kampala with out leaving town, particularly within the mornings. The truth is there are over 300 species you would see in Kampala! We noticed a quantity on electrical wires and poles, in our motels’ gardens, at well-liked points of interest (Kabaka’s Palace, Kasubi Tombs, Uganda Martyrs Shrine, Baha’i Temple) and round golf programs.
So you’ll seemingly spot a number of hen species by simply going to well-liked locations if you happen to maintain your eyes open. However it may be difficult to do birdwatching in a big and congested metropolis, so simply watch out.
Kampala Native Life Itinerary
For those who’d wish to be taught extra about life in Kampala, then we’d advocate taking a tour or two with a Kampala native. They’ll be capable of 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 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 have got a couple of completely different choices for getting round Kampala, together with doing the whole lot your self utilizing journey shares, taxis or buses. Nevertheless, for a extra seamless expertise, we expect most guests are going to seek out it simpler to rearrange some type of transport.
We’ve carried out 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 may have a tour firm, then they are going to seemingly be capable of 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 concerning the visitors, parking, and the route, and you may 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 obtainable. When evaluating excursions, at all times verify what’s and isn’t included. For instance, some excursions embody entry charges, transport, meals and water, while others could not. It’s additionally vital to verify any refund or cancellation insurance policies earlier than reserving.
Once we journey, we almost 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 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 here are quite a few tour choices we propose which can supply a very good expertise to your day in Kampala. Observe 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 help you 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 spiritual websites in and round Kampala, together with the Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine, the main 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 carried out each these excursions, and they’d be a very good choice 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 provide 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 well-liked actions for guests to Uganda and nicely value doing in our opinion
- We’ve a information to selecting the greatest safari digital camera, and a information to getting higher images on safari, so you may make sure you get nice recollections of your journey.
- We even have an in depth safari packing record that will help you determine what to deliver with you
- If you’re planning on visiting Kenya, take a look at our information to issues to do in Nairobi and our steered 1 day Nairobi itinerary, which has numerous concepts for town
- We’ve a information to getting on-line when travelling, that will help you keep related in Uganda
- You’re going to want to energy all of your gadgets whenever you journey – see our information to the greatest journey adapters so you may select the best one for Uganda
- For those who’d like a journey information, take into account the Uganda Bradt Journey Information, which is mostly thought to be the most suitable choice for Uganda. We’ve used the previous version and may extremely advocate this guide because it has the whole lot from the historical past of the nation and it’s folks, by means of to packing ideas, planning recommendation and extra. It additionally consists of detailed data 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 a variety 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. In case you 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.
