1 Day in Kampala Itinerary

If you’re 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 for those who don’t have time to do every part, chances are you’ll be questioning how greatest to spend a day in Kampala.

Nicely, with that query in thoughts, we now have put collectively this sooner or later 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 the majority guests are more likely to wish to see, and is doable in a busy day of sightseeing with some cautious planning.

After all, as with all of our itineraries, we suggest adjusting this to fit your personal private tempo and pursuits. For those who wish to go a bit slower and spend longer at sights, then in fact you may change it up.

This itinerary although ought to offer you an ideal place to begin for learn how to spend a day in Uganda’s capital metropolis. Let’s get began.

A 1 Day Kampala Itinerary

We’ve got visited Kampala various occasions and have visited the vast majority of the sights throughout town. After we go to Uganda we usually attempt to have a minimum of 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.

Based mostly 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 prompt itineraries based mostly round completely different themes, to present you much more concepts in your day in Kampala. So these are every targeted particularly on these with a selected space of curiosity similar to historical past, tradition, meals, artwork, wildlife, and many others.

However first, let’s take a look at our really useful strategy to spend a day in Kampala.

Cease 1: Take 3-hour strolling tour of central Kampala @ 9am

Our suggestion in your first exercise of the day can be to take a strolling tour with a educated native information. It will assist offer you 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 could be a good suggestion.

There are a variety of various strolling excursions accessible of Kampala which typically final 3 to 4 hours. Sights visited will range, however the majority of excursions will embody the principle highlights of central Kampala. So which 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 suggest for strolling excursions as we now have taken a number of strolling and meals excursions from them throughout our visits to Uganda. You possibly can 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 lengthen the tour time by round an hour. It’s additionally in a special a part of town to that which most foot excursions deal with, so usually requires both a boda-boda or taxi journey to a different space of town.

For those who do that then you definately may be a bit pressed to do every part 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 wish 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 think about selecting up a few issues on the market in the course of the tour. You can even come ready with some snacks and fruit in your day bag to eat throughout your day.

An alternative choice can be to e book a strolling tour which has an earlier begin time, similar to this non-public tour which helps you to begin at 8am.

Another standard strolling excursions to contemplate 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 worth 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 a very good lunch suggestion. One of many advantages of taking a guided tour is that 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 a number of days, we at all times 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 for those who simply need a rolex (omelette wrapped in flatbread), plate of kikomando (chapati and fried beans), meat skewer, or a sizzling sandwich/wrap (typically a chapati wrap with filling). These are fast, low cost, and filling.

There are additionally buffet fashion lunch spots the place you may sit down and check out a number of dishes without delay. These are usually an excellent worth. If you’re on the lookout for some standard native meals to strive aside from a rolex, we’d recommend 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 will help recommend a spot for you based mostly on what you’re on the lookout for, and also you simply wish to ensure the place appears to be like sanitary and the meals is served sizzling. Keep away from recent veggies and salad, chilly dishes, unbottled water, undercooked objects, and many others.

For those who want 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.

After all 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 in the course of the day for those who want. Even if you’re not prepared for lunch, breaking a minimum of for a espresso, tea, or soda although could be good after an extended strolling tour.

Kabaka’s Palace @ 1pm

The main target of the rest of the day is on various cultural sights that may provide help to perceive the historical past of Uganda, from pre-colonial occasions by means of to the extra fashionable 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 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 effectively right this moment.

Historically, the Kabaka has had his palace on high of one of many many hills of Kampala. At the moment’s palace, often known as Lubiri or Mengo palace, is not any completely different. It’s discovered on high of Mengo Hill, the place the palace has been located for the reason that mid nineteenth century. Nonetheless, the constructing was extensively broken in the course of the 1966 civil battle, 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.

And not using a 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 easy to rearrange, simply go to the principle gate, pay an entry price, 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 principle occasions that formed what you see right this moment. 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 unfavourable affiliation is the principle motive 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 a few of the native video games that locals wish to play.

A tour will typically final round an hour and we predict is a superb strategy to be taught extra in regards to 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 various 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 various their descendants. The tombs date from 1882, with the primary burial in 1884, and the newest in 1971.

There are a variety of constructions on the location, with the large fundamental 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 fashion. It’s distinctive dimension and conventional development strategies led to it being listed as a UNESCO world heritage website in 2001.

In addition to the principle central constructing, there are a variety of different buildings on the location which could be seen once you go to. These embody the Royal drum home, in addition to the houses for the Kabaka’s widows and members of the family. Historically these members of the family would stay on website to have a tendency the graves.

Tragedy befell the location in 2010 when an enormous fireplace induced 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 price 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 superb, actually bringing to life every part that we noticed.

Uganda Nationwide Museum @ 4pm

After visiting the Kasubi Tombs, for those who 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 be taught all about Uganda’s cultural heritage and historical past.

There are a variety of displays on show, which cowl every part from conventional musical devices to artwork, drugs, clothes, fossils and far far more. You possibly can mainly be taught all in regards to the historical past of the area from pre-history to the current day.

Considered one of our favourite components of the museum is the skin space, the place you’ll discover various completely different conventional buildings. These characterize a few of the completely different tribes and time intervals of Uganda throughout the years, and every constructing additionally incorporates various traditionally correct displays.

This isn’t a large museum, so even for those who 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 price to go to and it’s undoubtedly someplace you may go to on a self-guided foundation as there’s loads of data accessible in English.

Break @ 5:30pm

At this level within the day, you’ve carried out quite a bit and we’re going to suggest taking a break, possible heading again to your resort if you’re 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 Middle @ 7pm

We’d 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 a number of occasions per week and had been one in all our highlights of our final go to to Kampala.

The efficiency takes place outdoors below an enormous mango tree, and showcases the most effective of Uganda tradition throughout the assorted tribes who make up the land. A wonderful compere introduces every efficiency to present you context and understanding of what you’re seeing, and actually helps deliver the expertise to the following stage.

It’s additionally potential to have dinner as a part of the present for an additional price, with various conventional dishes included. We will suggest doing this because it will provide you with a very good alternative to strive some native meals and never have to fret about discovering dinner.

We arrived just a little early for our present so we might discover the grounds just a little 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 very enjoyable expertise and one in all our favorite issues to do in Kampala. We will extremely suggest it!

Various 1 Day Kampala Itinerary Choices

For those who’d like some extra inspiration for spending a day in Kampala, we now have some ideas for you. We’ve put collectively some extra 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 recommend that planning to go to 3 or 4 sights in a day would make sense for many guests, though do notice that actions positioned outdoors town just like the Mabamba Swamp tour or Entebbe Zoo are going to take up extra time. You can even learn our information to issues to do in Kampala for extra concepts and knowledge on all of the websites we suggest.

By way of planning a day like this, you may both do every part your self, or you may attain out to a tour operator who can put collectively a personal customized tour based mostly in your pursuits, similar to this one. They need to deal with all of your transportation and likewise be sure that your sightseeing objectives are achievable within the time you could have.

Historical past Itinerary

Kampala has lots to supply those that are fascinated with studying in regards to the historical past of town and Uganda typically. We’d recommend an itinerary that appears one thing like the next:

• Morning: Metropolis tour similar to this one
• Afternoon: Uganda Museum, Kabaka’s Palace, and Kasubi Tombs

It’s additionally potential to e book a tour which incorporates these sights in addition to various others, similar to this full day tour.

Meals Targeted Itinerary

For those who’d wish to be taught 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 a few 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 sights to take pleasure in in Kampala. Right here’s an concept for a day targeted on exploring the creative and cultural sights within the metropolis.

Spiritual / Religious Itinerary

Uganda has a wealthy religious life, with various 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 notably 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 various lives misplaced within the course of. In consequence, there are an ideal many sights of non secular significance in addition to locations of worship throughout Kampala and the encircling area. It may be difficult to suit every part into sooner or later given how a lot there may be to see, however an concept 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

The vast majority of these sights are visited as a part of this spiritual 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 positioned a 30 minute drive outdoors of town in Namugongo, however you may can take a taxi or be a part of a tour to succeed in it.

Additionally price mentioning is the very attention-grabbing 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 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 chances are you’ll must undergo a safety verify as it’s positioned close to the airport.

Markets/ Buying targeted itinerary:

Kampala has a lot of good markets to discover, from markets which deal with arts and crafts by means of 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 various different sights within the metropolis. There may be 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 may be 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 that 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 prompt 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

An alternative choice can 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 various rescued chimpanzees.

For those who take pleasure in birds, you may 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 resorts’ 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 chook species by simply going to standard locations for those who preserve 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 suggest 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 possibly can 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 a number of completely different choices for getting round Kampala, together with doing every part your self utilizing journey shares, taxis or buses. Nonetheless, for a extra seamless expertise, we predict most guests are going to seek out it simpler to rearrange some form of transport.

We’ve got carried out each, and having a driver for the day was undoubtedly simpler. If you’re visiting Uganda as a part of an extended journey the place you could have a tour firm, then they may possible be capable of embody a while in Kampala as a part of your journey. Simply allow them to know the place you wish to go and what you wish to see.

An alternative choice is simply to rent a personal driver for the day. They’ll fear in regards to the visitors, parking, and the route, and you may take pleasure in your self with sightseeing.

Lastly, you may e book a tour that covers the sights you wish to see. There are each non-public and group excursions accessible. 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 might not. It’s additionally necessary to verify any refund or cancellation insurance policies earlier than reserving.

After we journey, we practically at all times e book our excursions upfront 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 permits for flexibility if our journey plans unexpectedly change.

Listed here are various tour choices we propose which can supply a very good expertise in your day in Kampala. Be aware that if a personal tour doesn’t go to all of the sights you wish to see, you might be able to attain out to the operator for a customized itinerary.

• This non-public customized tour information service will assist you to specify precisely what you wish 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 spiritual 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’ve got carried out each these excursions, and they’d be a very good choice for the primary half of your day if you’re following our itinerary.

As you may 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 needed to share some hyperlinks to different content material we predict you would possibly discover helpful in planning your journey to Uganda and the broader area.

• We’ve got a complete information to issues to do in Kampala, to present you extra inspiration for what to do within the metropolis.
• We’ve got an in depth information to issues to do in Entebbe, that can assist you plan extra of your journey.
• We’ve got 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 effectively price doing in our opinion
• We’ve got a information to selecting the greatest safari digicam, 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 can assist 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 prompt 1 day Nairobi itinerary, which has a lot of concepts for town
• We’ve got a information to getting on-line when travelling, that can assist you keep related in Uganda
• You’re going to wish to energy all of your gadgets once you journey – see our information to the greatest journey adapters so you may select the precise one for Uganda
• For those who’d like a journey information, think about the Uganda Bradt Journey Information, which is usually considered the best choice for Uganda. We’ve used the previous version and may extremely suggest this e book because it has every part from the historical past of the nation and it’s folks, by means of to packing suggestions, planning recommendation and extra. It additionally consists of detailed data on chimp and gorilla trekking.
• Guide sensible, 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 determine 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. In case you have 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.