Kampala
Visited in September 2019
At a glance
- Country
- Uganda
- Region
- Kampala District
- Population
- 1.7 million
- Best time to go
- June to August, December to February
- Main airport
- Entebbe International (EBB)
- Coordinates
- 0.32°N, 32.66°E
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Overview
Kampala spreads across a series of green hills near the shores of Lake Victoria, each topped by a mosque, cathedral or palace. It is loud, friendly and full of energy, with boda-boda motorbikes weaving through the traffic.
The city is the heart of the old Buganda kingdom, and its royal sites sit alongside busy markets, a lively music scene and some of East Africa's best street food.
Things to see
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Photo: not not phil from SF, CA, US, CC BY-SA 2.0 Kasubi Tombs
Burial place of Buganda kings in a great thatched house, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Tusk media, CC BY-SA 4.0 Uganda National Mosque
Climb the minaret for the best panorama of Kampala's hills.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Lindaneruba, CC BY-SA 4.0 Uganda Museum
East Africa's oldest museum, with traditional instruments, ethnography and natural history.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Lebu Ayiga, CC0 Namugongo Martyrs Shrine
A striking basilica marking the place where Christian converts were killed in the 1880s.
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Photo: Alvinategyeka, CC BY-SA 4.0 Owino Market
A sprawling market of second-hand clothes, fabrics and food, best with a local guide.
Things to do
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Photo: Roxanne.heston, CC0 Eat a rolex
An omelette rolled in a chapati, made to order at roadside stalls across the city.
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Photo: Tajai, CC BY 2.0 Ngamba Island chimpanzees
Take a boat from Entebbe to a sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees on Lake Victoria.
Find tours -
Photo: Bob Owen, CC BY 2.0 Look for shoebills
Paddle through the Mabamba wetland on the lakeshore for a chance to see this prehistoric-looking bird.
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Enjoy the nightlife
Kampala's bars and clubs, especially around Kololo and Kabalagala, keep going late.
Where to stay
Kololo
Leafy and upmarket, with embassies, good restaurants and hotels.
Hotels in KololoNakasero
Central and close to business districts and the city's main sights.
Hotels in NakaseroMuyenga
Hilltop guesthouses with views, near the Kabalagala nightlife.
Hotels in MuyengaEntebbe
Quiet lakeside town near the airport, good for first and last nights.
Hotels in Entebbe
Getting around
Boda-bodas are fast but risky; ride-hailing apps offer cars and motorbikes with helmets. Traffic is heavy, so allow plenty of time.
Entebbe airport is about 40km south; the expressway takes around 45 minutes outside rush hour.
When to go
The drier months from June to August and December to February are best. Rains fall mainly from March to May and October to November.
Plan your trip to Kampala
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
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Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.