1 Day in Kampala Itinerary

In case you are visiting Uganda, we extremely suggest spending a while in its capital metropolis Kampala. We’ve already coated in depth all our favorite things to do in Kampala, however we recognize that in case you don’t have time to do the whole lot, it’s possible you’ll be questioning how finest to spend a day in Kampala.

Nicely, with that query in thoughts, we have now 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 key 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 prefer to go a bit slower and spend longer at sights, then in fact you’ll be able to change it up.

This itinerary although ought to offer you a terrific place to begin for methods to spend a day in Uganda’s capital metropolis. Let’s get began.

 

A 1 Day Kampala Itinerary

We have now visited Kampala numerous occasions and have visited the vast majority of the sights throughout town. Once we go to Uganda we usually attempt to have at the very least a day to discover Kampala, however we have now 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 get pleasure from seeing.

After this detailed 1-day itinerary, we’ll additionally share another steered itineraries based mostly round completely different themes, to present you much more concepts on your day in Kampala. So these are every targeted particularly on these with a particular space of curiosity resembling historical past, tradition, meals, artwork, wildlife, and many others.

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

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

Our suggestion on your first exercise of the day could be to take a strolling tour with a educated native information. This may assist offer you a good suggestion of the historical past of Kampala, study cultural practices, and be capable of ask questions to assist information the remainder of your time within the metropolis.

Central Kampala generally is 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 preserving you protected could be a good suggestion.

There are a variety of various strolling excursions obtainable of Kampala which usually final 3 to 4 hours. Sights visited will range, 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 excellent walking tour of the highlights of central Kampala with information Arthur who is part of the ImmersionUG tour firm. It’s the prime firm we will personally suggest for strolling excursions as we have now taken a number of strolling and meals excursions from them throughout our visits to Uganda. You possibly can see all their tours 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, this may usually lengthen the tour time by round an hour. It’s additionally in a unique a part of town to that which most foot excursions give attention to, so usually requires both a boda-boda or taxi trip to a different space of town.

Should you do that then you definitely 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.

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 selecting up a few issues on the market throughout the tour. You too can come ready with some snacks and fruit in your day bag to eat throughout your day.

An alternative choice could be to e book a strolling tour which has an earlier begin time, resembling this private tour which helps you to begin at 8am.

Another in style 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.

In case you are taking a full day tour, your tour will probably embody a cease for lunch and the value is commonly 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 an excellent lunch suggestion. 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 will reap the benefits of the guides suggestions for our remaining days.

There are many fast road meals stalls and carts that cater to locals in case 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 model lunch spots the place you’ll be able to sit down and check out a number of dishes directly. These are usually an excellent worth. In case you are searching for some in style native meals to strive apart from a rolex, we might 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 may be a staple throughout East Africa), and grilled meats.

Your information can assist recommend a spot for you based mostly on what you’re searching for, and also you simply need to be certain that the place seems to be sanitary and the meals is served sizzling. Keep away from contemporary veggies and salad, chilly dishes, unbottled water, undercooked objects, and many others.

Should you desire a nicer sit down place and have a bit extra time, we suggest heading to a neighborhood lodge restaurant. Most resorts have eating places that serve each lodge company and guests.

In fact you may as well 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 in case you desire. Even in case you are not prepared for lunch, breaking at the very least 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 numerous cultural sights that may enable you perceive the historical past of Uganda, from pre-colonial occasions by means of to the extra fashionable age.

The primary cease we suggest on 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 continues to be alive and nicely right now.

Historically, the Kabaka has had his palace on prime of one of many many hills of Kampala. At the moment’s palace, generally known as Lubiri or Mengo palace, isn’t any completely 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 warfare, 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 particular person to maintain protected 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 principle gate, pay an entry price, 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 right now. 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 unfavorable affiliation is the principle cause 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 rather a lot about Uganda’s historical past, together with current and extra distant historical past. We additionally loved studying about conventional bark fabric making and a number of the native video games that locals prefer to play.

A tour will usually final round an hour and we expect is a superb strategy to be taught 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 numerous 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 dwelling to 4 Kabaka’s, in addition to numerous their descendants. The tombs date from 1882, with the primary burial in 1884, and the latest in 1971.

There are a variety of constructions on the positioning, with the massive essential round constructing being the principle attraction. This 102ft vast, 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 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 variety of different buildings on the positioning which could 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 reside on website to have a tendency the graves.

Tragedy befell the positioning in 2010 when an enormous hearth precipitated 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 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 excellent, actually bringing to life the whole lot that we noticed.

 

Uganda Nationwide Museum @ 4pm

After visiting the Kasubi Tombs, in case you nonetheless want to proceed sightseeing and studying about Uganda, then we extremely suggest taking the ten-minute drive to the Uganda National Museum.

This dates from 1908, making it the oldest museum in East Africa, and it’s the place to come back to be taught all about Uganda’s cultural heritage and historical past.

There are a variety of displays on show, which cowl the whole lot from conventional musical devices to artwork, medication, clothes, fossils and far way more. You possibly can principally be taught 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 surface space, the place you’ll discover numerous completely different conventional buildings. These characterize a number of the completely different tribes and time intervals of Uganda throughout the years, and every constructing additionally accommodates numerous traditionally correct displays.

This isn’t a large museum, so even in case you don’t have plenty of time left in your schedule we expect you’ll nonetheless get pleasure from a go to. There’s a price to go to and it’s positively someplace you’ll be able to 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 rather a lot and we’re going to suggest taking a break, probably heading again to your lodge 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 Center. These performances run just a few occasions 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 assorted tribes who make up the land. A superb compere introduces every efficiency to present 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 price, with numerous conventional dishes included. We will 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 a bit of early for our present so we may discover the grounds a bit of 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 vitality and enthusiasm of the performers.

This was a extremely enjoyable expertise and certainly one of our favorite issues to do in Kampala. We will extremely suggest it!

 

Various 1 Day Kampala Itinerary Choices

Should you’d like some extra inspiration for spending a day in Kampala, we have now 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 be aware that actions situated exterior town just like the Mabamba Swamp tour or Entebbe Zoo are going to take up extra time. You too can learn our information to things to do in Kampala for extra concepts and data on all of the websites we suggest.

When it comes to planning a day like this, you’ll be able to both do the whole lot your self, or you’ll be able to attain out to a tour operator who can put collectively a personal customized tour based mostly in your pursuits, resembling this one. They need to deal with all of your transportation and in addition be sure that your sightseeing objectives are achievable within the time you could have.

Historical past Itinerary

Kampala has a lot to supply those that are inquisitive about studying in regards to the historical past of town and Uganda basically. We’d recommend an itinerary that appears one thing like the next:

• Morning: Metropolis tour such as 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 numerous others, resembling this full day tour.

 

Meals Centered Itinerary

Should you’d prefer to be taught extra in regards to the meals of Kampala, then you’ll be able to 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 sights to get pleasure from in Kampala. Right here’s an concept for a day targeted on exploring the inventive and cultural sights within the metropolis.

 

Non secular / Religious Itinerary

Uganda has a wealthy religious life, with numerous 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, spiritual practices shifted dramatically in Uganda. As is commonly the best way, this was not a frictionless course of, with numerous lives misplaced within the course of. Because of this, there are a terrific many sights of spiritual significance in addition to locations of worship throughout Kampala and the encircling 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

The vast majority of these sights are visited as a part of this religious tour of Kampala. This is a similar 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 situated a 30 minute drive exterior of town in Namugongo, however you’ll be able to 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 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 finest in case you have a driver and it’s possible you’ll have to undergo a safety verify as it’s situated close to the airport.

 

Markets/ Procuring targeted itinerary:

Kampala has a lot of good markets to discover, from markets which give attention to arts and crafts by means of to extra conventional meals markets serving the wants of the native inhabitants. You might 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 walking tour of Kampala contains the vast majority of these markets, in addition to numerous different sights within the metropolis. There’s 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’s additionally the Kitooro Market in Entebbe, a coated 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 unimaginable wildlife alternatives, with chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking being excessive on the listing 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 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 steered day, adopted by some extra concepts for wildlife targeted 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 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). 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’ll be able to go to Ngamba island as an alternative. That is on Lake Victoria and is dwelling to numerous rescued chimpanzees.

Should you get pleasure from birds, you’ll be able to see a lot of birds in Kampala with out leaving town, particularly within the mornings. In actual fact there are over 300 species you can see in Kampala! We noticed a quantity on electrical wires and poles, in our resorts’ gardens, at in style sights (Kabaka’s Palace, Kasubi Tombs, Uganda Martyrs Shrine, Baha’i Temple) and round golf programs.

So you’ll probably spot a number of hen species by simply going to in style locations in case you maintain 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 prefer 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 most likely 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’ll be able to see, there are myriad methods to fill a day (or extra!) in Kampala.

 

Reserving your Day Tour in Kampala

You may have just a few completely different choices for getting round Kampala, together with doing the whole lot your self utilizing trip 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 have now carried out each, and having a driver for the day was positively simpler. In case you are visiting Uganda as a part of an extended journey the place you could have a tour firm, then they may probably 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 in regards to the site visitors, parking, and the route, and you may get pleasure from your self with sightseeing.

Lastly, you’ll be able to e book a tour that covers the sights you need to see. There are each personal and group excursions obtainable. When evaluating excursions, all the time 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 vital to verify any refund or cancellation insurance policies earlier than reserving.

Once we journey, we almost all the time e book our excursions upfront with both GetYourGuide or Viator which each provide a 24-hour cancellation coverage for most tickets and excursions. This implies you’ll be able to 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 numerous tour choices we advise which is able to provide an excellent expertise on your day in Kampala. Word 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 personal custom tour guide service will mean you can specify precisely what you need to do and see along with your day in Kampala.
• This full day private tour with transport contains 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 private tour contains 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 private 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 contains admission charges and lunch.
• This full day group tour contains 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 key 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 food tour, and this half-day walking tour. We have now carried out each these excursions, and they might be an excellent possibility for the primary half of your day in case you are following our itinerary.

As you’ll be able to see there are many tour choices on 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 expect you would possibly discover helpful in planning your journey to Uganda and the broader area.

• We have now a complete information to things to do in Kampala, to present you extra inspiration for what to do within the metropolis.
• We have now an in depth information to things to do in Entebbe, that will help 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 in style actions for guests to Uganda and nicely value doing in our opinion
• We have now a information to picking the best safari camera, and a information to getting better photos on safari, so you’ll be able to make sure you get nice recollections of your journey.
• We even have an in depth safari packing list that will help you resolve what to deliver with you
• In case you are planning on visiting Kenya, take a look at our information to things to do in Nairobi and our steered 1 day Nairobi itinerary, which has a lot of concepts for town
• We have now a information to getting online 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 best travel adapters so you’ll be able to select the correct one for Uganda
• Should you’d like a journey information, contemplate the Uganda Bradt Travel Guide, which is mostly thought to be the most suitable choice for Uganda. We’ve used the previous version and might extremely suggest this e book because it has the whole lot from the historical past of the nation and it’s individuals, by means of to packing suggestions, planning recommendation and extra. It additionally contains detailed data on chimp and gorilla trekking.
• E-book smart, we additionally pack and journey with each the Pocket Guide: Birds of East Africa and the Pocket Guide to the Mammals of East Africa. These are each very conveniently sized and can allow you to establish plenty 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. If 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 will.