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Things to do in Kampala

Our most recommended things to do in Kampala

Lake Mburo National Park with Equator, Game Drive & Cruise

1. Lake Mburo National Park with Equator, Game Drive & Cruise

Start the tour with an early morning pick up from your hotel or accommodation in Kampala or Entebbe. Then, head to Kayabwe for your breakfast stop after which you will be taken to Lake Mburo National Park, located in Kiruhura District in the Western Region of Uganda (approximately 240 km west of Kampala). Once in the park, embark on a 3-hour game drive in search of the many species the park has to offer. The park has a variety of animals such as zebra, hippopotamus, impala, warthog, common eland, African buffalo, jackal, lion, African leopard, and over 300 bird species. You will have the option to leave the vehicle and go on a guided walk along the walking trail. After the game drive, enjoy the chance to relax in the shade while lunch is served. After lunch, head to the lakeshore to enjoy a 2-hour boat trip. During the cruise, spot hippos, hornbills, and papyrus gonaleks. Finally, head back to Kampala, stopping at the Equator to experience being in both hemispheres at the same time. Be sure to take some pictures here of this unforgettable experience. Once back in Kampala, get dropped off back at your accommodation to conclude the tour.

From Kampala: Jinja & the Source of the River Nile Day Trip

2. From Kampala: Jinja & the Source of the River Nile Day Trip

Explore the Ugandan countryside and discover the town of Jinja on the shore of Lake Victoria with this full-day tour from Kampala. See a range of sights, including the source of the River Nile, Sezibwa Falls, BoatCruise and more. Get insights from your guide, and enjoy included lunch and hotel transfers. After pickup at your hotel in Kampala, drive for approximately 80 kilometers (around 50 miles) to Jinja. Visit the authentic, original source of the Nile site where the British explorer, John Hanning Speke, first discovered the River Nile (of course the Africans knew there was a river, but anyway). Stand where he stood, and take a picture with the monument. Next, go for a boat ride across the river and into Lake Victoria. See monkeys, monitor lizards, pythons, and maybe even an authentic African Witchdoctor. Admire a truly spectacular natural setting that is ideal for birdwatching and allows for nature walks. This tour is thoughtfully put together and the efficient itinerary also packs in Sezibwa Falls, a walk in the Sezibwa Forest, and hiking to the top of falls. All transportation and entrance fees are included.

Kampala: 3-Hour Walking Tour with Optional Gaddafi Mosque

3. Kampala: 3-Hour Walking Tour with Optional Gaddafi Mosque

Embark on a 3-hour walking tour of Kampala with a local guide. Discover both popular and lesser-known landmarks, and get a taste of local life in bustling markets. Opt to upgrade your experience to include a 1-hour visit to the Gaddafi National Mosque at the end of the walking tour. Meet up at the Craft Market on Buganda Road and receive a briefing from the guide. Then, visit historical monuments and noteworthy government installations like Constitutional Square, the World War Memorial Monument, Independence Monument, the King Muteesa II Monument, and the Main Post Office. Take a toilet/refreshment break at a popular local café. Next, cross to activity-filled downtown Kampala and experience the hubbub of Nakasero Market, the Old Taxi Park, and Owino Market. Taste street food, smell herbs and spices, and shop for local fabrics. Finish with an optional boda (local motorbike taxi) ride back to the Craft Market — or walk if you prefer — and round off your experience by shopping for souvenirs or sampling local coffee at the 1000 Cups cafe. If you select the option that includes the Gaddafi National Mosque, officially the Uganda National Mosque, you will ride a boda to the mosque and spend 1 hour touring it. Climb to the top of the minaret and get the best view of the city. See how the city expanded out from the spot where Fredrick Lugard established the old city of Kampala. Finally, conclude your tour by returning to the Craft Market by boda.

Kampala: 2-Day Murchison Falls National Park Safari

4. Kampala: 2-Day Murchison Falls National Park Safari

Day 1: Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park, Boat Trip (Lunch and Dinner) Your tour begins as you set off from your accommodation at 6:30AM on your 2-day safari to Uganda’s biggest national park. Driving along the Kampala-Gulu Highway, you'll briefly stop over in the Luwero District for refreshments such as fruit and water. Once at at the Murchison Falls National Park, drive to the top of the falls where you receive views of the magnificent Nile as it squeezes through a narrow gorge roughly 7 meters wide. Following the falls, set off for lunch before proceeding to a 2:30PM wildlife cruise on the River Nile. This will see you take a relaxing ride of about 3.5 hours throughout which you get to enjoy up-close sightings of a number of wildlife that lie along the banks of River Nile. This wildlife includes hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, elephants, monitor lizards, warthogs, and a cocktail of birds such as African fish eagles, red-throated bee eaters, skimmers, cattle egrets, the rare shoebill stork, and more. The boat ride takes you to the bottom of the Murchison Falls for another quite remarkable sight of these wild falls, and at the conclusion of your cruise you'll return to your lodge for dinner and to rest. Day 2: Game Drive, Travel to Kampala (Breakfast and Lunch) Wake up for an early morning breakfast at around 6:00AM before setting out for an early game drive by 6:30AM. This timing is appropriate for catching the nocturnal and hunters before they retire to their hideouts for the day. Explore the major game tracks of Queen and Albert for spectacular sightings of wildlife such as elephants, lions, giraffes, antelopes, jackals, hyenas, Uganda kobs, oribis, buffalo, waterbucks, Jackson's Hartebeests, bushbucks, and hopefully the elusive leopard, among others. Four hours after the unforgettable wildlife experience, check-out of the park and start your return journey to Kampala. On your return journey you may choose to stop over at the Kabalega Diner on the Kampala/Gulu highway for lunch.

From Kampala: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest 3-Day Tour

5. From Kampala: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest 3-Day Tour

Embark on an adventure from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park on a 3-day tour with a professional guide. Spend time hiking through the montane forest to discover and observe mountain gorillas and other wildlife in nature.  Day 1: Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park After breakfast, at 7:00 AM, your driver will pick you up from your accommodation in Kampala and begin the journey to the southwest of Uganda. First you will travel through central Uganda. Stop for lunch in Mbarara at the famous Igongo Cultural Centre. From there, continue on through Rukungiri District, passing villages, cultivated farms, and hillsides before you reach the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Check in at Gorilla Valley Lodge or Travellers Rest Hotel where you will stay for two nights. Enjoy dinner and rest before the next day’s adventure.  Driving time: approximately 9 hours Day 2: Gorilla Tracking Arrive at the starting point of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park at 7:45 AM for a briefing before your day of gorilla tracking. At 8:30 AM, begin the trek through the forest. After finding the gorillas, you will be able to spend up to 1 hour observing them. All visitors are expected back at the starting point by 7:00 PM. The walks can take 3-9 hours depending on where you find the gorillas. Keep in mind, this is real hiking and uneven terrain, so being physically fit is recommended. A special evening with the Batwa people is also included. Day 3: Return to Kampala After breakfast, the last part of the journey will bring you back to Kampala. Stop in Mbarara for lunch. After Masaka town, you’ll make a stop at the Uganda Equator for a tea/coffee break and the opportunity to buy souvenirs. You will be dropped off at the hotel of your choice in Kampala. If you are continuing your journey somewhere else or returning home, your driver will bring you to the airport for check-in. Driving time: approximately 9 hours

Jinja, Kampala, or Entebbe: Jinja City Tour with Nile Cruise

6. Jinja, Kampala, or Entebbe: Jinja City Tour with Nile Cruise

Enjoy a relaxed sightseeing drive to the picturesque Jinja, the Source of the great Nile river. Visit and explore the many natural attractions along the route including the rare Ssezibwa falls and its twin rivers, the Mabira forest nature walk, the sugar cane plantations of Lugazi and enjoy a locally popular snack of chicken and plantain at Namawojjolo market. Take a boat cruise on the river Nile and visit the exact spot where the Nile separates from Lake Victoria on its journey to the mediterranean. Enjoy Jinja's signature deepfried tilapia for lunch, and visit Jinja city's market, main street and monuments by car.

Murchison Falls: Hot Air Balloon Ride with Breakfast

7. Murchison Falls: Hot Air Balloon Ride with Breakfast

Start the day with an early pickup from your accommodation. Guests staying at the northern end of the park are picked from the Paraa entrance. Guests staying at the southern side are transported by UWA speed boats to the northern bank where they are picked at the river crossing. Continue to the take-off position, and look on as the hot air balloon is inflated. Listen to the safety briefing from the pilot, board the balloon, and lift off right before sunrise. Sail through the clouds for approximately 1 hour and enjoy views of the park and its wildlife below. Upon landing, you’ll receive a participation certificate before embarking on a mini safari on the way back to the lodge. At Paraa Safari lodge, tuck into a delicious bush breakfast and enjoy the sights of the park. After breakfast, you’ll be transferred back to your accommodation

Kampala: Three-Hour Food Tour

8. Kampala: Three-Hour Food Tour

Meet up mid-morning at a popular, local cafe in a food-rich suburb of Kampala called Kawokya. Start with a visit to Ugaroll, a cafe that makes Kampala's best rolex. Continue on to Kamwokya market to taste a wide range of in-season fruit, including passion fruit, mango, pineapple, melons, and much more. The market also contains a variety of local street food stalls. Wander through the market and sample snacks like samosas, more rolex, and sesame cakes. Proceed then to a local grill and try Uganda's most popular roast meat. Take a 15-minute boda (motorbike taxi) ride to the final stop: a popular, local restaurant. Settle in for a generous spread of different local staples, including smoked tilapia, beef in peanut sauce, chicken steamed in banana leaves, and much more.

Jinja: Two-Day Rafting, Horse Riding, Quad Biking Adventure

9. Jinja: Two-Day Rafting, Horse Riding, Quad Biking Adventure

Begin the experience with an early-morning departure from your accommodation in Kampala, Entebbe, or Jinja. Make a pit stop at the popular Namawojjolo road market for a taste of Uganda's most loved travel snack, roasted plantain and roast chicken. Continue on until arriving at Mabira Forest for 1.5 hours of zip lining. Proceed to Jinja and enjoy 1.5 hours of horseback riding along the banks of the Nile. Head to a popular lakeside restaurant for a lunch consisting of Jinja's signature dish of deep-fried tilapia and fries. In the afternoon, set off for 1.5 hours of quad biking through local villages along the banks of the Nile. Head to the hotel to check in and relax. Opt for a mini walking tour of Jinja town and the local bars in the early evening. Enjoy dinner and an overnight at a decent, mid-range hotel. Wake up for included breakfast at the hotel and depart for the preferred aquatic activity. Choose between a full-day, grade-5 whitewater rafting experience, or any two half-day activities, including kayaking, Nile tubing, or Nile bugging. Enjoy an included lunch and evening snack, as well as one beer, throughout the day. Return to Kampala or Entebbe in the late afternoon.

Queen Elizabeth National Park: 2-Day Safari with Boat Cruise

10. Queen Elizabeth National Park: 2-Day Safari with Boat Cruise

After pickup from your Kampala accommodation, enjoy a hearty breakfast to set you up for the adventure. Then, travel for 5-6 hours towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, stopping at the Kazinga Channel for a rest stop along the way.  Arrive at the park in the afternoon and head off on a scenic boat cruise. Look out for the array of wildlife, including buffalo, hippopotamus, elephants, and more. From the boat, admire the rolling grasslands, then pass by the plains of Kasenyi, where lions stalk their prey. After the cruise, enjoy dinner and a good night’s sleep at your Bush lodge or Engiri Game Lodge. Wake up on day two with a tasty breakfast, then embark on a morning game drive through Kasenyi. On the drive, encounter an array of big and small game. Later, check out of the lodge and enjoy an optional walk through the park in search of primates i.e Chimpanzees, (Please note there is a permit fee which can be arranged with your Driver currently $70) before beginning the return journey.  On your way back to Kampala, stop for lunch at the Mpambire Drum Center, where you can see drums being made by the locals and shop for souvenirs.

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What people are saying about Kampala

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 31 reviews

We had an amazing tour with Arthur and his trainee Ronald, they taught us so much about Uganda and it’s history, and we saw a variety of interesting buildings, monuments, markets and just the general bustle of Kampala! We even got to ride on a Boda Boda! They were exceptionally friendly and welcoming, answering any questions we had and also finding out about the differences between our countries. Would definitely recommend this tour it was so worth it and you will have a great day! Thank you Arthur!

It was fantastic! Andrew was really informative and full of great energy and I got to learn so much about the history of Uganda. Highly recommend.

You will spend couple hours driving but already knowing this before it was a great experience. So thanks again to the guides and the driver.

Great experience, well organised and great communication from the organiser. Will be recommending.

Very competent and friendly guide, I did the safari alone and felt very safe at all times.