Being Uganda’s capital, Kampala presents enough reasons to be explored for those about to start or end their safari in Uganda but have a few days to chill around the city. So it’s a city that makes everyone happy in Uganda with various tour activities and interesting places around. The amazing hills in the center of the city, ancient valued worship houses, the wonderful shopping malls, bars and restaurants, children play centers and theme parks offer exciting excursions and first hand introduction about the friendly people of Uganda and daily life. If you want high of a different kind Kampala has most expensive streets and eating restaurants in various locations.
More about the city is that it’s great for party lovers, with an exciting network of bars and clubs open in good and convenient hours. For those planning to take a safari in Uganda and spend a few days around Kampala, here is a list of some of the unique sights, stunning scenery, great things to do and fun events that might make you feel loved.
Kampala City is a dynamic city backed by beautiful natural attractions for sightseeing, vibrant arts scene, world-class urban attractions and an eclectic mix of shopping in Africa. Whether this is your first visit or Kampala City is like your second home, take time to discover a blend of interesting things to do while in Kampala.
Top 10 Things to Do in Kampala
- Day Tours – Check out Kampala City Tour
- Sightseeing – Visit different sights in Kampala
- Go Shopping in Kampala
- Experience Urban Nightlife
- Sports Tourism – Play Your Favorite Game
Below are some of the top best things to do in Kampala;
1. Spend a day in a mix of Culture and history
Kampala may not be the only cultural and historical point in Uganda but it has plenty to offer. Lovers of traditional dance and music, spend your day at Ndere Centre a famous theatre performance for Ndere Troupe. The Troupe showcases various cultural traditions of many tribes in Uganda.Another is the national Theatre, Kasubi tombs, Mengo palace, Buganda kingdom Kabaka coronation site of Nagalabi among others.
2. Visit the Unique Temple of Worship
The Bahai Temple in Uganda the only one in Africa offers gorgeous calm gardens and worship environment for everyone who visit the hill or who feel like talking to God. It’s never crowded all year and the hill is accessed by road with any easy means of transport that one feels like using. Feel free to use your private transport, public taxi or boda boda. No entry fee is paid so it’s a great place to talk to your God any day of the week including Sunday.
3. Take a walk down town to Owino Market
Get a chance to mix up with local business people in the middle of down town Kampala that is famously known as Owino Market. The market looks like a bazaar outside and it’s where you can find everything at affordable rates. For those planning to do self-catering and staying in Kampala for some time it’s a great place I would recommend for any type of shopping. However be mindful as you walk around, hold your bag tightly because there are plenty of pickpockers. You can also enjoy good local business experience once you visit this market.
4. Explore the Art Galleries
Kampala is a nice place for buying souvenirs and a home for many art galleries including national theatre, Daisy Arcade. Makerere Gallery, MishMash and many other wonderful retail points. Be ready to part with some few dollars because the gallaries have a lot to offer at negotiable prices.
5. Enjoy Uganda Bars & Restaurants
After your amazing Uganda safari tour to various places of your interest mainly designed with a wild and nature touch, you definitely need to check out the capital city night life on a day before your departure. You should put together your individual itinerary to hang out in the city taste snacks, lots of drinks, cocktails etc. However, we do have a few suggestions starting with Indian best at Khana Khazana, Vegetarian favorite Fez Brasserie near Emin Pasha hotel, a perfect popular hangout for dinners and coffee-Prunes, top local and western dish point-Mama Ashanti,Japan variety at Yujo Izakava and many other wonderful places, bars and night clubs.
6. Visit the Kabaka’s palace
Situated in Mengo, the Kabaka’s palace consists of two big palaces, the main palace in Bulange and because of this, Mengo area has become one of most splendid sites that are worth visiting while on Kampala city tours. It features unique history, architecture and also offers the best views of Bulange hill. The Kabaka’s palace is the official capital of the Buganda kingdom and different events are conducted in this area. The colonial power of the palace holds too much history of Buganda’s ancient Kingdoms.
7. Sightseeing in Kampala
Kampala is remarkably one of the excellent cities in Africa that offer the best sightseeing tours. For the best sightseeing tours in Kampala never miss to visit the Kasubi tomb site and this is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites that reward visitors with authentic cultural experience. Culturally and historically this is recognized as a burial site for Buganda Kings and the four Buganda Kings were also buried in the same place. Other incredible sites include Uganda National Museum, Gaddafi National Mosque, Nommo art gallery, the national theatre and a mention but a few.
8. Visiting the Kabakas Lake
Kabakas Lake is the largest man made water body in Uganda. It is situated in Ndeeba Rubaga division about 5 kilometers from Kampala cit centre. The Lake extends up to 2 kilometers and it is 200 feet deep. It was dug by 52 clans of Buganda from 1885 to 1888 at the time of Ssekabaka Mwanga. This was mainly constructed with the intention of creating a channel that would enable the king to travel by boat to Lake Victoria, for swimming, fishing as well as act as an escape route.
9. Visit the craft markets
Kampala also offers you a chance to purchase some of its incredible craft products whether for decoration or for gifts. The biggest craft market in Kampala is situated along Buganda road, central Kampala and it is ever open seven days.
In conclusion, Kampala features a number of tourist sites that make it one of the best areas for city tours. This means that travelers can combine your city tours with wildlife safaris in most of the outstanding nations in Uganda.