For a decade, Kampala citizens have had a weekend experience that can include the whole family. This came about with the introduction of Wonder World Amusement Park in Kansanga. Before, the few options included taking the family out to a soccer game with programmes like the Totos or Kampala Kids League.
Wonder World started out as Didi’s World. It is an amusement park in every sense of the word. Unlike other efforts before, such as the Egyptian travelling circus or a small business holding with dangerously squeaking swings and slides, Wonder World has brought the amusement park to Kampala.
For the last 10 years, families have made it a date to go to Wonder World during the weekend or school holiday. On any given Saturday the place is a whirlwind of activity with squealing children riding the slides and calling out their excitement.
The park is huge. It has a movie theatre and a theatre auditorium, which are a draw any time during the week since many clients come calling for conference space or for other such meetings. They have boasted of having East Africa’s largest auditorium, although this is debatable.
Visitors to the park are struck by the sense of bigness and full on fun at the gates. Ornately decorated and perhaps sometimes bordering on the extreme, it is one intriguing design after another right from the entrance to the end. No matter if it is rides or sitting and meeting spaces, details go into everything.
The foyer, the main meeting space, used to be rented out by universities to sit large numbers of students during examinations, giving you a sense of how expansive it is.
At the park, families are familiar with the Polipo octopus ride, a Chinese made contraption that has served for years as Wonder World’s biggest draw. Children around town, when they try to get their parents to take them there many times say they want to go on the Polipo. Others include the Pirate Ship and the different types of swings.
There are over 30 games and slides at Wonder World with children often spoilt for choice on what to choose. Between the bouncy castles, clowns, go-karts, water slides, bumper cars and many other attractions, for children full of energy, it is a delight. For parents, it can result in a child that is so exhausted, they actually go to bed without a fuss.
Getting in is easy because all you have to do is pay the entrance fee of 10,000 UGX, get checked at the security point then everything you decide to do thereafter is up to you. This is the price for each individual. School groups have a package where the first 10 pupils and their teacher enter for free.
Other attractions at the park include comedy nights every Friday evening (8pm) for which one pays 5,000 UGX and dramas in the theatre at 5,000 UGX over the weekend. These are also at 8pm.
The park has a number of restaurants where snacks and food are served. Drinks can also be accessed as there is a bar, for those looking for liquor or just pop for the children. Prices range from 5,000 UGX for a plate of food or fries and goat meat. The prices can go as high as 15,000 UGX for the different spirits on sale.
Face painters and those selling different items have prices in the range of 5,000 UGX to 10,000 UGX.
To get to Wonder World from Kampala City, get on the Kansanga, Bunga, Ggaba matatu in the Old Park. This will cost you about 1500 UGX. Just as you enter Kansanga, past the International University of East Africa campus, you will be at Wonder World. It is on a road called Soweto Road.
Phone: +256-041-4274706, +256 41 4270311, +256 4270196/230
Cell: +256 0712-202443,+256 753 202 443 .+256 750 401 518