Must-Do Activities in Kampala
These are some of the top attractions that visitors to Kampala always love.
Uganda Museum
If you only have a couple of hours in Kampala, this is the number one place to visit. You’ll be amazed at Uganda’s diverse cultural heritage illustrated through artefacts, exhibits and informative guides at this small museum.Local Food
Ugandan buffet lunch is centred around matooke (steamed banana), a meat stew, beans and groundnut sauce. Pile your plate high with rice, sweet potato, cassava and yam. Sample street food favourites like rolex (omelette rolled in a chapati), muchomo roasted meat and luwombo steamed. Uganda is famous for her tropical fruits: sweet pineapples, plentiful bananas, mangos, passionfruit, guava, papaya, watermelon and sugarcane.Nightlife
No visit to Kampala is complete without at least one night out in the city. Read Explore Uganda’s guide to Kampala nightlife.Kasubi Tombs
Explore the splendid traditional hut and meet the ancestors of long-gone Kabakas (kings) of Buganda Kingdom. No advance bookings are needed and on-site guides are ready to welcome you. Did you know you can make cloth from a tree? On the Experiential Trail of Buganda, watch the age-old skill of barkcloth making, take part in a cultural dance, and learn how to play a game of omweso.Royal Mile
Walk along the tree-lined Royal Mile (Kabaka Anjagala) between the Bulange (seat of the Buganda Parliament) and the Mengo Palace in the Lubiri as you trace the footsteps of Ugandan royalty. Read about the statues of animal totems that decorate the route. Totems are an intrinsic part of Buganda culture. Interpretative guides can be organised through the Buganda Tourism and Heritage Board or at the booking office at the Bulange.Namugongo and the Uganda Martyrs
did you know that in June every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims congregate in Namugongo? Many walk from remote corners of East Africa to pay homage to the 22 Ugandan Christians who were executed for their faith in 1886 at Namugongo, a modern day site of pilgrimage and remembrance. June 3rd marks the Uganda Martyrs’ public holiday. Visit the Uganda Martyrs’ Museum and learn the heart-wrenching yet inspiring stories of these brave individuals.
The Mountains of The Moon
‘Mountains of the Moon’ sounds like something out of a fairy tale, but the magic unfolded right in front of my eyes on a recent climbing trip to the Rwenzoris in Uganda. Balanced on the spine of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Rwenzori Mountains straddle the equator for around 100 kilometres.
In my bid to climb Margherita Peak (5109m) on Mount Stanley, the highest peak in Uganda and the third highest in Africa, I had a punchy 8-day adventure in this remote wonderland. I stepped into another world full of exotic natural wonders; Candy floss trees, oversized botanical specimens, towering cactus plants and totem poles set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. It was magical.
I learnt quickly not to be fooled by the other-worldly and enchanting allure of this place as it was also a rapidly changeable environment. Like a domino falling, the fluffy clouds turned into rainstorms, the trickling streams into raging torrents, the spongy trails into deep alpine bogs and the rocky outcrops into ice rinks. The Rwenzoris is a playground for adventurous souls.
The trek out of basecamp and for the rest of the first day was a sustained uphill effort. The temperature hit 30 degrees as we hiked up steeply forested terrain, climbing up big boulders and slithering over ancient tree roots. Occasionally a wooden ladder would appear to assist our ascent. A waterfall of sweat was pouring down my back. As I stopped for a break, I was mindful of the biting ants, which are highly skilled at crawling under your clothing and then letting you know they are there!
HEARTBEATS OF ADVENTURE: AN ADRENALINE JUNKIES GUIDE TO UGANDA
Welcome to Uganda, where every sunrise brings a new adventure, every encounter promises a story worth retelling, and every sunset hinges on unforgettable experiences. Our land is a mosaic of diverse landscapes, colorful cultures, and untamed wilderness that have earned it the endearing title of the “Pearl of Africa.” Uganda isn’t just a place of beauty and serenity; it’s a playground for thrill-seekers craving heart-pounding adventure and raw, wild landscapes. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, prepare to meet your match in Uganda. From the rush of white-water rapids to the exhilaration of sky-high views, every corner of this country offers a daring escape into the extraordinary.
Nothing says adrenaline quite like white-water rafting on the world’s longest river. The Nile in Jinja boasts some of the most intense Grade 4 and Grade 5 rapids, where roaring waves and powerful currents challenge even the most seasoned rafters. Feel the thrill as you plunge through turbulent waters, battling rapids with names like “Bad Place” and “Overtime,” which promise an experience you’ll never forget. And for an even bigger rush, you can try body surfing, letting the river’s wild currents carry you downstream.
If rafting isn’t enough, why not bungee jump over the Nile? Take a leap off a towering platform, free-falling toward the river with nothing but a bungee cord keeping you airborne. Jinja’s bungee jumping spot offers the best views, with the vibrant green forest and flowing river beneath you—a pure rush of adrenaline, completed with a dunk into the river for the ultimate thrill.
What to take home: gift ideas & craft markets in Kampala
One of the exciting things about travelling is buying gifts for family and friends – or a personal souvenir of your memorable time in a new country. Uganda has a wealth of beautiful things for you to take home, from traditional handmade crafts to world-class coffee, and gorgeous kitenge prints.
Here’s Explore Uganda’s guide to help you discover the best of Kampala’s craft markets and find the perfect memento of your visit to the Pearl of Africa.
Kampala is the best place in Uganda for craft shopping thanks to its numerous markets, galleries, shops, malls. But don’t worry if you run out of time, many lodges – and even Entebbe International Airport – have a small selection of gifts on sale too.
Craft Markets
Uganda Arts and Crafts Village, next to the National Theatre, central Kampala is a hub for artisans selling handmade crafts. If you’re short on time, this is a great place to buy all your souvenirs. Browse through stalls selling woven baskets and bags of all shapes and colours, wooden carvings of gorillas, jewellery, fabrics, bark cloth bags and artworks, such as batik prints.
Daisy Arcade, Buganda Road, central Kampala. This is another convenient place to grab everything in one go. Home to dozens of stalls, you’ll find thousands of gift ideas!
Tips for shopping
The downside of markets is that few things have price tags so you’ll need to haggle. The prices may start high (so don’t accept the first price). Market shopping is a great way to interact with local people. Ugandans are very friendly. Smile, take your time and compare prices at the different stalls. Don’t show your interest yet (and see who comes running after you!)
Negotiating can be fun, but you might prefer the experience of a gift shop. Here, items are more likely to be marked with prices but you can still sometimes haggle. (It’s always worth a try, particularly if you’re buying a few things). For quality souvenirs (with high price tags to match), visit Banana Boat shops in Kisementi Square or Lugogo shopping mall and gift shops at the Serena Hotel and the Sheraton Hotel.
Want to feel the Kampala vibe? Nothing beats the energy of a bustling market!
Try one of Kampala’s sprawling ‘downtown’ markets where every day, thousands of Ugandans congregate to buy everything from second-hand clothes to fruits and vegetables, pots and pans and even grasshoppers (a Ugandan delicacy nsenene) when they are in season! Owino and Nakasero are Kampala’s best-known big markets.
Gift ideas
Now, let’s explore Uganda through some of the unique gifts on sale in Kampala’s craft markets and shops:
Traditional instruments
Africa is famous for her drums and Uganda is no exception. Drums of all sizes can be bought at craft markets. Look for shakers or rattles made from large seedpods on sticks (perfect gifts for young children). For music lovers, how about the unusual akogo (thumb piano) or the deeply traditional musical instrument such as the adungu (harp), from West Nile.
Woven Baskets
Made from natural materials such as sisal, raffia, and banana fibre, Ugandan baskets are both beautiful and functional, and come in a wide range of colours, patterns and sizes. Use them for storage or display them as decorative pieces in your home.
Wooden Carvings
Uganda is renowned for its skilled woodcarvers. Pick up a hand-carved sculpture depicting wildlife, or everyday rural scenes.
Jewellery
Where better to buy jewellery than in Africa? Browse through earrings, necklaces, bracelets made from colourful beads, shells, metal, leather and Ankole cowhorn from Western Uganda. You may even find ornaments made out of recycled bottle tops! UGANDA bracelets in the distinctive red, yellow and black of the national flag are always popular too.
Coffee
Uganda’s coffee is famous internationally, and can be purchased in coffee shops and cafes, local supermarkets and Entebbe Airport. Love gorillas? Gorilla Conservation Coffee sell packet coffee from their cafe on the main road to Entebbe Airport. By supporting coffee farmers on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, we are protecting the forest habitat and the gorillas that live there.
Uganda Waragi
You’ll quickly notice what a fun-loving nation Uganda is. Uganda Waragi “the spirit that binds us” never fails to go down well. This triple-distilled gin is popular with Ugandans and visitors alike.