Attraction
Kasubi Tombs
Burial ground of four kabakas of Buganda on Kasubi Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose great thatched tomb house was rebuilt after a 2010 fire.
The best things to do in Kampala bring you close to the history of the Buganda kingdom and of Uganda itself. The city spreads over a series of hills, and many of them carry a landmark: the rebuilt royal tombs at Kasubi, the Bulange and Mengo Palace on the Royal Mile, the Anglican and Catholic cathedrals on Namirembe and Rubaga, the National Mosque on Old Kampala Hill and the Baha'i Temple on Kikaaya. A little further out, the martyrs' basilica at Namugongo is the country's great pilgrimage site, and Entebbe and Lake Victoria are an easy day out.
Nakasero and Kololo hold most of the hotels, restaurants and bars, with Kisementi and Acacia Avenue the focus of nightlife. Food ranges from Ugandan classics such as luwombo and matooke to Indian, Italian, Japanese and West African kitchens, and Ugandan coffee is easy to find. Two or three days covers the main sights and an evening of music and dance at Ndere Cultural Centre, with extra days for trips to Jinja, Ngamba Island or the rhinos at Ziwa.
Attraction
Burial ground of four kabakas of Buganda on Kasubi Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose great thatched tomb house was rebuilt after a 2010 fire.
Attraction
Kampala's national mosque on Old Kampala Hill, completed with Libyan funding in 2006, where visitors climb a 50-metre minaret for 360-degree views over the city.
Attraction
Catholic basilica and shrine marking where Christian converts were burned in 1886 on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II, focus of the 3 June Martyrs Day…
Attraction
The mother temple of the Baha'i faith in Africa, a domed house of worship dedicated in 1961 and set in 52 acres of gardens on Kikaaya…
Attraction
Buganda's parliament building and the Lubiri palace at either end of the mile-long Kabaka Anjagala Road, with guided visits to the underground prison built under Idi…
Attraction
Uganda's oldest Anglican cathedral and mother church of the Church of Uganda, a brick building completed in 1919 on Namirembe Hill with views across the city.
Café
Ugandan-owned bakery cafe on Lumumba Avenue, founded in 2017, baking European-style bread and croissants and serving gelato, coffee and cooked meals from 07:00 daily.
Café
Kisementi branch of Endiro, the Ugandan coffee company founded in 2011, serving specialty Ugandan coffee and food from 07:00 to 22:00 every day.
Café
Cafe and patisserie inside the Kampala Serena Hotel serving locally sourced coffee, herbal teas, pastries, tarts and macarons from 07:00 to 22:30.
Café
Kampala franchise of the Dutch bakery Bbrood, baking 20-hour sourdough in a stone-floor oven and serving pastries, croissants and sandwiches at several branches.
Hotel
Five-star hotel on Kintu Road with 186 rooms and suites set in 17 acres of gardens and water features, with a spa, pools and several restaurants.
Hotel
Large resort on the shore of Lake Victoria at Munyonyo with 476 rooms, eight restaurants and bars, an equestrian centre and one of Kampala's biggest conference…
Hotel
Modern 96-room Hilton Garden Inn on Kira Road, opened in 2019 opposite the British High Commission, with an outdoor pool, fitness centre and free parking.
Hotel
One of Uganda's oldest hotels, built in the 1920s on Nile Avenue and named after the explorer John Hanning Speke, with 50 rooms and several restaurants.
Hotel
Small hilltop lodge on Buziga Hill with views over Lake Victoria and Kampala, a pool overlooking the city, a terrace restaurant and breakfast included.
Hotel
Budget lodge for independent travellers set in five leafy acres near Lake Victoria at Butabika, run by a Kampala tour operator hosting backpackers since 1999.
Bar
Long-standing Irish pub on Acacia Avenue in Kololo, fitted with a bar brought from an old pub in Ireland, with a big terrace, live music, quizzes…
Bar
Rooftop lounge on Cooper Road in Kisementi with city views, DJs, Thursday salsa lessons and a menu of Ugandan dishes, international small plates and cocktails.
Bar
Sports bar at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Lake Victoria with pool, darts, arcade games, a book swap and Sunday movie nights, plus beers and quick bites.
Restaurant
Garden restaurant on Kafu Road in Nakasero dedicated to Ugandan cooking, from luwombo and matooke to smoked fish, roast goat and the Acholi dish boo.
Restaurant
Long-running Punjabi restaurant on Acacia Avenue in a historic house with a garden, known for tandoori dishes, creamy northern curries and a long vegetarian list.
Restaurant
Kampala's West African restaurant on Kyadondo Road, cooking dishes from the countries around the Gulf of Guinea, with a garden, veranda and children's playground.
Restaurant
Japanese kitchen and cocktail bar on Kyadondo Road serving sushi, ramen, yakitori and teppanyaki in an izakaya-style room with a garden terrace.
Restaurant
Open-air restaurant at the 1920s Speke Hotel on Nile Avenue, shaded by century-old trees and known for whole tilapia, Nile perch and grilled pork chops.
Restaurant
Italian restaurant, wine bar and deli on Mabua Road in Kololo, serving handmade pasta, steaks and platters of imported cheese and cured meats.
Thing to do
Home of the Ndere Troupe, founded in 1984, staging weekly evenings of Ugandan music and dance with dinner in nine acres of gardens in Ntinda.
Thing to do
Island sanctuary on Lake Victoria for more than 50 chimpanzees, reached by boat from Entebbe, where visitors watch feeding sessions from a raised platform.
Thing to do
Kampala's National Theatre, opened in 1959, with free outdoor music and comedy nights and a neighbouring crafts village selling Ugandan handicrafts.
Thing to do
Contemporary art gallery founded in Kampala in 2002 by artist Daudi Karungi, showing changing exhibitions by artists living and working across Africa.
Tour operator
City tours on the back of a boda boda motorcycle taxi, collecting you from your hotel for four to five hours of landmarks, markets and royal…
Tour operator
Kampala tour operator running budget safaris since 1999, with day trips to Jinja, Ziwa and Mabamba Swamp and a Lake Victoria sunset cruise.
Tour operator
Kampala-based safari company with over two decades of experience, running Uganda and Rwanda itineraries and a collection of lodges in Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Budongo.
Two or three days covers the hilltop landmarks, the Royal Mile and Kasubi Tombs, a show at Ndere Cultural Centre and a day out to Entebbe or Namugongo. Add more days for Jinja or Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Nakasero and Kololo are the most convenient, close to the centre and to the main restaurants and bars. Munyonyo and Buziga on the lakeshore are quieter and closer to Entebbe Airport.
Entebbe International Airport is about 40 km from Kampala. Most travellers use a pre-booked hotel transfer or a taxi via the expressway; journey times depend heavily on traffic.
Local food, transport and markets are inexpensive, while international hotels, imported wine and safaris are priced closer to European levels. Mid-range travellers can eat and stay well for a moderate budget.
Check your government's travel advice before you go and follow local guidance during your stay.
Try luwombo, meat or groundnut sauce steamed in banana leaves, with matooke, the steamed green bananas that are Uganda's staple, and grilled tilapia or Nile perch from the lakes.
Yes. Popular trips include Entebbe and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Jinja for rafting on the Nile, Mabamba Swamp for birdwatching and Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.