Kampala Boda Tours

Kampala Boda Tours offers a very local way to see the city: from the pillion seat of a boda boda, the motorcycle taxis that carry much of Kampala's traffic. The tours are run by a group of trained boda boda riders who pooled their resources to start the business, and each tour lasts about four to five hours. Riding through the city lets you cover far more ground than on foot and cut through traffic that would trap a car, so you can see several of Kampala's hills in a single morning or afternoon.

The route is personalised to your interests, but the standard list of stops reads like a summary of the city's history. It takes in the Baha'i Temple on Kikaaya Hill, the Kasubi Royal Tombs, the Buganda palace at Mengo and the underground prison built there under Idi Amin, Rubaga Cathedral and the Independence Monument. The tour also goes through Owino Market and the Old and New Taxi Parks, the crowded transport hubs at the heart of the city, which are far easier to understand with a local rider beside you. The company's list also includes the city's museums, but the Uganda Museum is closed for renovation, so plan around that.

The company works with on-site guides and site managers at the places you visit, so you get local explanations as well as the ride. Riders collect you from your accommodation, give a briefing before setting off, and drop you at the end wherever you need to go. Ask when you book whether entrance fees at the sites are included in the tour.

Booking is by phone or through the order form on the website, after which you choose a date. Payment can be made in cash before or after the trip, which is convenient for travellers who prefer not to pay online. Tell the company in advance which sights matter most to you, as four to five hours is not enough to go inside every site on the list.

The tour suits independent travellers and couples with limited time who want an energetic overview of Kampala, and it makes a good first-day orientation before you explore at your own pace. Wear comfortable clothes and closed shoes, and bring a scarf or wrap if you plan to go inside the National Mosque or the cathedrals.