Kampala Travel Guide – Things to See & Do in and out of the City
With over 1.6 million residents and a wealth and astounding history, Kampala is the heart of Uganda’s economical, educational, and cultural landscape.
Kampala is of course best known as both the capital and largest city of Uganda and due to its vastness and intricacy combined with the country’s unique and varied culture, makes the city difficult to navigate for foreigners.
However, though the city has a varied culture and hence various languages, most of the people in the city speak English – as it is the country’s official language and thus you will then be able to communicate with the local people but since it is a foreign language still, their accent will still be local and you should also cope with their accent by speaking slowly instead of rushing whenever you are talking to them in order for both parties (you and them) to communicate and easily comprehend each other.
Besides all that, Ugandans are the most welcoming and friendly people in the world especially towards the foreigners as they will want to make you feel at home and befriending you as well.
There are many things to see and lots to do in Kampala while on your Ugandan tour to the parks and other tourist sites in the Pearl of Africa.
Accommodations
Kampala city comprises of numerous hotels to fit every traveler’s taste and budget. Among the best hotels in Kampala include; Kampala Serena Hotel, Protea Hotel By Marriott Kampala, Munyonyo Common Wealth Resort Hotel, Pearl Of Africa Hotel, Sheraton Kampala Hotel, Mestil Hotel & Residences, Imperial Royale Hotel, Golf Course Hotel, Hotel Africana, Silver Springs Hotel Bugolobi, Golden Tulip Canaan Kampala, Le Petit Village Hotel, The Ventil Hotel & Spa, Arcadia Suites Hotel, Humura Resort, Georgina Gardens Hotel, Speke Resort & Conference, Urban By City Blue, Grand Imperial Hotel, Skyz Hotel, Royal Suites, and Bougainville Hotel, among others.
Prices vary widely from many affordable hotels to more luxury hotels with higher price tags. The internet is a good source of reviews of the many hotels in the city. You can view pictures and read descriptions of the various hotels before choosing your accommodation.
Vacation to Kampala
Vacation packages are available online or through an authorized travel agency in Kampala, Uganda. These can save money compared to booking your flight and accommodations separately.
However, before visiting any travel agency in Kampala or booking online into some of the available hotels in Kampala, you are advised to make some research about the exact location of the hotel you are most likely to book with and see if it matches with your desires.
Travelers have different desires as some will want to stay within the centre of the bustling Kampala city well as others may want to be some distance away from the city centre, therefore do a lot of research about the hotel you will have chosen and see if it is really the type of hotel you would love to sleep in, in Kampala.
Sightseeing
Kampala is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning, and these include; Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division, and Rubaga Division.
In the five boroughs and Kampala’s surrounding Wakiso district comprise of various sightseeing places, and these include: Lubiri Palace Mengo, Bulange Mengo, Akayaanja ka Kabaka (King’s Lake), Kasubi tombs (royal burial grounds), Uganda National Museum, Uganda National Cultural Centre, Bahai temple, Gaddafi Mosque (Uganda’s National Mosque), Namirembe Cathedral, Rubaga Cathedral, Makerere University, Parliament of Uganda, Namugongo Martyrs’ Shrines and Munyonyo Martyrs’ Shrines, Uganda Wildlife Education Conservation Centre (UWEC), Various Markets like Owino, Beaches in Entebbe along the shores of Africa’s largest lake – Lake Victoria, and the Ssese Islands at Lake Victoria, and many other attractions.
Other top places of interest in Uganda, outside Kampala
Besides your Kampala city tours, Uganda is a top tourist destination in Africa and among the mostly visited places in the country include; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Jinja City (the adventure capital of East Africa – source of the Nile), Kidepo Valley National Park, Kibale Forests National Park, Nyero Rock Paintings, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Mountain Elgon National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Semuliki National Park, Uganda Equator, Lake Mburo National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Lake Mutanda, Ndere Cultural Centre, Igongo Cultural Centre, and very many others.
Uganda has an enormous number of tourist places and above it all is its natural beauty and fantastic climate, all which led to its (Uganda) christening as the ‘’Pearl of Africa’’ by Sir Winston Churchill.
