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Uganda’s lively capital, on seven hills.
Discover Kampala’s energy, from busy markets and royal heritage sites to live music, local food, and the shores of Lake Victoria close by.
Kampala is Uganda’s capital and its beating heart, a city spread across green hills close to the northern shore of Lake Victoria. It’s where most journeys in Uganda begin, and it rewards a day or two of exploring.
Visit royal Buganda heritage sites, wander colourful markets, enjoy a cultural performance, take in city views from a minaret, or slow down by the lake in nearby Entebbe.
Whether you have a single day before heading to the national parks or want to spend longer getting to know the city, we can help you plan Kampala around your interests and budget.
Explore the history of the Buganda Kingdom at sites such as the Kasubi Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Lubiri palace.
Discover busy markets full of fabrics, crafts, fresh produce, and the everyday rhythm of the city.
Enjoy traditional dance and music performances, contemporary art, and a lively evening scene.
Climb the minaret of the Uganda National Mosque for sweeping views across Kampala’s hills.
Spend time by Africa’s largest lake in Entebbe, with botanical gardens, lakeside restaurants, and boat trips.
Kampala can be visited all year, and its altitude keeps temperatures comfortable for most of it.
| PERIOD | WHAT TO EXPECT |
|---|---|
| December – February | Generally one of the drier, warmer periods, good for exploring the city and combining with a safari. |
| March – May | The main rainy season, usually with heavy showers in the afternoon and lush green surroundings. |
| June – August | A drier period and a popular time to visit Uganda, especially when combining Kampala with gorilla trekking. |
| September – November | Shorter rains return, with sunshine between showers and fewer visitors. |
Kampala's traffic can be heavy at peak times. We'll plan city time and transfers around it so you spend more time exploring and less time on the road.
Explore Uganda’s capital through its royal heritage, markets, culture, and the shores of Lake Victoria.
Open a day to see what happens.
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where you’ll be met and transferred to your accommodation in Kampala.
Spend the day exploring Kampala with a local guide. Visit royal Buganda heritage sites, take in the city from the National Mosque minaret, and explore a busy market.
Travel to Entebbe for a relaxed morning by Lake Victoria, with time for the botanical gardens or a lakeside lunch, before your onward journey or flight home.
From boutique hotels and city stays to quiet lakeside hotels in Entebbe, there are options to suit different travel styles and budgets.
Tell us what matters most to you, and we’ll help you find the right place to stay in Kampala.
Their service was professional, smooth, and stress-free from start to finish. They helped plan everything within my budget and made the whole process easy.
The level of professionalism is top notch. I really enjoyed my trip.
Everything was smooth and stress free from start to finish and their customer service was exceptional. They checked in regularly to make sure I had arrived safely … and genuinely cared that I was enjoying my trip.
Planning our Cape Town trip with Elite Travel Consultants was very seamless from start to finish. The team was professional, responsive, and always ready to answer our questions.
Entebbe International Airport is around 40 km from Kampala. The journey usually takes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic and the route.
One or two days is enough for most travellers to explore the highlights before heading to Jinja or the national parks.
Yes. Most journeys begin in Entebbe or Kampala, and the city is a convenient base before travelling on to Jinja, Bwindi, or Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Light, comfortable clothing works well, with a light layer for evenings and modest dress for visiting religious and heritage sites.
The official currency is the Ugandan Shilling (UGX). US dollars are widely accepted for park fees and some lodges, usually in notes printed from 2013 onwards.
English and Swahili are official languages, and Luganda is widely spoken in and around Kampala.
Uganda uses East Africa Time (EAT), which is UTC+3.
It depends on your nationality. Citizens of East African Community countries, including Kenya, can travel with a passport or national ID. Many other visitors need an e-visa, and the East Africa Tourist Visa covers Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda together. We’ll confirm what you need when we plan your trip.
Tell us when you’d like to travel, who you’re travelling with, what you’d like to experience, and what you’d like to spend. We’ll help you turn your ideas into a personalised journey.
