Kampala Citysafari
As you zip along the green hills of Kampala on the back of a motorbike, your eyes are wide with wonder. You pass markets, churches, mosques, and temples, soaking in the culture and history with every deep breath.
Kampala, Uganda, is built on seven hills, offering stunning views of the cityscape from various points. It’s the bustling chaos you’d expect from an African city, but with a warm climate and the proximity of Lake Victoria, the city feels relaxed and almost tropical—quite different from the metropolis of Nairobi. Kampala has been named the best city to live in East Africa, even surpassing Nairobi and the well-organised Kigali!
The city centre is busy, chaotic, and dusty, with tall, grey buildings. But overall, Kampala is incredibly green. Paths are laid, and homes are nestled among lush vegetation—palm trees, banana plants, cacti, towering jungle giants with hanging vines, flowers in all the colours of the rainbow. Additionally, the houses on the hills are low-built, offering breathtaking views at every turn. It’s especially beautiful when you zip through the roads in the evening, with the hills glowing like stars in the sky!
On the bike
East Africa isn't typically known for a leisurely city break: cities are often large, busy, and chaotic. However, it would be a shame to hop back on a plane without experiencing an Urban Africa day! We organise city safaris where you can tick off all the 'hotspots' in Kampala and wrap up the day with a cold Nile Special alongside the locals.
Just as we hop on a bike in the Netherlands, we jump onto a boda-boda in Kampala. This word comes from "border to border" (add a Ugandan dialect twist, and you get 'boda-boda'), and it refers to the Honda motorcycle taxis. These zip through Kampala, picking you up and dropping you off wherever you need! It's incredibly convenient, especially since traffic in Kampala is chaotic and often comes to a standstill. But on the boda-boda, you can zigzag and slalom your way through the honking cars.
The Citysafari
Helmet on, throttle open, and off you go! On the back of a boda-boda, you zoom over Kampala’s hills, passing by all of the city’s highlights. One of the first stops is Owino market, one of East Africa’s largest markets. This chaotic marketplace has literally everything you need, even things you didn’t realise you needed. From food and clothing to souvenirs and household items, it’s a true maze of possibilities. Further immersion into the city's hustle is guaranteed with a visit to town, where hundreds of people squeeze through alleys filled with shops selling the same goods, and where you’ll find the impressive taxi park. Picture a square with hundreds of mini buses crammed together, all facing different directions—organised chaos!
Christianity is the predominant religion in Uganda, and you’ll find around 63 churches on nearly every street, some of which resemble vibrant music festivals. But during the city safari, you'll also visit sites of other religions. For example, the Gaddafi Mosque, with its striking architecture and breathtaking views of the city. Or find your zen at the Hindu Bahá'í temple, surrounded by a calming green garden. History enthusiasts will be thrilled, as the city safari includes a stop at the former dictator Idi Amin’s palace. It’s quite a chilling experience to see his torture chambers in person.
Don’t forget to grab a rolex during your tour! No, not the expensive watch (that would be a waste and probably not very tasty). A rolex here is a local snack: a chapati wrapped around a greasy omelette with vegetables. It’s cooked on a hot plate by friendly street vendors on every corner. Simple but satisfying—perfect for lining your stomach for the night ahead...
The nightlife in Kampala is legendary and the perfect way to wrap up your city tour! The city has earned its title as the Party Capital of East Africa. Monday? Tuesday? Saturday? Every night is a reason to celebrate. Whether you’re ready to shake your hips and dagger to afro beats in steamy, gritty local clubs, or prefer raving and dancing to Tribal House in hidden industrial warehouses, you’ll find something to suit your vibe. No matter where you go, a cold Nile Special (local beer) will always be at hand!
Top 10 things to do in Kampala
Eat freshly caught tilapia in Ggaba
Right on Lake Victoria lies the harbour district of Ggaba, a short drive from the city centre. You walk through the market by the water, where you are tempted by the colours and smells of fresh vegetables and fruit. The market here is incredibly lively and buzzing, with everyone busy with all sorts of things, while Ugandans float by in rickety wooden boats to trade their catch of the day: fresh tilapia. And you can eat it! It’s a bit sad though, as the lake was once full of tropical fish until the colonial English thought it would be a good idea to introduce tilapia into the lake. Delicious fish to eat, but quite monstrous since they ate all the other little fish in the lake. Now, no other fish is left. Still, it’s an experience to sit on the bright red plastic chairs amid the hustle and bustle of the market, devouring fresh tilapia for a very low price, served with avocado and tomato on the side. After washing your hands, you are supposed to attack the fish with your fingers, without utensils! Deliciously unabashed, pulling the meat from the bones and then licking your fingers loudly. I promise you, you won’t find fish as tasty anywhere else. Would you dare, just like the Ugandans, to eat the head and the eye?Massage and spa at Kampala Forest Resort
Fancy some affordable luxury? My favourite spot is Kampala Forest Resort, right on top of Tank Hill. The wooden terraces of the restaurant are built in a small patch of jungle, and from the bar, which has a treehouse vibe, you can look out over the city and the lake. Besides serving excellent food and delicious wines, there is also a spa. For a bargain, you can enjoy a blissful massage of your choice in a bamboo hut, after which you can use the sauna and drink refreshing ginger tea or cold lemon water. Totally zen and thoroughly massaged, you can enjoy a cocktail at the bar with a stunning view. Just a heads-up: prepare yourself for endless Céline Dion blasting from the stereo. You either love it or hate it!Take an African dance class at the National Theatre
Always wanted to shake your Dutch hips all over the place without hesitation? Now you can. At the National Theatre, African dance lessons are held twice a week. In a tucked-away room with a wooden floor, you’ll follow the teacher’s moves barefoot. Traditional dance movements to the rhythmic drumming of a few men who go wild on their djembes in the corner. Don’t underestimate the intensity of this lesson: it’s a tough two-hour workout where sweat will drip from your forehead to your rear, and no muscle will be spared.
- Walk over the hills of Kololo
Kololo is the wealthiest neighbourhood in Kampala, built on one of the highest hills. This is where international ambassadors live in all their splendour, grandeur, and luxury. If you fancy a hike, take a morning or afternoon climb up this green and flower-filled hill, which seems to be built on a pile of gold coins. Be amazed by the stunning views at every corner and the impressive golden gates with castle-like mansions hidden behind them. At the very top of Kololo Hill, you’ll find the restaurant Holy Crêpe, where, to your surprise, you can enjoy delicious crêpes. Besides the scrumptious food, you can also look out over almost all the hills of Kampala from this spot!
Check the nightlife
Kampala is often referred to as the Party Capital of East Africa, and I can tell you, that’s true! It’s much safer and smaller than its big brothers, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, which means you can often walk from one club to another without any hassle. The nightlife is a huge part of the city’s culture, with many Kampalans going out every night. Monday or Tuesday? Hakuna Matata, because you can go out during the week just as easily as on a Saturday. Head to the jam session at the National Theater, salsa dance at Cayenne, rave to electronic music at Embers, The Square, or Big Kafunda, or go sky-high at Monot (see photo!). For wild top 40 parties, you can go to Bubbles, but it’s actually the most fun to just visit one of the thousands of local clubs and bars, where you’ll find yourself sandwiched between sweaty bodies as the only European. Before you know it, you’ll be caught up in a dance battle with everyone showing off their best twerking moves. Not much of a night owl? Don’t worry, there are fantastic live bands performing almost every day, and they pack up their instruments by eleven so you can head to bed!Swim at Yellow Haven
Although Kampala enjoys a pleasant average temperature of 26 degrees, the sunny, dry days can still feel humid and stifling. Fortunately, Kampala is full of swimming pools where you can take a refreshing dip. My favourite is Yellow Haven Lodge, located by Lake Victoria. Unlike most pools in Kampala, this isn’t a public pool crowded with splashing visitors – swimming lessons are not part of the school curriculum here, so in public pools, people often try to learn. The result is that you’ll often have the place to yourself: an infinity pool surrounded by lush greenery, just steps from the lake. The only catch is that you need to order lunch or dinner at the restaurant, which is certainly no hardship!Cuddle puppies and kittens at USPCA
In Kampala, many stray dogs and cats wander the streets. It’s sad, as many of the animals die from hunger, gang fights, poisoning, or get run over. Thankfully, the USPCA is there to the rescue, an animal shelter with noble intentions. They save many poor animals in need, care for them at the shelter, and try to find new homes for the little souls. If that doesn’t work, there are no gruesome, bloody Lady and the Tramp scenes where unwanted animals meet their end. No, the animals stay and happily wander around the compound until their old age. It’s a big animal haven at the USPCA, and they’re always looking for people to come and cuddle and play with all the dogs and kittens waiting for adoption!
- Visit the Gaddafi Mosque
This is one of the typical tourist attractions in Kampala and certainly worth a visit! This stunning mosque was once a gift from Gaddafi to Uganda and is now open to the public. You don’t need to be Muslim to visit, but as a woman, it’s advisable to wrap yourself in colourful cloths upon entry to cover up modestly. In addition to the impressive architecture, you’ll also have a breathtaking view of the city from above! Tip: visit during sunset to enjoy Kampala in all its glory during the golden hour.
Local food in the middle of the market
When you’re in Uganda, you can’t escape tasting the local food. It’s often a large mound of carbohydrates with an exquisite flavour! There’s the "food" component, where you can choose from basic options such as rice, potatoes, matoke (savory banana puree), or posho (cornmeal porridge). You then pair it with a tasty sauce made from juicy meat, beans, fish, or peas. Every neighbourhood in Kampala has its own market, and each market has a lady who runs a small kitchen, cooking her meals in aluminium pots and pans. The food at the market is often prepared wonderfully. You’ll receive a plate and some utensils and can enjoy your meal at low tables right in the midst of the market, surrounded by chickens, leaving you with a full belly and engaging conversations. Tip: ask if they can add a local, creamy avocado to your meal!Have a custom-made outfit in African print
What better souvenir to take home than a custom-made outfit in African print?! In the centre of Kampala, there are plenty of shops where you can buy fabrics in every colour of the rainbow, with all the prints you can imagine. Pick out something in a colour that suits you, and take it to one of the many tailors. Think about what you’d like: a three-piece suit? A dress? A funky headband or disco trousers? It’s all possible. Just bear in mind that this isn’t a job that can be done in a day, so set aside a few days for it.
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Charlie's way of traveling
1. Africa is our home
We know it from the farthest corners, and that results in amazing trips. We put them together by venturing out there ourselves. Believe us, you won't find these experiences anywhere else!
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That means you'll visit local people in their villages and communities. Hike with the Masai, cook with your host family in a homestay, and cast a line with traditional fishermen.
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So, what are you in the mood for? We'll custom-tailor the entire trip to your wishes. And you can count on us along the way, even in the middle of the night night.
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While you enjoy your dream trip, you'll be contributing to the development of local communities, economies, and the environment. That feels good!
