Kampala & Entebbe

Uganda’s capital, Kampala, is a thriving city of some 1.2 million people. Though large, it is easy to get around with good minibus, taxi and taxi bike services. The city is generally friendly and has plenty to offer anyone visiting or using the city as a stop-over.

There is a busy market in the centre of the city, St. Balikuddembe Market, which is one of the largest in the region, while the Garden City is a more modern shopping centre. The administrative centre and richer residential areas occupy much of the city with the suburbs fanning out into the surrounding hills, their distinctive red-roofed villas visible from a distance.

NB. Uganda's main international airport is in Entebbe, a large town to the south of Kampala. It's less than an hour's drive time from Entebbe to central Kampala.

In and around Kampala, Uganda
Sights of note include the Uganda Museum, Parliament, Independence Monument, National Theatre, and the Kasubi tombs, the resting ground of several Buganda kings.

Kampala provides a very gentle introduction to Uganda, in contrast to many other African capitals, but we wouldn’t usually recommend more than a night here unless your travel arrangements dictate a longer stay.

There are number of attractions of note surrounding the capital. Within 1-2 hours driving distance of Kampala, Jinja is a large town on the shores of Lake Victoria, and the adventure capital of Uganda. For those looking for natural scenery, the Mabamba Wetlands are a short drive from the city - here you can take a leisurely boat safari in search of the rare and endangered shoebill stork.