10 Must do activities in Kampala

Kampala is among the most vibrant cities in East Africa, where you can be presented with at least 10 must-do activities. Located in the Central Region of Uganda, Kampala is popular for its rich mix of history, culture, & bustling city life. It is here that adventures in Uganda start or end. As a first-time or repeat traveler, you may wonder what activities to do in Kampala as part of your Uganda safari. Here are the top 10 must-do activities in Kampala, Uganda.

Visit Gaddafi Mosque

A visit to the Gaddafi Mosque should be among the top 10 must-do activities in Kampala. It is one of the significant sites to explore on a city tour in Kampala. The Gaddafi Mosque is set on Old Kampala Hill and is notably the biggest mosque and among East Africa’s landmarks. It was gifted by the former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. This mosque is 2-km away from the heart of Kampala. It provides a deep insight into Islam religion and also comes with a unique art design.

The highlight of the Gaddafi Mosque tour is a visit to the main prayer hall. Another highlight is the minaret climb for you to experience a 360-degree panoramic view of the towering hills of Kampala. Guided tours as you discover more about its unique history and Islamic cultures. Besides, expect to appreciate the unique fusion of architectural artistry of the site. Come and let us take you through the Gadhafi mosque tour, an unforgettable guided excursion where you explore more about the Muslim community in Uganda.

Explore Nakasero Market

Nakasero market is one of the vibrant markets located in the heart of Kampala. It is at Nakasero local market where a variety of fresh fruits, spices, and vegetables are sold at affordable rates. Embark on a guided walk through Nakasero market, meet the business communities/traders, farmers, and buyers. The beauty about Nakasero market tour is that you can also grab some delicious fruits freshly harvested from gardens. You need to place a visit to Nakasero Market as one of your 10 must do activities in Kampala

Visit the Baha’i Temple

Visit the iconic Baha’i temple on Kikaya Hill, also referred to as the only Mother temple of the Bahai Faith in Africa. This religious site boasts of its serenity and guarantees visitors excellent views of the city. Around it exist lush gardens, and to keen birders expect to search for more than 100 species of birds that are believed to reside in here. The overall time to spend as you explore more about the Baha’i temple can be 1 to 2 hours, or you can even dedicate half a day.

Kasubi Tomb Tour

Kasubi tomb tours offer deep insight into Buganda’s rich history and culture. A city tour in Kampala is considered incomplete without a visit to the Kasubi tomb site. The tomb site is only 5km from the heart of Kampala. In 2001, Kasubi tombs were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remain signature sites to be explored on a guided Kampala city tour.

Inside the Kasubi tomb grass-thatched building, you can find the tombs of the 4 former kings of the Buganda Kingdom. The entire Kasubi is built with 3 main compartments –the first being the main area, which is where former kings were laid to rest. The 2nd compartment features other graveyards, and the 3rd section is mainly an open area for farming.

Lubiri & Masengere Tour

If you are interested in Buganda’s distinct cultures and history, then a visit to Lubiri and Masengere should be a must. It is at Lubiri where the King’s palace sits, and nearby is Masengere with its modern buildings, is part of Buganda’s cultural sites. The main highlights of the Lubiri and Masengere tour include exploring the Lubiri palace grounds. The Lubiri palace grounds are the historical seat of the Buganda Kingdom, a perfect location for you to explore more about the kingdom’s royal lineage and also the 1966 destruction. The excursion also introduces you to Idi Amin’s torture chamber; Masengere building, and more. You need 3 to 5 hours to completely experience the Lubiri and Masengere.

Boda-boda tour

Guided boda boda tours offer a unique experience, and are among the 10 must do activities in Kampala. Visitors can enjoy a remarkable 3-6 hour ride through the city while exploring various iconic sites of the city. While on a boda boda tour, your safety should be key consideration. To ensure you enjoy a safe and secure boda boda excursion through the city, expect to wear a helmet.

Visit Namugongo Martyrs Shrine

Situated 15 km from Kampala is an iconic Martyrs’ shrine, which serves both as a religious and historical site. On a guided Kampala city tour, a visit to Namugongo Martyrs Shrine should not be missed. It is at Namugongo where over 45 Christian converts, including 22 Catholics and 23 Anglicans, were murdered by Kabaka Mwanga between 1885 and 1887. Each year 1000s of pilgrims gather at the shrines to commemorate the lives of those who died for their faith.

Kabaka’s Lake tour

A visit to Kabaka’s Lake should be part of your excursions since the place is placed among the 10 must do activities in Kampala. Located within the reach of the city centre, the Kabaka’s Lake is one of East Africa’s biggest man-made Lakes. The lake also features among the historical and cultural spots. The lake is rich in some interesting bird species and stunning surrounding places.

Culinary cooking experience

If you are interested in hands-on experiences, then joining the traditional food cooking tours in Kampala should be a must. You can be taken through the entire process of preparing local food, for instance, Luwombo. The stages include harvesting the foodstuffs and bringing them, peeling, and later cooking. What you cook is what you get to enjoy, to feel the authentic taste of what you prepared with expert guidance.

Ndere Cultural Village tour

Visit the Ndere village to experience the unlimited vibe of Ugandan cultures and traditions. At Ndere, expect an incredible treat of unique cultural dances and performances. These can be showcased by various traditional dance troops in Uganda. Each cultural/traditional dance performance signifies something exceptional. Plan and book with us your dream tour operator to experience what makes Kampala an exceptional city.

Sándor Jakubinyi

14:31 22 Feb 24

2019 megigazulás

12:45 21 Feb 24

We went on a two-week trip with my family, organised by Coleb from Standard Safaris.

I had my concerns about organised trips, but this one didn’t justify any of those. Everything went very smoothly, even when some problems arose with one of the cars it got fixed by next morning, the accomodations were clean and comfortable, the programs were exciting and well-balanced - everything was done to a truly high standard.

If you plan to visit Uganda and are looking for a guide, I warmly recommend Coleb and his team. In case you have a choice of drivers, go for Godwin, his presence made this trip even more enjoyable - cheerful, helpful, good sense of humour, generally a great person. Just look for the guy with a big smile and big heart:)

Bert Simoens

09:38 08 Jan 24

We recently embarked on a safari adventure with Standard Safaris in Uganda, which was truly exceptional. Our guide, Yonah, was outstanding - his kindness, knowledge, and discretion significantly enhanced our experience. He was the heart of our trip.

The local company's planning was offering a tailor-made journey that matched our interests. We saw an array of wildlife in Murchison, enjoyed rafting at Jinja, and experienced mountain biking at Sipi. A visit to Kidepo National Park was a highlight and comes highly recommended.

The vehicle provided was comfortable and reliable. We highly recommend Standard Safaris for anyone seeking an unforgettable safari in Uganda. Their professionalism and the exceptional guidance of staff like Yonah make them an great choice.

Michał Kostrzewa

00:41 15 Nov 23

We are all extremely grateful Standard Safaris for an incredible East Africa experience. I recently booked a custom trip for group of 8 people, including an 8-year-old boy, from Kampala through Queen Elizabeth National Park and on to Rwanda and Burundi. Coleb delivered on everything that was discussed and agreed upon beforehand.

The car provided was in great condition and our driver Meddy went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable, informed, and had the best possible time. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. All local services were inlcuded in (reasonable) price that we agreed, so there was no need to worry about payments during the 6 day trip. Also Standard Safaris agreed took care about safety and security by helping us organize armed ranger while in the park.

The whole trip was hassle-free and smooth. We saw amazing wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP, took in the sights of Rwanda and Burundi, and made lifelong memories.

I would happily book with Standard Safaris again in a heartbeat and recommend them wholeheartedly to anyone looking for the best East Africa trip. They provide top-notch service while ensuring you have an incredible, customized experience. If you want a hassle-free, flawlessly organized African adventure, Standard Safaris is the tour operator to book with.

Ivan Nammanda

18:31 27 Oct 23

Very organized travel operator who chose awesome guide to make our trip wonderful.

We booked a nine days trip with Standard Safaris and all was perfect from start to finish. Coleb was very prompt at replying and easy to liaise with ahead of the trip. We had done a lot of research and had an itinerary in mind and Coleb helped us to put everything together to make this happen for a very reasonable price.  On the trip we had a private vehicle for the whole tour which was exactly what we wanted. Bryan was our driver and an amazing guide - really friendly and knowledgable, working hard to find the things that we wanted to see and quickly understanding what was of interest to us/how much information to give.

Would highly recommend a trip to Uganda with Standard Safaris. We are definitely coming back soon!

MUGAIGA KENNETH

18:01 27 Oct 23

The company has very courteous tour guides with wide knowledge of fauna and frola in the whole of East Africa.
The choice of safari Lodges is good with first class treatment.
Game drive security is assured.
Almost The whole of September I was traversing through DRC, Uganda,and Rwanda on a gorilla tour and wildlife expedition.
Everything was arranged and booked perfectly by Standard Safaris.
The owner, Coleb was always helpful whenever we needed to ask questions about this gorilla safari in Uganda and beyond.
It was a complex expedition but Standard safaris and Coleb made it look amazingly easy.
I’ll recommend Standard safaris 200%, for all gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and wildlife tours in east africa.

travel uganda

16:35 27 Oct 23

This is so far the best gorilla trekking company in Uganda, and africa, by far. I had a wonderful time with Standard Safaris as a solo traveler.
My guide was excellent and our safari planner, Coleb was quick with responses and the prices were very friendly.
I’ll definitely book with Standard safaris on my next gorilla tour in Rwanda and Uganda.