Kampala is Uganda's national and commercial capital bordering Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake. Whether you are in transit, on a business visit or a holiday, there is always something to do to enrich your stay in Uganda. Here are a few ideas of short trips and excursions that can be arranged from Kampala – Uganda’s capital.

CITY TOURS

ARTS & CULTURE TOURS
MUSEUM TOURS
AGRO TOURS

SIGHTS OF KAMPALA

This tour covers the modern city, the colorful market offering fruits, meats, vegetables, handicrafts, etc… all under one roof; the parliament buildings, Kasubi royal tombs, Ba’hai Temple, Owino Market etc. You will also visit the Uganda Museum that is adjacent to the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices.

UGANDA MARTYRS SHRINE

The Uganda Martyrs Shrine built at the spot where St. Charles Lwanga was burnt alive in Namugongo on the 3rd June, 1886. The execution of twenty six Christians at Namugongo on June 3, 1886; was the climax of the campaign against the  christian converts. 

BAHAI TEMPLE

The Bahá'í Faith in Uganda started to grow in 1951 and four years later there were 500 Bahá'ís in 80 localities, including 13 Bahá'í Local Spiritual Assemblies, representing 30 tribes, and had dispatched 9 pioneers to other African locations.

KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS

At its core on the hilltop is the former palace of the Kabakas of Buganda, built in 1882 and converted into the royal burial ground in 1884.The Kasubi Tombs in Kampala, Uganda, is the site of the burial grounds for four kabakas of Buganda.

THE UGANDA NATIONAL MUSEUM

Found on Kiira road, Kampala the Uganda Museum is home to the traditional royal regalia of the tribes that make up Uganda. A visit to the museum is an eye opener regarding the culture of the Ugandan people and their ancestry. It is in fact a bit like being stuck in a fantasy movie where the long forgotten exhibits come to life at night or transport you to an alternative universe…still it is the main museum in Kampala and for those with a passion for knowledge and artefacts (or a sense of humour) it may still be worth a visit. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday (10.00am to 6.00pm), Sunday and Public Holidays (12 Noon to 6.00pm) and entrance is 1,000 UGX (500 shillings for children) for Ugandans and 3,000 UGX  (1,500 UGX for children) for foreigners. If you want to take photos it will cost an extra 5,000 UGX and 20,000 UGX to take a video.

LAKE VICTORIA

Obviously you couldn’t come to Uganda and NOT check out the second largest freshwater lake in the world! A good way to see the lake is by taking a short boat tour on it. You can get a half day boat cruise for around US $80 from Kampala, or even out to Ngamba Chimp Island to see some wildlife (about a 45 minute trip depending on the weather). You can also get a sunset cruise for 25,000 UGX leaving from the Beach House (next to Kampala University), Ggaba at 5.30pm and arriving in Mukono at 11pm with Beach House cruises (tel: 0772435667 / 0752 280100 / 0782 282028) and I’ve heard of people asking fishermen down at the lakeside by Port Bell informally to take them out on the lake and doing a 45-minute trip to Ggaba road fish market for lunch and then back for around 40,000 UGX. Top your trip off with some fresh tilapia on the lakeside at Sssese Islands gateway beach (about 30-40mins outside Kampala off the Entebbe road) or the other numerous lakeside joints and then head up to Cassia lodge hotel (on Buziga Hill just off the Gabba road) for a cocktail to watch the sun set over the lake.

THE UGANDA NATIONAL MOSQUE

The Uganda National Mosque popular known as the Gaddaffi National Mosque is located at a hill in Old Kampala. The mosque has a sitting capacity of 15,000 worshipers making it East Africa's biggest mosque and Africa's second biggest mosque. The mosque was officially opened in 2007 and houses the offices of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council.

THE CARNIVORE

For meat lovers a trip to the Carnivore in Naguru would come in handy as you close your Kampala day trip. The restaurant serves a variety of meat that would include some game meat. In the evenings they normally have a cultural dance troupe that’s on hand to entertain guests with various local ethnic cultural dances.