Outdoor Activities in Kampala
Outdoor Activities in Kampala
Kampala, Uganda’s bustling capital is not only a hub of culture and history but also a fantastic destination for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene gardens and adrenaline-filled adventures to rich cultural experiences in natural settings, Kampala offers diverse outdoor activities for all types of travelers. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful escape, an educational outing, or a thrilling adventure, the city has something special for you. Outdoor Activities in Kampala
Kampala’s vibrant energy extends beyond its urban streets to its lush green spaces, nearby water bodies, and scenic hilltops. Outdoor activities in Kampala allow visitors to connect with nature while exploring the city’s rich cultural and historical heritage. Let’s dive into the top outdoor experiences Kampala has to offer.
Explore the Uganda National Museum
Uganda Museum is the oldest museum in East Africa which was started in 1908. It was first located in Lugard’s fort on old Kampala Hill then transferred to Makerere University at the School of Industrial and Fine Arts and lastly to Kitante Hill where it stands today. It emerged when Governor George Wilson called for “all articles of interest in Uganda”. The museum is a collection of traditional culture and Ugandan Music with all kinds of musical instruments, archaeology, history, science, and natural history.
The Museum is one of the top and best places today you can visit in your Kampala city tour because it gives you the real picture of Uganda and its people.
Visit Kabaka’s Lake
This Lake is 200 ft deep and is the largest man-made/excavated lake in Africa. The Kabaka’s Lake is found in Ndeeba and was built by Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda. The King wanted to connect the palace to Lake Victoria while also providing an escape route in case of a major war or revolt by his subjects. The Kabaka took part in the digging process to encourage his subjects. To this day, clan leaders of Buganda consider the lake sacred and occasionally gather to clean it. This beautiful lake is now a tourist attraction on its own and offers a perfect atmosphere for relaxation, boat rides/racing, and bird watching. There are several accommodation facilities around the lake for those who wish to spend more time there.
Visit the Kabaka’s palace
Situated in Mengo, Kabaka’s palace consists of two big palaces, the main palace in Bulange, and because of this, the Mengo area has become one of the most splendid sites that are worth visiting while on Kampala city tours. It features unique history, and architecture and also offers the best views of Bulange Hill. The Kabaka’s palace is the official capital of the Buganda kingdom and different events are conducted in this area. The colonial power of the palace holds too much history of Buganda’s ancient Kingdoms.
Nature Walks at the Ndere Cultural Centre
The Ndere Centre: This cultural Center is found outside the city center in an area known as Kisasi. The Centre showcases the cultural heritage of all tribes in Uganda using traditional music, dance, and drama among others. The Ndere Centre offers opportunities to learn how to cook local dishes or dance to local tunes. If you are not interested in learning the local dances, you can just sit back and watch beautiful traditional dance performances from the famous Ndere Troupe.
Experience A Day in Owino Market
This is currently the largest market in the whole of East Africa. If you are not careful, you could get lost while trying to make your way through the market. However, it is worth the risk as you are bound to find lots of interesting things on display. This includes clothes, electronics, food, and fruits. One thing is for sure, you must have the guts to bargain and do not bring any valuables along.
Visit Uganda Martyrs’ Shrine
The Uganda Martyrs’ Shrine Namugongo is one of the largest Christian pilgrimage destinations in Africa. It is dedicated to the 22 Martyrs who were killed on the orders of the former Kabaka Mwanga II between 1885 and 1887. On June 3 Uganda celebrates Martyrs’ Day. The national public holiday commemorates the 22 Catholic and 23 Anglican martyrs killed during that period. If you are in Kampala around this time, you are likely to see thousands of people making the pilgrimage to the site.
A Visit to Kasubi Tombs
Visiting the famous Kasubi Tombs will no doubt give you an insight into the rich history of the East African Country. The site is home to the burial grounds of members of the special warrior community and past royalties of the Buganda Empire.
The Tomb is perhaps the most important political and spiritual site in the country. In 2001, it was listed among UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. Unfortunately, 2010 witnessed a fire incident that took out almost half of the Tomb’s major buildings.
Kampala’s nightlife and festivals
Uganda is known as a country that never sleeps. For party lovers, visiting Uganda’s party life is something not to miss out on. Because to fully immerse yourself in the life of a place, seeing how the people live their night plays a big role. This is not for everyone as not all people like the nightlife experience, this is only for the lovers of music, dancing (clubbing,) and alcohol lovers. Events plans always organize parties and enjoyment festivals in Uganda for basically enjoyment and fun. Some of the festivals in Uganda include; the Nyege nyege festival which happens annually, Roast and Rhythms, Rolex festivals, Bakiga Nation Festival, and Kampala City Festival to mention a few.
Take a Boda Boda ride
Taking a boda boda ride around any part of Uganda is a unique experience of transport. Boda-boda motorcycles are the most popular quick forms of transport in Uganda. They are especially the easiest way of getting around Kampala in the peak traffic times. There are safe companies that we highly recommend and these include; Uber, Safe Boda, and Bolt.
Lake Victoria for the beaches and boat cruises
Lake Victoria is one of the two largest freshwater lakes in the world. A boat cruise on Lake Victoria can take you to some of the best spots in Kampala and Entebbe. Most boat cruises end up in the Ngamba and Ssese Islands. There are some companies offering boat cruises around the lake at an affordable fee. Ensure that you go with a reputable company offering well-maintained boats. Most of the boats stop at different landing sites and islands for sightseeing, refreshments, and lunch (fried tilapia and chips). If you aren’t interested in boat cruises, you can relax and swim in the numerous private/hotel-owned beaches in Ggaba and Munyonyo.
The beaches include KK Resort Beach, One Love Beach, Speke Resort Munyonyo, Gaba Beach Hotel, Mulungi Kabaka’s Recreation Center, and Kawuku Water Sports Club. These beaches and facilities offer opportunities to take part in sport fishing, birding, canoeing, horseback riding, and much more. You should also read our article about the best things to do in Mombasa.
Go shopping
Last but not least, one of the most important things to do in Kampala is to go downtown and buy something locally made by the people of Uganda.
Many Craft shops are available in the city or if u cannot manage to go downtown because of the congestion, you can try going to Nakasero market and other places like Ntinda, Bukoto, and Wampewo Avenue for Crafts and Art galleries.
Malls like Acacia, Lugogo, Garden City, Freedom City, Forest Mall, and Oasis Mall provide a great choice for shopping lovers where you will find anything from clothes, food & electronics.
Getting Around Kampala
There are 3 main ways of getting around Kampala.
Boda Boda.
Motorbikes, locally known as Boda-boda carry one passenger and are quite important because of the way they can easily dodge traffic and get you to the place you’re going faster. However, a helmet is a MUST as a Safety precaution.
Public Taxi.
Public taxi vans carry up to 14 passengers and are also common in town and in the neighboring areas. They are cheap and can take you to most of the places in Kampala.
Taxis can be got from the Old Taxi Park or the new Taxi Park, in downtown Kampala.
Private Car Hire.
Special hires or Cabs are also now common. The easiest way to get around cheaply is by hailing an Uber private taxi via their mobile app.
You can also organize for a private car and driver to take you around Kampala. Tour operators like ourselves provide such services with all kinds of cars and very professional drivers to accompany you.
Conclusion
Kampala’s outdoor activities cater to a variety of interests, making the city a dynamic destination for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and cultural enthusiasts. From serene lakes and lush gardens to thrilling adventures and cultural landmarks, Kampala offers plenty of opportunities to connect with the great outdoors.
Plan your visit today and discover why Uganda’s capital is not just a gateway to adventure but an outdoor destination in its own right!
Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a Local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Moreover, Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a business for Ugandan natives. We specialize in life-changing experiences, sustainable tours, and holidays for all East African countries. Also, we are members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators and with registration from the Uganda Tourism Board. We have a good and long working relationship with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. We are making booking your gorilla permits and gorilla trekking safari easy. Safari Vacations and Travel Services is also high in Trip Advisor reviews.
