Kampala City Tour - Half Day (Private)
- 6–7 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Experience the heart of Kampala on this immersive half-day city tour, beginning with the bustling energy of the city center at landmarks like the Independence Monument, Nakasero Market, and the Uganda National Cultural Centre. Step into the rich traditions of the Buganda Kingdom at the Kabaka’s Palace and along the Royal Mile, absorbing stories of kings and historic monuments. Pause atop the Gadhafi Mosque for sweeping 360-degree views of the city’s seven hills, then journey to the sacred Kasubi Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to connect with Uganda’s royal and cultural heritage before returning to your hotel or preferred location.
Inclusions
What's included
- An English-speaking Driver-guide
- Mineral water provided on tour
- Transport in a 4WD Minibus plus fueling
- Entrance fee to planned stopovers
What's not
- Lunch
- Drop-off outside Kampala radius
- Optional activities at stopovers
- Expenses of a personal nature
Itinerary
The tour begins with uptown Kampala Sights. Explore key landmarks of Uptown Kampala, including the Independence Monument, Mutesa II Monument, World War II Monument, Parliamentary Building, Bank of Uganda (est. 1966), Uganda National Cultural Centre (est. 1959), and Kampala Capital City Authority headquarters. Visit Nakasero Market, established in 1895 and relocated to its current city centre location in 1905. Along the way, admire Hindu temples, including Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, and other culturally significant sites.
Buganda Kingdom Tour. From Kampala’s CBD, continue to the Buganda Kingdom and visit the Kabaka’s (King’s) Palace. Explore the Idi Amin Armoury, view historical machine guns, and browse the palace pictorial while learning about Buganda’s rich history. Drive past Kabaka’s Lake and visit the Nantawetwa Monument, a site opened only when the King travels from the palace to the Buganda Parliament. Continue along the Royal Mile, sightseeing landmarks such as Bulange (Buganda Parliament), the Kabaka’s Monument, Zakaria Kisingiri House, and the Buganda Clan Symbols.
Gadhafi Mosque and City Views. As you continue through 1980s-era Kampala, stop at the Gadhafi Mosque, a gift from the late Col. Muammar Gadhafi. Climb the minaret for a breathtaking 360-degree view of Kampala’s famous seven hills, taking in landmarks such as Fort Lugard (est. 1800 by Capt. Frederick Lugard) and Old Kampala Senior Secondary School, where Rwanda’s President Kagame once studied.
Kasubi Tombs (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Next, visit the Kasubi Tombs, a revered spiritual and cultural site for the Baganda. The tombs serve as the burial ground for the last four Kabakas (Kings) of Buganda and remain a center for the royal family. Traditional rituals and cultural practices are still observed here, preserving Buganda’s rich heritage through generations.
Makerere University Sightseeing. From Kasubi, drive through Makerere University, Uganda’s largest and oldest academic institution (est. 1922) and Africa’s third oldest university. Explore landmarks such as the Old University Library (est. 1949), the Main Administration Building (since 1941), and the Education Monument.
Kalerwe Market and the Baha’i Temple. On your way to the Baha’i Temple, pass through Kalerwe Market, Kampala’s vibrant second-largest local market, perfect for snapping photos or picking up fresh fruits. Continue to Kikaya Hill to visit the Baha’i Temple, a unique spiritual landmark in Africa. Take a moment for peaceful reflection inside the temple and wander through the lush gardens, capturing memorable photos. Important Notice: The temple is closed on Mondays.
Tour the Uganda National Museum. Visit the Uganda National Museum, East Africa’s first and oldest museum, established in 1908 and relocated to its current site in 1954. Explore its rich displays of Uganda’s history, culture, and heritage, a perfect highlight of your city tour. After a lunch break at a local restaurant, continue to the Martyrs’ Shrine, an important spiritual and historical site commemorating Uganda’s Christian martyrs. Conclude your tour at the Uganda National Museum. Afterwards, be dropped-off at your hotel in Kampala, or opt for a transfer outside the city at an additional cost.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
5.0
- 512
- 40
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- 10
Ratings come from 12 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Pickup
- Pickup is included for everyone.
- Tickets
- Tickets are redeemed at a different location from the meeting point.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- Gazelle Safari Company
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
How it compares in Kampala
- Its from-price is 88% below the median of the 771 experiences we list in Kampala.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 125 of 771.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Kampala
Kampala is Uganda's capital, spread across low hills near Lake Victoria, with royal tombs, cathedrals and mosques, busy markets and a lively music scene.
Kampala is built on a scattering of hills in southern Uganda, a short distance north of Lake Victoria. The Kasubi Tombs, the burial ground of the Buganda kings, are a World Heritage Site. The Uganda Museum is one of the oldest in East Africa and holds musical instruments and crafts. The hilltop Namirembe and Rubaga cathedrals, and the National Mosque on Old Kampala Hill with its minaret, each give views over the city.
Top-ranked sights in Kampala: Uganda National Mosque, Nakasero Market, Lake Victoria.
Special offers in Kampala
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.















