Kampala City Tour: Explore Ugandan History and Local Markets in the Capital City
5.0
9 Ratings
Kampala
Embark on a private guided tour of Kampala, Uganda's capital city, and discover its rich history, vibrant local markets, historical monuments, temples, Buganda kingdom, Gadhafi mosque, Makerere University, and the Uganda National Museum.
Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Kampala - On your sightseeing tour in Kampala City, you will explore the below attractions:
    • Mutesa II Presidential monument
    • World war II monument
    • Uganda Parliament Building
    • Central Bank of Uganda: Established in 1966
    • Uganda National Cultural Centre: Established on 2nd December 1959
    • Kampala City Hall: Kampala Capital City Authority headquarters

Continue down town towards Buganda king’s palace and see:
• Nakasero Market: Established in 1895 first in Lubiri and later moved to its current location within the city center in 1905.
• Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Temple
• Usafi Market

  • Kabaka’s Palace - On your visit to Buganda Kingdom, you will explore the interesting history and culture of the Baganda. Visiting highlights such as:
    • Kabaka(king’s) palace; see the Idd Amin torture chambers, a historical machine gun, the palace pictorial, explore Buganda’s rich history and with a drive past Kabaka’s Lake.
    • Sightseeing Nantawetwa monument; built to honor the King on his straight drive from the palace to his kingdom parliament. According to the Baganda, the king is meant to move straight and that is why He’s is the only one to drive through the monument and the rest have to go around the roundabout.
    • Sightseeing Bulange (Buganda Parliament); Lukiiko hall, Kabaka’s monument, Central Broadcasting Services studios (Buganda radio) and Zakaria Kisingiri house.
    Continue driving through Mengo Town, Buganda’s principal town.

  • Gaddafi National Mosque - Your tour continues through Mengo town to OLD KAMPALA; here you will visit:
    • Gadhafi Mosque; funded by the late Col. Muammar Gadhafi as a gift to Uganda due to the friendship with Libya. The best location for a panoramic view of Kampala City.
    • Sightseeing Fort Lugard; built by Sir Fredrick Lugard in the 1800’s as his command center. As well as sightseeing Old Kampala Senior Secondary School; which is over 60 years and was once President Kagame’s school.
    A drive through Old Kampala will take you down the memory-lane of Kampala back in the 80’s, sighting old Asian residential buildings.

  • Makerere University - Approach the university via Aga Khan Schools from Old Kampala.
    MAKERERE UNIVERSITY: This is Uganda’s largest and Africa’s 3rd oldest university, started as a trade school in 1921, later turned to a technical school in 1922 and in 1963, it changed to the University Of East Africa. Later on, in 1970 it turned independent.
    Drive through the University sightseeing the:
    • Old University Library; oldest academic library in Uganda established in 1949 and serves as a National reference library.
    • Main Administration Building; completed in 1941 under the leadership of Mr. George C. Turner, the then principal.
    • Education monument next to the old main library.

  • Baha’i Temple - On exiting the University, you will approach another large local market (Kalerwe Market) see locals going about their daily hustle for a living. Admire the fresh fruits and vegetables here.
    Traverse the market, and approach Kikaya Hill – home of the Baha’i Temple.
    • Visit Baha’i Temple (closed on Mondays & Fridays): This is the only temple for Baha’i faith in Africa, located north east of Kampala on Kikaya Hill-Kyebando Central. You will access the temple for a moment of prayer and meditation and enjoy the gardens and views of Kampala’s suburbs.
    Note: No cameras and maintain silence while in the temple.

  • Uganda Museum - Your day tour ends with a visit to our last historical landmark:
    • Uganda National Museum: This is the first and oldest museum in East Africa, officially established in by the British protectorate government in 1908 and later moved to its current location in 1954, it has just turned 100 years in 2008.

From the museum you will transfer back to your origin point. End of Tour

What's Included
  • Route map
  • On-board WiFi
  • Bottled water
  • Photo coverage
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • All fees and/or taxes
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Drop-off outside our radius
  • Optional activities at stopovers
  • Expenses of a personal nature
Additional Information

FINISHES AT: UGANDA NATIONAL MUSEUM
START TIME: 08:30AM/01:00PM END TIME: 02:00PM/06:00PM

Overview of the Journey:
As Uganda’s capital and its most densely populated metropolis, Kampala holds significant cultural and historical value. The city is divided into 5 segments; Central, Kawempe (North), Makindye (South), Nakawa (East) and Rubaga (West). Kampala’s roots extend back to 1890 when it was a rudimentary urban area that saw the advent of Sir Fredrick Lugard in Old Kampala hill, subsequently in 1900 it rose to prominence as Uganda’s capital post the affirmation of the Buganda pact and by 1950, the city had its inaugural Mayor. This tour is your ticket to know Kampala, its inhabitants, its past, and its economical impact. After this tour, you’ll be spinning tales! It is a privately conducted tour adhering to social distancing and COVID-19 Health and Safety measures.

Points of Interest
Kampala’s historical structures
Local marketplace overview
Religious centers (Indian & Bahai)
Kingdom of Buganda
Gadhafi mosque
Makerere University
Uganda National Museum

Location
Kampala
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(9 Ratings)
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Caitlin_w
Feb 23, 2023
Get to know Kampala in a day! - This experience was amazing! Mathew was such a patient and informative host. His excitement toward Ugandan history, culture, etc. is evident; he is bursting with energy and knowledge. I didn’t study Ugandan history well prior to my trip to Kampala, and after this experience I feel like I have a good understanding and an interest in learning more.
Review provided by Viator
Kellyn_b
Feb 11, 2023
Kampala Day Tour. - Fun and informative tour. My guide, Matthew, was knowledgeable and entertaining. A good way to see Kampala, without question.
Review provided by Viator
Lesliep69
Nov 12, 2022
Matthew was fantastic - We took a Kampala city tour and it was excellent. Matthew was helpful, funny and very enthusiastic. We loved his company, he’s really cook. We had a hangover because of partying the night before but he made our day🙂
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Toi254
Sep 25, 2022
Best 6hrs in Kampala - I didn't have a lot of time for sight seeing in Kampala and this half tour with Gazelle Safari was the best decision ever. Mathew was my guide and he was all that and then some more. He was very polite and professional the entire time. He didn't rush me through any of the sites we visited and was very accommodating as-needed. He is very knowledgeable and learnt so much about Uganda than I would have ever thought! He is very passionate about his job too. Honestly I could go on and on about my experience but truly it was 100%. You should def book this tour and ask for Mathew. He will make you feel like you are the most important client ever!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chloe
Aug 7, 2022
Look for Mathew for an extraordinary city tour - Think you know all about Kampala? My multi-bachelors guide Mathew/Matthew will definitely suggest you otherwise (he has degrees in digital marketing, human resources, and very soon, law). To name but a few, knowledgable, critical, friendly, hospitable, are some prime qualities of Mathew. Despite only having spent half day with Mathew, I had gained a lifetime of knowledge and a lifelong friend. I am constantly overwhelmed and impressed by his passion in Kampala's history, his insights in Uganda's social situation, and his interests in sharing with me Uganda's culture. From our visits to the Kabaka's Palace, to our visits in the Uganda National Mosque and the Uganda Museum, Mathew provided all the essential information that I needed to know and provided critical answers to each question that I wished to know. Mathew knows all about the city and is also a global citizen who has in-depth knowledge of other countries, very likely even your own home country! You will be amazed as you engage in constructive conversations with Mathew. I will also have to thank you Gazelle's founder Annabel/Ann for arranging and organising this half-day tour on my last day in Uganda. This is certainly a perfect semicolon (not a full stop!) to my 8 days Uganda trip. As a solo traveller, there was never a dull moment with Mathew, who had also been entertaining, talkative and caring. Words simply cannot encapsulate how professional Mathew is. If you want something extraordinary, Mathew is the guide-to-go.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Zoey_p
Jun 14, 2022
Kampala Driving Tour - I took this tour on my own after arriving in Kampala, and it was a great way to explore the city. I learned a lot about the history and culture, and I had a great experience! My tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. The tour was by car and very comfortable, it was on time, and it was very easy to arrange/schedule.
Review provided by Viator
Leo54324
Feb 18, 2020
An absolute must in Kampala - I got a gap after a conference and wanted to squeeze in a half day tour of Kampala. After looking at all the options, decided to go Gazelle Tours. That was a great experience and fun. We visited the Bahai Temple, peaceful with awesome acoustics. After then visited to the 2nd largest mosque in Africa, interesting and a testing climb to the top of the tower. I had tried to do it, as the views are spectacular. Then off to the palace and visited Idi Amins torture chamber from the 70's. We then asked our guide to take us to a bar frequented by the average Ugandan. He then took us into the ghetto and what an experience. People there were very-friendly and so excited to see. Just over 4or5 hours had flown by. I would strongly recommend these tours and does a great job.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andrew
Jul 16, 2019
Amazing experience getting to know Kampala! - Laban and Matthew did an excellent job on this tour of Kampala. I'm a solo traveler and it was my first time in Kampala, and uganda for that matter. I quickly warmed up to Laban and Matthew, and they acted more as my close friends than people I paid to take me around! They gave me so much historical info on almost EVERY SINGLE thing we passed, and were constantly sharing their own experiences with local culture. We went to many places, including the kings palace, bahai temple, and gad mosque. Not only was it great to see these places, but the two made me feel like a movie star by having me pose in front of the buildings for some nice shots to take home! This trip is one I will not forget for my trip to kampala. Book this if you'd like to get a better idea of the past, present, and future of Kampala!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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