Overview
Take a trip to Kampala on your Uganda Vacation
Kampala, located near the shores of Lake Victoria, is Uganda’s largest capital city and is known as the centre of Uganda’s political, commercial and academic world.
In the mid-19th century, Muteesa I, the Kabaka (King) of Buganda chose the area where Kampala now exists as his favourite hunting ground because the surrounding hills and wetlands proved to be an ideal breeding ground for impalas. When the British arrived, they named one of Kampala's seven hills “The Hill of the Impala” and as a result, the English name, combined with the local language resulted in the town being called Kempala.
It grew into a city that became the capital of the Buganda kingdom. While it was severely damaged during the Uganda-Tanzania war of the late 1970s, Kempala has succeeded in rebuilding itself and maintains a forward-thinking mentality.
Today Kempala is considered one of Africa’s “greenest cities” due to the abundance of parks, gardens and golf courses that are found in the city centre when travelling to Uganda. The area is also known for its incredible nightlife offering many restaurants and casinos. New buildings including hotels, banks, shopping centres, academic institutions and more have made Kempala one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities and an excellent base to begin exploring Uganda.
Today Kempala is considered one of Africa’s “greenest cities” due to the abundance of parks, gardens and golf courses that are found in the city centre when travelling to Uganda. The area is also known for its incredible nightlife offering many restaurants and casinos. New buildings including hotels, banks, shopping centres, academic institutions and more have made Kempala one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities and an excellent base to begin exploring Uganda.
At a Glance
Languages
English, SwahiliCurrency
Ugandan Shilling (UGX)What do the experts say?
The staff at the lodges are all exceptional and really go out of their way to make your stay memorable. In one lodge, the wake up call included him singing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" to me.
Gorilla trekking is such a unique experience - it can only be done in this part of the world. While the gorilla trekk is such a highlight, the surrounding areas are so beautiful it is worth considering spending more time in destination.
The Ugandan capital - Kampala, is often the sta...
A vendor in the markets of Kampala
People on the streets of Kampala
A truck of bananas near Kampala
Gaddafi mosque is a photo opportunity on Kampal...
Travel Stories
Get Inspired About Your Trip to Uganda
Unlock more by subscribing to our newsletter
With our newsletter, you’ll get access to regular communications that inspire you and help you explore the world your wayExclusive Savings
Insider Benefits
Trending Stories
