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Tourist Places to Visit in Kampala, Uganda, North Africa, Africa

Tourist Places to Visit in Kampala, Uganda, North Africa, Africa

Kampala is the capital and largest city of the African country, Uganda. It is located on the northern shore of the world’s largest tropical lake, Lake Victoria, in the Central Region of Uganda. Located at 00°18′49″ N 32°34′52″ E, the city of Kampala comprises five boroughs, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division, Lubaga Division, Kampala Central Division and Kawempe Division.

Kampala is noted for many of its distinct characteristics, like standing on seven hills, having one of the premiere universities in Central and Eastern Africa, Makerere University and being a site of the blend of many renowned manmade and natural attractions, including Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

History of Kampala:

What is today’s Kampala was the favorite hunting place of the Kabaka (king) of Buganda, Mutesa I, prior to the British rule in the region and then it was home to a large number of antelopes, particularly impalas, which may later have been to become a way to get the current name. The city began to develop by becoming the capital of the Buganda kingdom in the 19^th century.

How to reach Kampala?

Kampala is served by Entebbe International Airport with scheduled flights from Johannesburg, Istanbul, Doha, Kigali, Dar es Salaam, Amsterdam, Dubai, Cairo, London and Brussels. The airport is situated near the town of Entebbe, around 40 km southwest of Kampala. It costs around 70,000 USh by taxi and around 2,500Ush by minibus from the airport to Kampala.

Although Boda Bodas are not a secure option, it is widely used for local and intercity travel in Kampala. Taxis and rental cars are also gettable.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Kampala:

The population of Kampala is formed by many ethnic communities, dominated by the Baganda, who covers around 60% of the total population.

Many nice traditional markets can be seen in Kampala, including Owino market and Nakasero market, with an array of Ugandan specialties. Some mid-range restaurants in Kampala include:

New York Kitchen
Cafe Javas
Fang Fang Chinese

Things to do in Kampala:

Jet-Boating
Visiting zoo
City tours

Places to see in Kampala:

Kasubi Tombs:

UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kasubi Tombs is the final resting place of four kabakas or kings of Buganda Kingdom. Visitors are allowed inside this tomb house with a prior permission, where personal belongings and portraits of the buried kings are exhibited.

Uganda National Cultural Centre:

The Uganda National Cultural Centre is a perfect place to find the real culture of Uganda. It features two parts, the National Theatre and the Nommo Gallery and creates a stage for local art talents and also exhibits great works of many renowned foreign artists.

Uganda National Museum:

The Uganda National Museum originated with an objective of promoting the Ugandan culture in 1908. It is mainly concentrated on showcasing the ethnological, natural history and traditional life of Uganda with a nice collection of artifacts, musical instruments, hunting equipments and artworks.

Gaddafi National Mosque:

The Gaddafi National Mosque is one of the recommended places to see in Kampala, which was probably constructed with the fund of former Libyan President, Gaddafi. However, where visitors can climb up the tower to have a great view of the city. Visitors should pay 10’000 UGX as entrance fee.

Cathedrals in Kampala:

Kampala is the site of many historical and magnificent cathedrals and the most famous are Namirembe Kathedrale and Rubaga-Kathedrale, both are splendid structures. Shouldn’t be missed.

List of other places of interest in and around Kampala include:

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Ndere Centre
Namugongo Shrine
Destreet Art Gallery
Forest Park Resort
Casino Simba
Wonder World Amusement Park
Forest Park
Independence Monument
Batwa Cultural Heritage
Lubiri Palace

Best time to visit Kampala:

The climate of Kampala is classified as tropical monsoon with two wet seasons annually. The most popular time to visit Kampala is from December to March and from June to September.

Hotels in Kampala:

Kampala houses dozens of accommodation options, ranging from budget guest houses and lodges to five star world class hotels with superior amenities. Price and facilities vary from hotel to hotel and on season. Though advance booking is preferred. Some top end hotels in Kampala include:

Hotel Le Petit Village
Emin Pasha Hotel
Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort
Lake Victoria Serena Resort
Golf Course Hotel
Pineapple Bay Resort
Apricot Guest House
Protea Hotel Kampala
Silver Springs Hotel
Grand Global Hotel
Kampala Sheraton Hotel
Shangri-La Hotel Uganda Ltd
Metropole Hotel Kampala
Kabira Country Club
Kampala Serena Hotel

Kasese Tourist Places to Visit in Kasese, Uganda, Kampala, West Africa, Africa

Kasese Tourist Places to Visit in Kasese, Uganda, Kampala, West Africa, Africa

Kasese is a town in the Western Uganda region of Uganda, located around 350 km west of the national capital, Kampala. It is Renzururu sub-region’s largest town and also serves as the seat of Kasese District. The King of Rwenzururu owns heritage palace in Kasese. Kasese is well known for its nearness with the Rwenzori Mountains, Rwenzori National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park and it also draws tourists for its vibrant nightlife.

Kasese is situated around 30 km from the town of Hima, where Uganda’s 2^nd largest cement manufacturer, Hima Cement Limited, is based. Kasese is geographically positioned between 0°11′ N latitude and 30°05′ E longitude, at an elevation of around 1,000 meters.

Connectivity to Kasese:

Kasese is served by Kasese Airport, located around 2 km away from the town centre. Scheduled flights are rare to see at the airport but it handles seasonal flights for tourists. Kasese is located around 260 km west of the country’s most important airport, Entebbe International Airport, where flights to many prominent cities are available, including to Dubai, Cairo, London, Dar es Salaam, Doha and Johannesburg.

Kasese also has a good road network connecting it to Kampala and other major towns in the country. Minibuses are mainly used for local travel in Kasese.

Food and shopping in Kasese:

Rwenzori Art Centre is an art gallery in Kasese, where well displaced local art and craft can be seen and purchased. There is also a coffee bar. Shopping in Kasese can be done at Kasese Central Market.

Here are nice restaurants in Kasese:

Modern Foods Restaurant
Queen’s Pavilion Telecentre and Cafe
White House
Jambo Cafe

What to do in Kasese?

Hiking
Mountain climbing
Pearls of Uganda Katwe Village Tour

What to see in Kasese?

Palace in Kasese:

Palace in Kasese belongs to the King of the kingdom of Rwenzururu. It is one of the landmarks as well as tourist attractions of Kasese.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park:

UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rwenzori Mountains National Park is spread over an area of 1,000 sq. km, featuring a diverse geographical characteristics like waterfalls, lakes, and glaciers, most importantly the 3^rd highest mountain peak of Africa. The park is located few kilometers west of Kasese.

Queen Elizabeth National Park:

The Queen Elizabeth National Park holds the dignity of the most visited national park of Uganda, is situated very close to the town of Kasese. Established in 1954, the park houses around 500 bird species and 95 mammal species and is also famous among nature enthusiasts for its volcanic cones and deep craters. It is worth a trip.

Kyambura Game Reserve:

The Kyambura Game Reserve is the site of a wide range of African animals, including vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus and baboons. The reserve forms the part of Queen Elizabeth National Park and is located few kilometers away from Kasese.

Kasese Central Market:

Like many Ugandan towns, Kasese also holds a grand traditional market with a wide selection of local handicraft products, traditional clothes, leather bags and food packets. All are affordable.

List of other places of interest in and around Kasese includes:

Murchison Falls National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Kibale National Park
Mount Sabinyo
Igongo Cultural Centre
Kanyanchu Visitor Centre
Polish Cemetery Masindi
Kitagata Hot Springs
Kyambura Gorge
Virunga Volcanoes
Lake Mutanda
Lake Mburo National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Best time to visit Kasese:

Kasese can be visited throughout the year, especially for outdoor activities from December to February is the ideal time.

Where to stay in Kasese?

Being a popular tourist destination, Kasese offers numerous well facilitated accommodation options for visitors with a blend of traditional and modern amenities. Some recommended hotels in Kasese are as follows:

Sandton Hotel Kasese
Farmland Safari Resort
Rwenzori International Hotel
White House Hotel
Hotel Margherita
Virina Garden Hotel
Mbara Safari Lodge and Resort
Marafiki Safari Lodge
Rwenzori The Gardens Hotel
Ruboni Community Camp
Equator Snow Lodge

Places to Visit in Kabalega Falls (Murchison Falls), Uganda, Africa

Places to Visit in Kabalega Falls (Murchison Falls), Uganda, Africa

Murchison Falls National Park, also called Kabalega National Park, is a prominent national park in Uganda, covering an area of 3,480 square kilometers. It is situated in the northwestern part of the country, on the northeastern shore of Lake Albert. The park is dominated by a wonderful natural beauty Murchison Falls. The park is bordered by the Bugungu Wildlife Reserve to the west and Karuma Game Reserve to the east and these three nature reserves together form the Murchison Falls Conservation Area.

Masindi is the nearest city to Murchison Falls National Park. The major animal species in the park include Giraffes, Cape buffalos, Elephants, Uganda Kobs, Leopards and Antelopes.

Connectivity to Murchison Falls National Park:

Kabalega Falls Airport is the airport serving Murchison Falls National Park with seasonal flights from Entebbe and many other major African destinations. Murchison Falls National Park is located around 370 km north of Uganda’s prime airport, Entebbe International Airport.

Buses generally ply between Murchison Falls National Park and all the major Ugandan cities and its number substantially increases during high season from all the prime destinations of the country.

Food and shopping in Murchison Falls National Park:

Boomu Womens Group is a community in the area of Murchison Falls National Park, offering local crafts, drinks, snacks and food for visitors visiting Murchison Falls National Park at reasonable prices.

What to do in Murchison Falls National Park?

Hiking
Game drives
Chimp walks
Birding
Mountain climbing
Camping

What to see in and around Murchison Falls National Park?

Murchison Falls:

The Murchison Falls is the highlight of Murchison Falls National Park and got its name from the President of the Royal Geographical Society, Sir Roderick Murchison. This spectacular natural beauty can be explored best through a guided tour.

Bugungu Wildlife Reserve:

The Bugungu Wildlife Reserve adjoins Murchison Falls National Park in the west, located on the shore of Lake Albert. It is a part of Murchison Falls Conservation Area and spans over an area of 748 square kilometers. The reserve is mainly famous for Uganda kobs and chimpanzees.

Karuma Wildlife Reserve:

Covering an area of 720 square kilometers, the Karuma Wildlife Reserve is situated to the east of Murchison Falls National Park. The reserve is highlighted by Karuma Falls, a source for Karuma Power Station, which is expected to be the largest hydropower station in Uganda by 2014.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary:

The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is situated around 70 km south of Murchison Falls National Park and covers an area of 7,000 hectares, home to around 40 mammal and reptilian species, including Rhinos, monkeys, antelopes, and hippopotamuses.

List of other places of interest in and around Murchison Falls National Park includes:

Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kibale National Park
Rwenzori Moutains National Park
Lake Mburo National Park
Igongo Cultural Centre
Kanyanchu Visitor Centre
Pece War Memorial Stadium in Gulu
Gulu Central Market
TAKS Community Art Centre
Ajai Game Reserve
Fort Patiko
Arua Central Market
Arua Mall
West Nile Golf Club
Barifa Forest

Best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park:

Except rainy seasons from April to May and October to November, all the months of the year are ideal to visit Murchison Falls National Park.

Where to stay in Murchison Falls National Park?

Murchison Falls National Park is well served by many upgraded lodging facilities, mainly lodges that offer all the basic facilities and authentic Ugandan and international food. The major hotels in and around Murchison Falls National Park include:

Sambiya River Lodge
Murchison River Lodge
Bwana Tembo Safari Camp
Paraa Safari Lodge
Chobe Safari Lodge
Fort Murchison
Nile Safari Lodge
Budongo Eco Lodge
Pakuba Safari Lodge
Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch
Red Chilli Rest Camp

Top Tourist Places to Visit in Kabale, Uganda, Kampala, West Africa, Africa

Top Tourist Places to Visit in Kabale, Uganda, Kampala, West Africa, Africa

Kabale is a city belonging to the Western Uganda region of the African country, Uganda. It is situated around 420 km southwest of Kampala, the capital and largest city of Uganda. It is the administrative centre of Kabale District in Kigezi sub-region. Kabale is basically a market town and is famous among tourists as the gateway to the prominent natural tourist destinations Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which are renowned for mountain gorilla tracking. Ihimba Hot Spring and Lake Bunyonyi are other famous tourist attractions near Kabale.

Kabale is also noted as a commercial town with branches of many prominent banks, including Bank of Baroda, Barclays Bank and Kenya Commercial Bank. Kabale geographically coordinates with 01°15′00″ S latitude and 29°59′24″ E longitude and is located around 2,000 metres above sea level.

How to reach Kabale?

There is an airport in Kabale, situated around 5 km away from the heart of the town. The airport receives private and charter flights only. Better if international tourists reach Entebbe International Airport first and then take bus or rental car from there to Kabale. The Entebbe International Airport is the most important airport of Uganda, handling flights from Cairo, London, Dar es Salaam, Doha, Johannesburg, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Dubai and many other world cities.

The local transportation of Kabale is served by minibuses, rental cars and bikes.

Food and Shopping in Kabale:

K.M Boutique and Royal Supermaket are the two well known shopping centres in Kabale. Visitors can refer following restaurants to have quality Ugandan and international food:

Cafe Royal
Golf-Side Camp-Site & Restaurant
Lake View Coffee House

Things to do in Kabale:

Edirisa Private Day Tours
Visiting national parks
Traditional shopping

Places to see in Kabale:

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park:

The Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the prominent tourist attractions in Uganda. The town of Kabale is situated around 75 km northeast of the park and is well connected by a direct road link to Mgahinga. The park is mainly famous for a large number of mountain gorillas.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park:

Located around 70 km northwest of Kabale, the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a great blend of montane and lowland forest. This UNESCO World Heritage Site houses around 120 species of mammals, 348 bird species and 220 butterfly species. The most famous activity in the park is gorilla trekking.

Ihimba Hot Springs:

Ihimba Hot Springs is located on kabiulil-Katuna Road near the town of Kabale. Featuring typical healing properties, Ihimba Hot Springs draws a substantial number of visitors, both locals and tourists.

Lake Bunyonyi:

The Lake Bunyonyi is located between the towns of Kisoro and Kabale, measuring a length of 25 km and width of 7 km. The lake is home to many small islands within like Punishment Island, Bushara Island, Kyahugye Island and Sharp’s Island. Lake Bunyonyi is located around 7 km west of Kabale.

Kabale University:

The Kabale University is a private university in Kabale, which trains more than 3,000 students currently. Established in 2001, the university is also famous for different cultural activities apart from offering latest courses.

List of other places of interest in and around Kabale include:

M Boutique
Nature Uganda Office
The Kabale Campus of Uganda Martyrs University
Kabale Airport
Murchison Falls National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kibale National Park
Rwenzori Moutains National Park
Lake Mburo National Park
Igongo Cultural Centre
Kanyanchu Visitor Centre
Polish Cemetery Masindi
Mount Gahinga
Mount Muhavura
Lake Mburo National Park

Best time to visit Kabale

Probably the best time to visit Kabale is during the ending and beginning months of the year, when weather remains dry and supportive for outdoor activities.

Accommodation options in Kabale:

There are plenty of tourist favor hotels in Kabale with an objective of providing memorable hospitality services to visitors and some of them are listed below: