Kampala
Kampala travel guide: where to stay and what to know
By the Zen Motel team · Updated
In short
Kampala is the capital and largest city of Uganda, spread across a series of hills near the northern shore of Lake Victoria. Most international visitors arrive through Entebbe International Airport to the south. The best area to stay depends on where you need to be each day, because traffic, not distance, decides how long journeys take.
Kampala at a glance
| Country | Uganda (capital city) |
|---|---|
| Currency | Ugandan shilling (UGX) |
| Languages | English and Swahili are official; Luganda is widely spoken in Kampala |
| Time zone | East Africa Time, UTC+3, with no daylight saving |
| Main airport | Entebbe International Airport (EBB), south of the city |
| Dialling code | +256 |
| Driving | On the left |
| Power sockets | Type G (three rectangular pins, as in the UK), 240 V |
Where to stay in Kampala
Kampala grew outward from its hills, and each part of the city has a different character. There is no single best area: choose based on where your meetings, events or sightseeing are, and how you plan to get around.
Central Business District and Nakasero
The commercial and government core, around Kampala Road and Nakasero Hill. Convenient for offices, banks and ministries, and busy on weekdays.
Kololo
A leafy, residential hill east of the centre with many embassies, restaurants and Acacia Mall. Popular with diplomats and business visitors.
Old Kampala, Mengo and Namirembe
The historic western side of the city: the Uganda National Mosque, Namirembe Cathedral and the seat of the Buganda Kingdom at Mengo. Good for heritage sightseeing.
Ntinda, Naguru and Bugolobi
Mostly residential neighbourhoods to the east with shopping centres, cafes and a quieter pace than the centre.
Kabalagala, Kansanga and Muyenga
South-east of the centre, along Ggaba Road. Known for restaurants and some of the city's liveliest nightlife.
Munyonyo and Ggaba
Lakeside areas on the shore of Lake Victoria in the south of the city, with boat trips and a more resort-like feel.
Before you book, check the travel time from the accommodation to the places you need to reach at the hours you will be travelling. A short distance on the map can take a long time in morning and evening rush hours.
Types of accommodation in Kampala
International and large hotels
Conference facilities, restaurants and pools, at the top of the price range.
Mid-range hotels
Full-service hotels with restaurants and meeting rooms at moderate prices.
Motels and guesthouses
Smaller properties focused on the essentials: a clean private room, a bathroom, parking and a reception. Usually better value than a full-service hotel when you mainly need a comfortable place to sleep and work.
Serviced apartments
Self-contained units with kitchens, often preferred for longer stays.
Whatever you choose, confirm the basics directly with the property before you travel: the exact location, the nightly rate for your dates, check-in and check-out times, how to pay, and whether the room has a private bathroom, air conditioning and Wi-Fi.
Getting around Kampala
Visitors usually get around by special hire (private taxi), ride-hailing apps or boda boda (motorcycle taxi). Shared minibus taxis run fixed routes and are the cheapest option, but take some getting used to. The visitor guide covers each option and arriving from Entebbe in more detail.
Things to do in Kampala
Kampala rewards a couple of days of exploring: Buganda heritage sites such as the Kasubi Tombs and Mengo, the cathedrals and the National Mosque on their hilltops, the Uganda Museum, busy markets, cultural performances and Lake Victoria on the city's southern edge.