Kampala is a city of seven hills with chaotic but navigable traffic, excellent food, and several genuinely worthwhile things to see before or after your national park circuit. For self-drive visitors, the city presents a specific challenge: roads are not well-signed, boda-boda motorcycles fill every gap, and the concentration of roundabouts requires left-hand driving adjustment. This guide gives you the practical city navigation information and the specific destinations worth your time.
Driving in Kampala: Honest Preparation
Kampala traffic is heavy from 7–9am and 5–8pm — avoid driving into or out of the city during these hours. Peak jam on the Entebbe Road (from the airport toward the city) can turn a 40-km drive into a 2-hour ordeal during rush hour. The best strategy: arrive the city by 10am or after 9pm to avoid peak traffic. Road signs exist but are inconsistently placed — your offline Maps.me or Google Maps navigation is essential.
Boda-bodas (motorcycle taxis) treat traffic regulations as optional. They move between lanes constantly and stop without warning. Drive slowly in the city (maximum 40 km/h practical), check your blind spots constantly, and never rush a manoeuvre. Most Kampala traffic incidents involving foreign drivers result from overconfident lane changes. Take it at Kampala’s pace, not at yours.
Parking in Kampala
Safe parking near central Kampala: Garden City Mall (gated car park, CCTV), Acacia Mall (Kololo, indoor parking), and most international hotels have guarded parking. Do not leave valuables visible in a parked vehicle anywhere in Kampala — cameras, laptops, and bags left on seats are common theft targets. A hidden lock box under the seat is useful for storing small valuables. Overnight parking at your hotel is always the safest option.
Must-Visit Destinations in Kampala
- Kasubi Tombs (UNESCO World Heritage Site): The burial site of four Buganda kingdom kabakas (kings). The main structure — a massive thatched dome — was partially destroyed by fire in 2010 and is being restored. The surviving structures and the cultural weight of the site make it worth visiting. Entry: approximately USD $5.
- Gaddafi Mosque (Uganda National Mosque): The largest mosque in sub-Saharan Africa, built with Libyan funding in 2007. Non-Muslim visitors may enter outside prayer times. The minaret provides a panoramic city view. Dress modestly.
- Owino Market (St. Balikuddembe Market): One of East Africa’s largest open-air markets — clothing, food, electronics, and crafts spread across acres of covered stalls. Overwhelming and fascinating. Keep your bag in front, do not bring expensive items.
- Rolex Street Food: The Ugandan rolex (rolled egg omelette and vegetables in a chapati) is sold from street carts throughout Kampala. Around Old Taxi Park and Kampala Road, you can get a proper rolex for approximately UGX 3,000 (USD $0.80). One of Africa’s best street foods.
Car Hire 4×4 Drive is based in Kampala and provides vehicles from the city for all national park circuits. Contact us for vehicle rental starting from Kampala.
