Country Nr 30 – Uganda – exploring Kampala and relaxing at Lake Victoria

Country 30/196: Uganda
Destinations: Kampala, Entebbe

Due to the extremely popular gorilla tracking tours in Uganda, its lovely capital is often overlooked, which is a shame, since Kampala offers a lot of beautiful sites, including various tombs, parks, churches, and mosques. Besides, the lovely lakeside town of Entebbe is just an hour away from the capital. It’s located at the famous Lake Victoria, where one can find numerous beach restaurants, raw nature, and countless amazing sights. So, there you go, lots to do near Kampala. To unwind after a long day, make sure to stay at the wonderful Mestil Hotel. 😉

Thank you, Uganda! It was a real pleasure! 🙂 ♥

Things to see and things to do

Some of Uganda’s most popular tourist destinations include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, The source of the Nile, Rwenzori Mountain National Park, Entebbe, and Kampala. Here is a list of Kampala’s main sights:

  • Namirembe Cathedral
  • Independence Monument
  • St Mary’s Cathedral Rubaga
  • Uganda National Mosque
  • Kasubi Tombs or Mbogo Tombs
  • Uganda Museum
  • Ndere Centre
  • Bahai Temple
  • Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo

Where to stay

In Kampala, there are lots of luxurious, mid-range, and budget accommodation options. We were staying at the stunning Mestil Hotel – a true honeymoon accommodation – and we loved it.

Are you planning a trip to Kampala/Entebbe? Here you can get a room with a 10% discount!

Budget

Gorilla tracking tours in Uganda are quite expensive, but a short vacation in Kampala or Entebbe can be relatively affordable. Accommodation prices in Kampala vary from 10 USD (8.5 EUR) to 500 USD (425 EUR) a night. Food and local transportation prices are pretty low. Not eating in upscale restaurants will save you a lot of money.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Uganda is between December and February, and between June and August. The weather is dry during these two seasons and the weather is suitable for sightseeing, hiking, and spotting wildlife.

Environmental issues

Deforestation, overgrazing, poor agricultural practices (e.g. draining of wetlands), and consequently soil erosion are some of the most pressing environmental issues in Uganda. Forests and woodlands were reduced by two-thirds between 1962 and 1977. Uganda’s water supply is contaminated by toxic industrial pollutants and mercury from mining activity. Around 47% of the people living in rural areas have access to pure drinking water. Poaching of protected wildlife is also a major problem. Endangered or extinct species include the mountain gorilla, northern white rhinoceros, black rhinoceros, and the Nile crocodile. The water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria created a big environmental (and economic) problem in 1996. The weed invasion has affected wildlife, fishing, and water transportation.

Romance and adventure

Uganda offers many romantic spots as well as epic adventures. Soaking up Kampala’s diverse culture or relaxing on the shore of Lake Victoria can be very romantic. Taking a gorilla tracking tour, on the other hand, may be one of the most unforgettable adventures in your life.

196xLOVE

Found lots of LOVE in Uganda. 😉 ♥

Honeymoon rating of the visited destinations: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♡♡♡

Kampala and Entebbe are two picturesque laid-back lakeside cities. It’s a lovely place to experience Africa. 🙂

* Note: This is NOT a general rating of the country, it is merely our personal opinion of the mentioned site(s) as honeymoon destinations, based on the level of tourism development, the number and quality of romantic and adventurous activities and sites it offers, and safety. We strongly believe that every country is beautiful in its own way, they may simply be more or less honeymoon oriented/friendly.

** Follow the journey on Instagram. 😉 There you can see our clean-up stories and check out our peace and sustainable tourism promo photos/videos. 😉

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