Curious about Uganda? Are you interested in discovering the country independently? Want to know where to go and which national park to visit? Uganda – Where to Go and Things to Do is our personal experience exploring this country in 2025. Our adventure includes Kampala, Gulu, Kidepo National Park and Fort Portal. We share our insights on where to stay, where to eat and drink, and things to see and do. Our guide reflects our travel style and aims to provide useful things to know before visiting this obscure destination.
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Uganda, ‘the Pearl of Africa’. Home to a variety of landscapes, abundant wildlife, and more than fifty ethnic groups, it’s truly a unique and special place. With unlimited potential, it certainly could be a pearl. Alternatively, ‘rough diamond’ may be a fitting description, with many hidden corners of the country waiting to be discovered and refined.
Why go to Uganda?
Most people come for the gorillas, the country having the highest density of primates on the planet. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is on many bucket lists and is reason enough to head this way. But Uganda has so much more to offer. It’s a remarkable place to go on safari, home to the Big Five and hundreds of other mammals. Safari costs are excellent value, far more affordable than in other East African countries. With over a thousand species of bird, it’s also one of the world’s top birding locations. Rainforests, savannahs, volcanoes, and lakes provide endless adventure opportunities, while the array of cultures and welcoming locals make the allure of Uganda even more appealing.
- Capital: Kampala
- Best time to visit: May to September
- Budget/Mid-Range/Couple: AU$130 per day
- Currency: Ugandan Shilling (UGX 2,300 = AU$1)
- Language: Luganda and English
- Visa: Yes
- Difficulty: 3 (1-basic & 5-challenging)
Kampala
Thought to be named after the impala that grazed on the hills centuries ago, Kampala, like many other African cities, is a rollercoaster ride for the senses. Bumper to bumper traffic, crowds of people, and deafening noise can make it feel a little overwhelming upon first impression. This is however, normal everyday life. There’s nothing to be afraid of. Downtown Kampala may appear to be a monster, but give it a little time and you’ll realise it’s really a soft cuddly bear.
Getting to Kampala
Entebbe International Airport, a short forty-five-minute drive from Kampala, connects the country with daily flights to and from Europe, the Middle East and loads of African destinations.
Multiple buses come and go each day to neighbouring Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania, making getting here straight forward.
Where to stay in Kampala
The downtown area is where most of the hotels are found, while guesthouses and Airbnb’s are in surrounding neighbourhoods. Situated on a series of rolling hills, nowhere really stands out as an ideal place to base yourself. Avoiding the packed city centre is a good idea, with local alternatives a short ride away. We stayed near Acacia Mall, an authentic area we enjoyed.
Where to eat and drink in Kampala
From fine dining to local street food, Kampala has it all covered. Kampala’s mix of cultures means it’s possible to find most international cuisines. Popular street foods worth a try are the rolex (a vegetable omelette wrapped in freshly made chapati) and gonja (fried platain). Street vendors selling fresh produce are everywhere, especially in local neighbourhoods.
- Get to Brielles Kitchen (excellent place to try local food such as matooke – tasty mashed green bananas, or groundnut stew)
- Don’t miss Owino Market (absolute chaos! A visit here is something you won’t forget anytime soon. The heart of the city. Everything from fresh produce, food, clothes and chickens can be found here)
- Check out Om Shree Shakti Dabeli (great place for Indian vegetarian snacks, near Acacia Mall)
Things to see and do in Kampala
Mendo Palace is an ancient walled palace, in the suburb on Mendo. It was the former home of the King of Buganda. Great place to learn about local history.
Uganda Museum is the country’s largest and oldest, with an impressive collection of historical and cultural exhibits.
Craft Markets are always good to check out, and Kampala has a number of them. Our favourites were: the Old Kampala Friday Market – has quality handmade baskets, bags, and fabric items; Bagala Craft – the best selection of wood carvings and small souvenirs; and Exposure Africa – excellent for paintings and artwork.
Getting around Kampala
The city centre is notorious for its congested traffic, with the streets quickly becoming choked with cars and buses. The quickest way to get around is on a boda, a motorbike taxi. They can be found everywhere; you can even grab one on Uber. Walking is usually faster than driving in the city.
Gulu
Receiving city status only recently, Gulu still has a country-town feel about it. Situated in an agricultural region, cotton, tea, coffee, and corn are just some of the crops grown nearby. The largest city in north, Gulu is the last place to stock up before heading to Kidepo National Park, or South Sudan. For most travellers, it’s a convenient place to stop for the night, but for those with more time, it’s a pleasant place to experience Ugandan country life.
Getting to Gulu
It takes around six hours to reach Gulu from Kampala, depending on the traffic. The earlier you leave, the better. Vans depart Central Station throughout the day, leaving when full. We took the Post Bus, which leaves once a day at 7am from the Clocktower Post Office. It was a nice comfortable ride and had a toilet stop.
Where to stay in Gulu
Gulu has an abundance of options when it comes to looking for a place to stay. Budget hotels are easy to find in the centre, while larger hotels and apartment style lodgings are found in the surrounding areas.
We stayed at the excellent Spring Apartments in the north of town, which was nice and quiet.
Where to eat and drink in Gulu
The streets of Gulu are full of cafes and restaurants serving local and international cuisine. Street eats are readily available in the afternoon, while fruit and vegetables are sold on the street every few blocks. The Cereleno Market has the best variety of fresh produce, with the best prices. Get here if you are self-catering. On the main road near the market, you will find a bunch of stalls selling natural peanut butter, honey and shea butter.
- Get to Sanyu Restaurant (where locals eat – affordable, tasty, traditional food)
- Don’t miss Abyssinia Restaurant (serves Ethiopian food. Try the injera, a fermented flat bread with a selection of toppings. It’s also a guesthouse)
- Check out Indian and Continental Restaurant (we enjoyed the vegetable curries here, along with the friendly staff. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Things to see and do in Gulu
Mtindo-Made in Uganda This is a lovely craft store near the bus station with a collection of local goods, including bags, clothes and soap.
African Crafts is another spot to look for handmade local crafts. You can find it in on the lower level of the Main Market.
Immerse yourself in the Main Market, where you’ll find all sorts of goods spread across three levels, each offering something different. A few blocks from the centre, on the main road, Cereleno Market boasts an abundance of fresh, locally grown produce. Both markets are full of friendly vendors who love a chat and a laugh.
Kidepo National Park is a five-hour drive if you have a vehicle, or a full day on public transport. Gulu is the last place to grab your last supplies.
Getting around Gulu
Bodas are the best and easiest way to negotiate the city. They will honk and wave as soon as they see you step onto the street. Friendly and helpful, they’re a quick and cheap way to cross town. Walking is also popular, as the streets have footpaths.
Like a rare stone, Uganda has untapped promise and depth beyond its surface beauty.
Kidepo National Park
Kidepo National Park is the true wild of Africa. In the far north of the country, the park borders South Sudan and Kenya, and is a huge expanse of open grassland teeming with wildlife. With only a small population of lions, antelope and buffalo thrive here in massive numbers, alongside elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, and leopards. One of the benefits of being so remote is the limited number of visitors, meaning you will feel like you have the whole park to yourself. With preparations underway for the reintroduction of rhinos, and an upgraded road, visiting Kidepo will soon be even more enticing.
Getting to Kidepo National Park
Kidepo National Park isn’t the easiest place to reach, which is part of the appeal. If you are travelling by private car, the drive will take around ten hours from Kampala, and five hours from Gulu.
We reached the park using public transport from Gulu. Start by catching the first van of the day from Gulu to Kitgum, around two hours. Change at Kitgum for a shared car to Karenga, a bumpy, dusty, but scenic four-hour ride. From Karenga, jump on a boda and ride the final thirty minutes to your accommodation.
If you’re looking for an easy way to experience the park, a guide from August Voyage Safaris can arrange everything for you. August is fantastic and can organize any kind of African adventure—contact him at augustvoyagesafaris@gmail.com
Where to stay in Kidepo National Park
Lodges dominate the accommodation scene. They are scattered around the park’s boundary. They offer lodgings in basic to luxury safari-style tents.
We stayed at Kidepo Savannah Lodge, which was amazing. The village of Karenga has a couple of simple budget hotels if you are on a tight budget.
Where to eat and drink in Kidepo National Park
The only place to eat in Kidepo is at your lodge. Meals are included with lodge accommodation – one less thing to worry about. The small village of Karenga has a couple of basic shops and eating options.
Things to see and do in Kidepo National Park
Look for wildlife of course! Lodges will have their own safari jeep, and will have a variety of morning and evening safari options to choose from. If you have a vehicle, self-driving is fun and easy. Kidepo National Park also allows night drives. You must be accompanied by an armed ranger. It’s all easy to arrange with your lodge, or online before you arrive. Additionally, walking safaris and village visits are rewarding activities, as is relaxing with a cold drink at your lodge.
Getting around Kidepo National Park
The only way to get around inside the park is in your own vehicle, or a jeep supplied by your lodge. You can access your lodge from Karenga in around thirty minutes on a boda, but only during daylight hours. Bodas cannot enter the park.
Discover why Kidepo made our list of East Africa’s best national parks
Fort Portal
With several attractions nearby, most tour groups only stop in Fort Portal for lunch or a quick break. The town may not have any bucket list sights, but what it lacks in landmarks, it more than makes up for with its warm and welcoming atmosphere. For the independent traveller, it’s an excellent base for checking out the surrounding national parks. Fort Portal is the transport hub of western Uganda, connecting to all towns and points of interest across the region. With a pleasant climate, markets, and variety of eating options, Fort Portal is an ideal spot to spend a few days or more.
Getting to Fort Portal
Fort Portal is a seven-hour bus ride from Kampala, with the Post Bus making the trip daily. Local taxi vans also depart from the main Kampala Bus Station when full. Masindi is around six hours on public transport, with Link Bus making the journey twice daily. Kabale, near the Rwandan border, takes about eight hours on public transport. Link Bus also services this route.
Where to stay in Fort Portal
The town centre is ideal if you’re just passing through and have an early departure planned. There’s loads of affordable hotels throughout town. If you intend to stay a little longer, like we did, it’s better to find somewhere quieter away from the busy main street. We stayed in the Kagote neighbourhood, a great choice if you like immersing yourself into local life.
Where to eat and drink in Fort Portal
You won’t find any flash five-star restaurants here. It’s all local eateries, serving local style Ugandan food. There’s plenty of them. Follow or ask the locals around lunchtime, and they will point you in the right direction. Street vendors fry up chapati, cassava, and potato chips. Keep an eye out for ladies selling pancakes (made with cassava flour and bananas).
- Get to The Address Restaurant (always busy with locals, this place serves large and tasty Ugandan dishes, we loved it)
- Don’t miss Everybody’s Kitchen (fresh cakes are made daily, the banana cake is delicious, there’s homemade ice-cream too)
- Check out Rwenzori Black Oak Coffee (organic local Ugandan coffee, served every way imaginable. Also sells ground coffee and fresh beans)
Things to see and do in Fort Portal
New Tooro Kingdom Palace is the best vantage point around, with great views of Fort Portal and the surrounding area.
Kibale National Park is an excellent place for tracking chimps, and is easily reached from town.
The Crater Lakes is home to some unreal landscapes and viewpoints. They can be reached on public transport, or with a guide from town.
Semuliki National Park has some traditional hot springs, and can also be accessed by public transport from Fort Portal.
Immerse yourself in daily life by shopping for fresh produce at Mpanga Market. The local avocados are amazing.
Getting around Fort Portal
Just like every other town and city in Uganda, boda’s are the number one way to get around. You will find them everywhere. Quick and affordable, they are the main form of transport around town.
Getting to Uganda
Uganda’s international airport at Entebbe has regular flights to Europe, the Middle East, and numerous African cities. Three flights per week connect Uganda with India.
Entering overland is popular and straightforward from neighbouring Rwanda and Kenya. We arrived from Kenya, crossing the border at Busia with no issues.
Useful things to know before visiting Uganda
It’s a very safe country. Perfect for exploring and enjoying adventures at your own pace.
E-visa is available online, however, you will still need two blank pages in your passport.
Getting around takes time, have plenty of it.
Public transport is safe, a great way to connect with locals, and how we traveled ourselves – it was part of the adventure.
There are public toilets around. They charge a small fee.
If you want help planning your adventure, we recommend August Voyage Safaris – contact them at augustvoyagesafaris@gmail.com
eSIM has good coverage.
The Wise Multi-Currency Card is widely accepted and can be loaded with Ugandan shillings. We use Wise when we travel – check it out here and support our adventures.
Stanbic Bank and Equity Bank charge no ATM fees.
National parks DO NOT accept cash. Payment is made by card.
The weather varies. It can be hot and dusty, wet, and even cold at night. Be prepared.
Final thoughts on travelling in Uganda
Uganda’s claim as “the pearl of Africa” may seem a little far-fetched when you first arrive, with the traffic, unrelenting noise, and masses of people a lot to take in. But after you settle in, you will feel more comfortable. Once you’ve learnt how things roll in Kampala, the rest of the country will be a breeze. A country of many gem-like attractions, including gorillas and chimpanzees, choosing which ones to experience will be your biggest problem. Uganda, like every other country on this vast continent, requires time to discover. The more you have of it, the better. You can’t rush here. Whatever sights you decide to see, you will not be disappointed. Like a rare stone, Uganda has untapped promise and depth beyond its surface beauty.