After an exhilarating time in Jinja, our next stop was the vibrant city of Kampala in Uganda. Just like Lagos in Nigeria, Kampala serves as a major hub and offers a unique urban experience. However, little did I know that navigating the city would present its own set of challenges, particularly in terms of traffic.
What was supposed to be a two-hour drive turned into a lengthy five-hour ordeal. Since I hadn’t pre-booked any accommodation, I decided to explore different hotels in the downtown area, both in person and online. Unfortunately, this spontaneous approach turned out to be a flawed plan.
As we continued our search for a hotel with suitable amenities, we passed by a backpackers hostel called The Fat Cat. Instantly, I felt drawn to it and knew it was the perfect place for my three-night stay in Kampala. Upon checking in, I was warmly greeted by fellow travelers from various corners of the world. We bonded over a delicious dinner prepared from scratch by my newfound friends, while exchanging captivating stories about our experiences in Kampala, Uganda.
Choosing The Fat Cat hostel not only provided me with a comfortable place to stay, but also connected me with an incredible community of fellow travelers, making my time in Kampala even more memorable.
From my experience in Kampala, Uganda, I’ve gathered a few valuable tips to enhance your visit:
Tip #1: Hostels are fantastic, especially for solo travelers. Prioritize clean and friendly hostels in convenient locations. In bustling cities like Kampala, staying in a hostel can alleviate any feelings of solitude and offer opportunities for social interactions.
Tip #2: Avoid riding a Boda Boda (local bike transport) at night, or if necessary, opt for busy neighborhoods. Many people I spoke to shared misadventures with Boda Bodas. Fortunately, Uber is now available in Kampala, providing a safer alternative for transportation.
During my time in Kampala, my travel pace slowed down as I had a wedding to attend and friends to reconnect with. This led to delightful distractions, including indulging in various local food variations.
Tip #3: Don’t miss out on trying Ugandan skewered pork and goat. These coal-roasted dishes strike a perfect balance between the natural sweetness of tender meat and a slight char. It was a true culinary blessing to experience.
Tip #4: If you enjoy spicy food, bring along a small bottle of pepper sauce as Ugandan cuisine tends to be less peppery. However, I found the flavor profiles well-balanced. Additionally, instead of having rice as a separate side dish, many restaurants serve smaller portions of all the side dishes on one plate for the same price.
While in Kampala, I managed to explore some key sights. I dressed in Muslim attire to visit the Gaddafi Mosque, explored the artisanal market, and attempted to visit the Bahai Temple (though it was closed for renovations). I highly recommend visiting the mosque, as it was a major highlight of my trip. When shopping at the artisanal market, exercise caution and be prepared to haggle, as many items come from Kenya.
Surprisingly, the most awe-inspiring experience for me was attending an engagement party at Kampala’s Ndere Cultural Centre. The captivating beats of the Burundi drums welcomed us into the engagement halls, and the vibrant dances, colorful performances, and beautiful music left us in awe of the rich cultural display. It was an unforgettable and welcoming experience for everyone who had flown in for the wedding.
Kampala offers a unique blend of cultural encounters, culinary delights, and vibrant experiences that will leave a lasting impression on any traveler.
PHOTO CREDIT: Zeegoes