City tours are a thrilling experience and a way of uncovering different cultures and lifestyles of different people. You get to see trade happen, the busy streets, transportation, the language spoken, and a taste of the local cuisine. In Uganda, there are over 5 towns you must visit for the best city tour safaris such as Kampala city, Entebbe, Jinja, and Fort Portal.
Kampala city
The bustling city of Kampala is a great place for vacation and unwinding. Busy as it is, a one-day well spent across the 7 hills of the capital Kampala. This is the main and busiest city in Uganda. Many believe the name Kampala was derived from the word “impala” the largest antelope in the wild. The city’s hills have local names with unique attractions. The seven hills of Kampala include Rubaga Hill, Mulago Hill, Makerere Hill, Nakasero Hill, Namirembe Hill, Mengo Hill, and Kampala Hill. However, due to the developments, the hills have now increased to over 21 hills today with unique stories about culture and economy. The Buganda Kingdom is in Kampala and plays a big role in its development.
The kingdom’s offices were built on the hills for security purposes. One of those is Mengo hill where the current Kings Palace is located. A city guide takes to Namirembe hill which means peace in the local language to visit the Namirembe cathedral which is the first diocese for the Anglican community. The attractions at Mengo Hill are quite many and they include the King’s palace which has the famous Amin’s torture chambers and the Kabaka’s Lake which is a man-made lake. The hill is locally referred to as “Emmengo”-meaning “grinding stone”. Old Kampala Hill is where the national mosque “Gadhafi mosque” is. It was named after the former Libyan president since he played a huge role in its construction.
In Rubaga Hill, is where the British colonialists met Kabaka Mutesa I to plan governance. The word “Rubaga” in the local language Luganda means “plan”. As you visit the hill you will come across Rubaga Cathedral, the main catholic church of Uganda. Makerere Hill is home to East Africa’s oldest educational institute, Makerere University which was built more than a century ago. Mulago Hill is home to Mulago National Referral Hospital which is the main government hospital of Uganda.
Nakasero Hill hosts some of the country’s luxurious hotels and leisure places. Other attractions in Kampala city include Uganda’s Independence Monument, Old Taxi Park, Owino market, the golf course, the National Museum with cultural and historical artifacts, and the craft village for authentic souvenirs.
Jinja
Jinja is one of the most scenic cities in Uganda. You can spend an entire day exploring the different attractions around town and in the first developing suburbs. This destination is a 2-hour drive from Kampala city. You start experiencing Jinja while heading to it. En route, you get to spot Mabira Forest, one of the oldest natural forests in the country and the biggest forest in Uganda.
You may want to taste fast foods on the way including barbeque chicken and meat, and gonja, among others sold by the local natives in the area. Passed Mabira forest, the magical Jinja Bridge welcomes you. Places to visit and activities to engage in while in Jinja include a canoe ride to the source of river Nile, the longest river on earth, white water rafting and zip lining at Itanda Falls, nature hike and camping at Zezibwa Falls cultural heritage site, kayaking, sunset cruises at the Nile,
Entebbe
Entebbe locally translated as “a chair” is the front door to Uganda. It is home to the Entebbe International Airport, the main commercial and military airport in the country. There is a lot one can do in Entebbe such as a walking tour to the different attractions, and beach tours at the exotic beach spread at the shores of Lake Victoria which is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. Visit the Botanical gardens for the beach and birds.
The Uganda Wildlife Educational Center also known as Entebbe Zoo awaits you to see the different wildlife. Visit Ngamba Island for a chimpanzee viewing and feeding experience and a boat cruise at Lake Victoria. Visitors can have a reptile tour of the reptile village with different reptiles such as chameleons, crocodiles, snakes, and many more.
Fort Portal
Fort Portal City is located in the southern part of Uganda. It ranks as the country’s tourism city with a variety of historical and cultural attractions. Visit the over 52 crater lakes including the kasanda crater. Other attractions include Toro kingdom tours, Kibale National Park which harbors over 13 primate species, Semiliki National Park with over 40% of Uganda’s bird species, the scenic view of the snowcapped mountain Rwenzori, the waterfalls, caves, Ramsar sites, and the cultures.