Discovering Uganda: My Travel Experiences in Kampala, Jinja, and Entebbe

When I planned my trip, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but my time in Uganda turned out to be one of the most vibrant and memorable adventures I’ve ever had. I was born in England, and the majority of my family are in England, but I am originally from Uganda. I visited once before as a teenager and wanted to go back and see my grandparents, as they are very old. My grandfather turned 95 during this trip! From buzzing city life in Kampala to peaceful lakeside moments in Entebbe, each stop offered something unique. Here are some of my top Uganda travel experiences that I’d recommend to anyone exploring the Pearl of Africa.

Visiting Jinja – The Source of the Nile

One of my favourite Uganda travel experiences was visiting Jinja, famously known as the source of the Nile. Standing at the point where the world’s longest river begins was surreal. I visited the River Nile in Egypt earlier this year, and now I got to see the source. This town itself has a relaxed atmosphere, with craft shops and cafes, but it’s also a hotspot for adrenaline activities like white-water rafting, ziplining, bungee jumping, and quad biking. My two cousins did ziplining and camel riding. I was wearing a skirt, so I didn’t participate in any of these activities. Next time I know to wear trousers to Jinja.

Standing on the Equator Line

Another activity in my Uganda travel experience was visiting the equator line. It’s a short stop where you can literally stand with one foot in the northern hemisphere and the other in the southern. There are shops nearby selling souvenirs and demonstrations showing how water swirls differently on each side of the equator line. I have to be honest in saying that this isn’t the best attraction in the country. It’s a 2 hour drive from the capital city, and there really isn’t anything to do here. It’s more of a unique bucket list type of activity that you would do “just to say you did it”.

Exploring Buganda Road Market

Kampala is alive with colour, and Buganda Road Market perfectly captures that energy. This was one of my more local Uganda travel experiences. The market is full of stalls selling handmade crafts, paintings, jewellery, and fabrics. It’s the perfect place to pick up authentic souvenirs to remember your trip. The market is targeted towards tourists but the prices are not that bad by western standards. Don’t pay more than £2 for keyrings, fridge magnets, and small jewellery. Yes, you do have to haggle for everything, but most sellers are quite reasonable. Ugandans are also very friendly, which meant it was hard to see every stall. They will engage you in conversation even after the sale is over, and before you know it, you’ve been standing chatting to a seller for 20 minutes.

Clubbing in Kampala

Kampala’s nightlife has a reputation for being vibrant, and it didn’t disappoint. It is commonly known as the “nightlife capital” of East Africa. One of my most fun Uganda travel experiences was going clubbing in Kampala. The music was non-stop, the energy infectious, and everyone was ready to dance until sunrise. If you love nightlife, Kampala is definitely the place to be. I have to also point out that I felt way safer than I do in Europe at night. The men generally behave in a very respectful way towards women, and you go through metal detectors/bag searches before entering. Cocktails are also only around £5 in the more “expensive” places.

Kasubi Tombs

Uganda has a deep and fascinating history, and visiting the Kasubi Tombs in Kampala was one of the most cultural Uganda travel experiences. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the tombs are the resting place of Buganda kings and hold significant cultural value. The architecture, made with natural materials, is both impressive and symbolic of Ugandan traditions. This was also a very personal experience for me, as I come directly from one of these bloodlines through my grandmother. So I basically went to visit my ancestors’ graves.

Ndere Cultural Centre – Ndere Troupe Performance

My auntie arranged for us to see the famous Ndere Troupe in Kampala. This performance was easily one of the most unforgettable Uganda travel experiences. The music and dance captured Uganda’s cultural richness and diversity. We watched performances from many different Ugandan tribes. Also, I cannot take credit for this amazing photo, as it was taken by my cousin. The performance is around 3 hours, and they gave us a free banana juice before it started.

Old Taxi Rank in Kampala

The Old Taxi Rank in Kampala may not be on every tourist’s list, but it gave me one of the most authentic Uganda travel experiences. It’s chaotic, loud, and crowded with people, but it shows the real heartbeat of the city. Watching hundreds of taxis and people navigating this transport hub was an experience in itself. For part of my trip, I stayed at a hotel that overlooked it, and that’s where I snapped this photo from.

Entebbe Zoo (Uganda Wildlife Education Centre)

My auntie took us to visit the Entebbe Zoo, officially called the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre. This was a memorable Uganda travel experience because it gave me the chance to see Uganda’s incredible wildlife up close, including lions, giraffes, and chimpanzees. It’s educational too, with a focus on conservation. The animals are well taken care of and given enough space to comfortably roam. Some of the less dangerous animals are also free range.

Beaches in Entebbe

There are many beaches along Lake Victoria. The most popular one is Coco Beach, but it was closed when I tried to visit. So I went to White Sands Beach instead. It was empty! which is like heaven for me. In all the countries I’ve been to, I usually have to visit the beach early to avoid crowds. But this place was pure bliss. The beaches in Uganda are nothing to rave about, as they are quite small. However, they do have restaurants and bars that sell drinks. Plus, the sand and water were extremely clean.

Uganda is a country that truly has it all… history, wildlife, nightlife, and unforgettable people. Maybe I am being biased because i’m from there, but I also saw many tourists with smiles on their faces. The activities I described above are only a fraction of what Uganda has to offer. Next time, I look forward to doing a safari, visiting some waterfalls, and spending more than just 1 day in Jinja.