Known as the "City of Seven Hills, Kampala was my first taste of Africa. Despite feeling under the weather and almost canceling, I decided to push throughโand I'm so glad I did. Missing out on this vibrant city would have been a huge regret. A tip-based walking tour booked through GuruWalk, join me as I uncover the city of Kampala through my lens.
Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post and I booked the tour at my discretion.
Tour Provider: GuruWalk
GuruWalk, a Spanish startup, is an online community of local guides who offer walking tours around their cities. Tourists can choose tours based on their preferences and pay the local guides directly at the end of the tour. With tours in cities across different countries, tourists have plenty of options to explore.
- Available Destinations: GuruWalk's Free Walking Tours Location
- Book your Female Guided Walking Tour in Kampala ๐ HERE!
Kampala Guided Walking Tour
New Kampala - Central Business District, Crafts Village & Nakasero
From my hostel (Bushpig Backpackers Hostel), I took a boda boda to the bustling roundabout between Nile Avenue and Speke Road. The first stop of our tour was at Sir Edward Mutesa II's monument. My guide, Fridaus, introduced me to the history and traditional kingdoms of Uganda, highlighting the cultural significance and heritage of the country.
We then moved to the Independence Monument and the World War Monument. Along the way, we came across a massive fig tree and learned about its various uses in Ugandaโone of which is making fabric.
As we continued down the road, I was introduced to a new species of bird called the Marabou Stork. These birds are unmistakable due to their massive size, and they were all around the city with their nests, babies, and even droppings.
The tour also included a stop at a vibrant crafts market. It was filled with colorful paintings, handmade wooden crafts, and fascinating ornamentsโperfect for souvenir shopping. They even roll the paintings properly for you (without the frame) so you can take them home safe and sound. How cool is that? My biggest regret was not spending more time here to explore and buy anything. I ended up purchasing souvenirs at the airport, and I hope you donโt make the same mistake!
Old Kampala - Local Markets, Religious Sites & the famous Old Taxi Park
The latter part of the tour took us to the area locals call Old Kampala. We visited local markets like Nakasero and Owino Market.
Both markets are run and frequented by locals, but Owino Market is the largest central marketplace in Kampala. The size, with its maze-like layout, was unimaginable to me. I nearly lost my breath trying to keep up with Fridaus as we navigated through all the twists and turns.
As told in my Travel Story in Uganda, I experienced some stares and curious touches from the vendors during the tour. Fridaus assured me these were non-sexual and stemmed from their curiosity about seeing a foreigner. For the first time in my life, I was even called American by one of the vendors.:D
Fridaus then brought me to a shopping mall where I could observe the city in action at an intersection. We watched the locals going about their day on boda bodas and the organized chaos of the traffic. No traffic lights, honking, or road rage; I was left in awe. All the motorists gave way to one another in a respectful manner!
Another scene of beautiful chaos awaited me at the Old Taxi Park, where hundreds of matatus were parked, each bound for different destinations around the country. They fill up with passengers and depart only when full.
After passing by the Shiva Temple, we headed to the famous skyscraper mosque on Kampala Hill, just in time to catch the sunset. A gift from Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to Uganda, the Ugandan National Mosque (also known as the Gaddafi Mosque) is the largest mosque in East Africa.
With a 360-degree view of Kampala, the climb to the minaret was worth the effort. We could see all the places we had visited during the tour, as well as the different hills of Kampala and its landmarks. The tour concluded with a look inside the mosque.
Walking Tour Cost:
GuruWalk's Walking Tours do not have a set price similar to our Old Jaffa Walking Tour in Tel Aviv, Israel back in 2022. Travelers are free to set the price at the end of the tour based on what they think the tour is worth.
A suggested pay range is available on the website as a guide for everyone.
Since I was traveling solo and my decisions caused my guide to miss her Iftar time (she was fasting), I paid UGX 120,000, which is around USD 32, for the tour. Compared to other tours I've seen on Instagram, this amount is a bit higher.
Book your Female Guided Walking Tour in Kampala ๐ HERE!
Personal Thoughts:
Even though I paid a slightly higher amount for a tip-based tour, walking around Kampala with my female guide, Fridaus, was the cherry on top. I got to see the city through my own lens, enriched by the insights of a local.
Fridaus not only helped me feel comfortable navigating the city, but I also learned so much from her in such a short time. She covered everything from religion and politics to geography, culture, and the different kingdoms of Uganda. By the end of the tour, I already felt at home, and thatโs when I knew I was going to have a blast in her beautiful countryโthe Pearl of Africa, Uganda.
Book your Female Guided Walking Tour in Kampala ๐ HERE!
