Kampala, Uganda -Hotels, Guesthouses and Backpacker Accommodations

Places to stay in Kampala from Budget to 5 Star accommodation:

Kampala has many choices where you can stay while in Uganda.  From the World Class Serena Hotel where even Queen Elizabeth stayed in November to the Red Chilli Hideaway and many others in between. The main thing is that you enjoy Uganda while you are here and for different people there are different choices that you can make.  Take a look below on a list of Kampala accommodations that I have compiled.

Up-Market Places to stay in Kampala

• Emin Pasha Hotel:  A true first class Hotel with class and a price to go with it.  The name Emin Pasha evokes memories of times past when the British ruled the Sudan and Emin Pasha, a most unique European Doctor who was a governor of one of the provinces.  The hotel is far beyond anything that Emin Pasha stayed in but it is one of Kampala's finest.

• Kampala Serena Hotel:  Build where the old Nile Hotel used to be, a place that still evokes negative memories of times past in Ugandans (The State Security for Idi Amin used the Nile Hotel as a place for interrogation).  Now, a world class Hotel with various restaurants and some of the best chefs in Africa.  If you want to stay in style, this is the place. Celebrities coming to town stay at the Serena Hotel in Kampala, from the Queen to Akon the Senegalese-American Rock Star, even Benny Hinn, the famous or infamous evangelist stayed there arriving by helicopter from Entebbe.  The best suite is a bit above my budget but maybe not once.  I have been there just once, but it is impressive.

• Kampala Sheraton:  No matter how many facelifts the old lady goes through, it still looks like a Eastern European structure from the Communist era. In this case, the Sheraton was built by the Yugoslavs under Marshall Tito.  It now has marble floors in the lobby, the gardens are fabulous, but I miss the old funky Rhino Pub with its great cheeseburgers, but things change and the Sheraton is still one of Uganda's better places, pricier ones too.

• Grand-Imperial Hotel:  It was restored in the late 90's to its former glory and beyond.  I used to eat lunch on the veranda back in the 90's and they had great luncheon steaks there.  A lovely place where I once housed an American singer  who was here for a concert.

•  Munyono Resort:  A place fit for Kings and royalty has come there on various occasion and many Presidents and Premiers have stayed there from around the world.  Situated on Lake Victoria off the Gabba Road, all one can say is class, it gives you many choices, from rooms to restaurants, suites, horseback riding, motor boat excursions and a fantastic pool. Of course it all comes with a price, but if you want world class resort, this is it.  If you cannot stay here, you can swim in the pool for a fee, enjoy a meal here, take a boat ride on Lake Victoria or go horse back riding.

Moderately Priced Hotel in Kampala Uganda.  Covers a multitude of Kampala area hotels.

• Fang Fang Hotel near the Sheraton at a much lower price than the Sheraton. Very nice rooms, clean and immaculate.  An excellent Chinese Restaurant and it is downtown, or just a short walk from there.

• Shangri-La Hotel together with the Shanghai Chinese Restaurant, this is a good combination. It is a small hotel, with a lovely garden, just up from the Sheraton.  Air-conditioned rooms with DSTV, comfortable beds and lamps on the night stands.  The bathrooms are clean and comfortable, a nice place to stay.  I have stayed there some years back and loved it.  Free internet access and free laundry.

• Hotel Diplomate:  Another Hotel I have stayed in.  I stayed in the best room they had (2006), the view was fantastic, the food so-so the rooms not to clean and the carpets were not in great shape, but the view.

• Hotel International:  Great views from the rooms of Lake Victoria and Kampala suburbs.  I have stayed there some years back and the rooms were clean and nice, the restaurant is ok, but order wisely.  It can take an hour to get your food, ask them to bring the bill when the food arrives.  I have waited 45 minutes for the bill until I found the right wait-staff who knew what I wanted.  Nice swimming pool on the property.

Budget Priced Accommodations:

• Namirembe Guesthouse:  The rooms with a view of the city.  The oldest guest house in Kampala and very popular. Has a good reputation and is under the auspices of the Church of Uganda.  Hot showers in most rooms.

• Marble Arch Hotel:  I like the place and have stayed there often.  Reasonably priced, no multi-stay discount.  They have some rooms with balconies.  TV in room with one channel that is DSTV.  Usually on M-Net movie channel or Africa Magic, the African Movie channel. Nice restaurant with limited selection, the steaks are fine, the samosas are great, breakfast is ok, the coffee is lousy.  Located in the Kansanga area.

• Olympia Hotel in Kansanga.  They added a new wing in 2008 and the rooms seem to be nice.  A lot of foreigners stay here.  Restaurant on premise.  Not as quaint as Marble Arch but fine.

• Chez Johnson Hotel in Muyenga at Reste Corner.  Newly constructed in 2007, nice balconies, decent rooms and reasonable prices.  The restaurant seems to be lacking atmosphere, drab looking.  Nothing inviting, but the rooms are clean and comfortable.

• Kampala Backpackers Hostel and Campsite:  Located on Natete Road and it has been there for some years.  The garden area is like a forest, nice.  Guests I have had there have liked it a lot and have been comfortable there.

• Red Chilli Hideaway in Bugolobi:  Quite popular with the younger crowd and I have had guests there who really liked it.  The forest like setting.  Started by an American who had tourists in mind who were traveling on a budget.

 Uganda Travel Safety & Security - after the World Cup Terrorist Attacks in Uganda.

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Accommodations in other Ugandan towns and National Parks

Kampala, Uganda City Guide The Visitors Guide to Kampala Helpful Information, Tips, Advice to make your stay in Kampala Kabiza Wilderness Safaris Ltd. Uganda Quality Safaris - low in price - without Compromise Kampala Restaurants:  Kampala has some excellent restaurants that will delight your palate.  The variety of restaurants is amazing and you can find Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Japanese, Thai, Belgian, Congolese, Irish Pub Food, and much more in Kampala. Kampala Shopping:  Shopping in Kampala for things like souvenirs, clothing with an African touch.  There are shopping malls such as Garden City that are similar to Western Shopping centers and many stores on different levels including a movie Theatre and Bowling Alley. Entertainment in Kampala:  Enjoy Kampala's Entertainment. There is live music to be found in Kampala, Theatre both in Luganda and in English.  Concerts by Ugandan artists are found weekly in various venues.  There are traditional dance troupes with traditional instruments. Kampala Nightlife:  Enjoying Kampala's Nightlife from mild to wild.  Nightlife in Uganda begins late and spills over into the next day, some venues staying open into the next morning.  We offer pub-crawls or bar hops with English speaking driver and safe vehicle, perfect for one or for a group. Kampala Clinics and Hospitals:  Here are some hospitals that can assist you in case of Medical emergencies.  Kampala has many clinics that have well trained medical staff, on site labs and equipment that will allow you to deal with many medical emergencies.  Staying well in Uganda information Staying Safe in Kampala:  Security and Safety advice while you are staying in Kampala and Uganda.  Here are safety tips for a secure holiday, business trip or volunteer trip to Uganda.  Uganda is quite safe, people are some of the friendliest in all of Africa. Money Information:  Information about exchange rates in Uganda, ATM machines, Western Union and MoneyGram.  Answer to questions regarding the use of credit cards in Uganda, letting your bank know that you are going to Uganda so that you can use your credit card and more. Conversations Uganda Style:  Making yourself understood in Uganda and tips of social etiquette in Uganda.  English is spoken everywhere but there are times words mean different things to the one speaking.  If someone says that they are going to make a short call, it is not a phone call, but a trip to the bathroom. Luganda Everyday Phrases:  Learn some Luganda phrases before you come to Kampala.  Knowing some basic Luganda phrases will endear you to most Ugandans in the central region.  Luganda is spoken in Kampala and in the central region of Uganda.  In villages some of the people do not speak English, so some words in Luganda will bring a smile on the hearers face. Bargaining Ritual:  Bargaining in Africa and in Kampala.  Bargaining is an art, a ritual dance where you negotiate with a smile, with humor and hopefully enjoy the process.  In most instances no one will sell you something below their cost.  Uganda bargaining is not as prevalent as in Kenya. Kampala Day Trip Safaris:  Day trips in and around Kampala from cultural tours to meet the children of Uganda.  A mini-safari to Lake Mburo, a day of birding at Mabamba Swamp or Mabira Forest, white water rafting in Jinja, Entebbe excursion and more. Kampala Places of Worship: Churches and other places of worship in Kampala.  Kampala has hundreds of churches from small places to mega-churches.  Services are often in Luganda and or English or translated.  Some churches have an English service at one hour and a Luganda service at another.  Besides churches there are countless of Mosques, Hindu Temples, a Bahai Temple to name a few. Embassies and Diplomatic Missions in Uganda:  Embassies in Kampala are easily found and you can get your passport renewed, some extra pages stitched in or replacement of the unthinkable, the replacement of a lost passport.  Uganda has embassies from most Nations, in some cases they are located in Kenya. Uganda Weather: Find out what the weather is like in Kampala.  Get the mean temperatures of various cities and towns in Uganda.  Find out when the rainy seasons take place.  You can even get current weather information from Kampala on this page.  Helpful information for visitors and tourists. Kampala in Pictures:  Take a look before you come here.  Kampala is a thriving city and there is much to be seen here.  You can take a look at this lovely city situated originally on  seven hills but as it has grown it has spread out into what used to be the countryside. Kampala Day Trip Safaris:  Day trips in and around Kampala from cultural tours to meet the children of Uganda.  A mini-safari to Lake Mburo, a day of birding at Mabamba Swamp or Mabira Forest, white water rafting in Jinja, Entebbe excursion and more. Africa - Uganda Travel Guide and Information: A complete total Travel Guide to Africa with Uganda as its focus. Travel Tips and Advice - Uganda Visa advice and where to buy it - Flying into Uganda information along with arrival and departure tips - Security and Safety tips in Uganda - Health Advice, Safari Tours, Mountain Gorilla Tracking, Chimpanzees, Birding, Mountain Climbing and more. Contact us by clicking on the Mountain Gorilla Stamp or this link, it will take you to the contact page. Call us from overseas 256 - (0) 774785852, Fax USA-567-429-5259. Kabiza Wilderness Safaris.   Live Chat

 

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