Kampala boda boda tour: Motorbike ride through 7 hills

A motorbike cuts through Kampala's chaos in ways a car never can.

A motorbike tour of Kampala with an English-speaking rider guide covers the city's original seven hills and sprawling neighborhoods, stopping at the Bahai Temple, Kalerwe Market, Gaddafi Mosque, Lubiri Palace, King's Lake, downtown Kampala and Rubaga Cathedral. You ride behind the guide on a checked and maintained bike, taste a Rolex snack, and climb the Gaddafi Mosque minaret for a 360-degree view of the city.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Uganda National Mosque1h
2. Kabaka's Palace2h

Explore Kampala city by motorbike

• Pickup from hotel or residence
• Visit Bahai temple
• Drive through Kalerwe Market
• Tour Gaddafi mosque and climb minaret
• Visit King's palace Lubiri and Amin’s torture chambers
• See Kabaka King's lake
• Ride through downtown Kampala and Owino market
• Visit Saint Mary's Cathedral Rubaga
• Shop at African Village craft market
• Return to pickup point or hotel

The experience

How do you see all of Kampala in one morning without getting stuck in traffic? A motorbike cuts through the congestion and reaches places a tour van cannot. Your rider guide picks you up from your hotel and heads first to the Bahai Temple, the only temple in Africa built for the Bahai faith. From there, the route moves through Kalerwe Market on Gayaza Road, about 5 kilometres from the city centre: one of Uganda's largest markets, where hundreds of vendors sell fruits, vegetables, matooke, cassava roots, and meat sourced from across the country.

The Gaddafi Mosque, Uganda's largest mosque and the headquarters of the Islamic faith in the country, is next. You get a guided tour of the building, then climb the minaret tower for a full 360-degree view of Kampala spread across its hills. After that comes Lubiri Palace, the traditional home of the Kabaka (king) of Buganda, with a guided walk through historical artefacts, gardens and the chambers from the Amin era. A short ride takes you to King's Lake, a hand-dug lake that covers 2 square kilometres and was established in 1885 on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II. Downtown Kampala follows: the congested heart of the city where the Owino market sprawls with everything from traditional medicines to secondhand clothing tailored on-site. The tour ends at Rubaga Cathedral, the oldest Roman Catholic cathedral in Uganda, standing on one of the original seven hills, and the African Village craft market on Buganda Road, the city's largest craft market.

All motorbikes are thoroughly checked for safety, and your guide has excellent communication skills and driving experience. You wear a clean helmet and hair net, get a bottle of water and a Rolex (the famous Ugandan snack of chapati, eggs, onions and tomato rolled together), and return to your hotel or pickup point.

What’s included

• Clean helmets and hair nets.
• a famous Ugandan Rolex snack.
• a bottle of water.
• an experienced English-speaking rider guide.
• pickup and return to your hotel or residence.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 11:00, 12:30 and 14:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (30 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 75 years) · Youth (15 to 25 years) · Child (5 to 14 years) · Infant (3 to 4 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 24 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Kampala City and Slum Tours

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English throughout, so you can follow the commentary and ask questions as you ride. Children from age 3 can join, riding on the bike with an adult or in a specialized infant seat if needed.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (15 to 25 years); Child (5 to 14 years); Infant (3 to 4 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Bahai Temple and why is it in Kampala?

The Bahai Temple in Kampala is the only temple in Africa built for the Bahai faith, a monotheistic religion founded in 19th-century Persia. It stands as a significant religious and architectural landmark in the city.

Can I climb to the top of the Gaddafi Mosque minaret?

Yes. After a guided tour of the Gaddafi Mosque, the largest mosque in Uganda, you hike to the top of the minaret tower to get a 360-degree view of Kampala and receive detailed information about the city from your guide.

What will I see at Lubiri Palace?

Lubiri Palace, the traditional home of the Kabaka of Buganda, contains historical artefacts, gardens and chambers from the Amin era. A guided tour walks you through the palace and its grounds.

How big is King's Lake and what makes it special?

King's Lake covers 2 square kilometres and is estimated to be 200 feet deep. It is the largest hand-dug or man-made lake in the Buganda Kingdom, established in 1885 on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II.

What is a Rolex and when do I get to try one?

A Rolex is Uganda's most popular street snack: chapati, eggs, onions and tomato rolled together. You receive one as part of the tour, along with a bottle of water.

Is downtown Kampala safe to visit on a motorbike?

Downtown Kampala is the heart of the city and the route passes through its congested but organized lanes, including the Owino market. Your experienced guide navigates the area and handles all the riding while you sit behind.