Kampala motorbike tour: Gaddafi Mosque, markets and palace

Ride through Kampala's landmarks instead of navigating the city yourself

A half-day motorbike tour of Kampala with a professional English-speaking guide, traveling by bike and on foot to the Gaddafi Mosque, Owino Market, Kabaka's Palace, Uganda Museum and other city landmarks. The tour runs 3 to 8 hours depending on which option you choose, includes a helmet, water and local snacks, and covers sites ranging from colonial-era transport hubs to the country's independence monument. Children from age 13 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Uganda National Mosque1h
2. Uganda Museum40m
3. Kabaka's Palace45m
4. Old Taxi Park20m · entry included

Kampala city motorbike tour highlights

• Visit Gaddafi National Mosque
• See Independence Monument
• Explore Owino Market
• Tour Uganda Museum
• Visit Bahá’í House of Worship
• Shop at Bagala Craft Market
• View Katanga informal settlement
• Tour Kabaka's Palace and torture chambers
• Taste local food
• Visit Makerere University campus
• See Kampala Railway Station
• Explore Old Taxi Park
• Visit Kalerwe Market

The experience

Kampala spreads across seven hills, and a motorbike cuts through the traffic and narrow routes that cars can't reach. You ride pillion behind your guide, who navigates the city while you take in the streets and neighborhoods as they pass. The Gaddafi Mosque dominates the skyline: the largest in East Africa, with a tower you can climb for a 360-degree view of the city below. From there, the route moves through downtown to Owino Market, one of the largest in Uganda, where vendors sell fresh produce, secondhand clothing, street food and herbal remedies in a controlled chaos that defines Kampala's commercial heart.

Walking stops break up the riding. Kabaka's Palace opens into the cultural history of the Buganda kingdom, and the Uganda Museum (East Africa's oldest, founded in 1908) holds ethnographic materials, traditional instruments and archaeological artifacts that trace the country's heritage. The Independence Monument, sculpted in 1962, depicts a figure holding a child to symbolize Uganda's birth as an independent nation. You'll also pass the Old Taxi Park, a transport hub and daily landmark for commuters, and the colonial-era Railway Station. A break includes local food, often a Rolex (a rolled chapati with eggs and vegetables), a Kampala street staple.

Your guide speaks English and carries responsibility for timing and route. You bring moderate fitness and a willingness to ride a motorbike through city traffic. Helmets and hair nets are provided, along with bottled water. The tour length varies by option (3, 5, 7 or 8 hours), so you choose how many stops and how deep into the city you want to go. Katanga, an informal settlement, and Bagala Craft Market, where local artisans sell handmade goods, may be included depending on your selection. Makerere University, Uganda's oldest higher-education institution, rounds out some itineraries.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide on motorbike.
• clean helmet and hair net for each traveler.
• bottled water.
• local snack (Rolex).
• motorbike transport between sites and walking access to landmarks including the Gaddafi Mosque, Owino Market, Kabaka's Palace, Uganda Museum, Independence Monument, Old Taxi Park and Kampala Railway Station.

Options for this experience

5 options

Kampala city motorbike tour, half dayGuide in English · 5 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 14:30Pickup is included

Kampala motorbike tour, 3 hoursGuide in English · 10 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 17:30Activities included: 1. Gaddafi Mosque 2. Kabaka's Palace 3. Kasubi Tombs. Duration: 3 hours. Tour itinerary: pickup from hotel. Note: entrance fees for Gaddafi Mosque ($7), Kabaka's Palace ($10) and Kasubi Tombs ($20) are not included. Description: The Kampala Easy Tour is built for travelers with limited time, giving a quick but rich look at the city's culture. Pickup is included

Kampala motorbike tour, 5 hoursGuide in English · 10 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 17:30Activities included: 1. Gaddafi Mosque 2. Kabaka's Palace 3. Owino Market 4. Old Taxi Park 5. Independence Monument 6. Craft Market 7. Makerere University. Duration: 5 hours. Tour itinerary: hotel pickup, Gaddafi Mosque, Kabaka's Palace, Owino Market, Old Taxi Park, Independence Monument, Craft Market, Makerere University. Description: Over five hours, guests conveniently see Kampala's top highlights, which makes it a good fit for those on a short stay. Pickup is included

See 2 more options

Kampala motorbike tour, 7 hoursGuide in English · 8 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 14:30Activities included: Bahá'í Temple, Katanga slum, Makerere University, Gaddafi Mosque, Kabaka's Palace, monuments and markets, downtown Kampala. Duration: 7 hours. Tour itinerary: pickup, Bahá'í Temple, Katanga slum, Makerere University, Gaddafi Mosque, Kabaka's Palace, monuments and markets, downtown Kampala. Description: This longer tour lets guests explore Kampala at a slower pace, with more cultural sites, food experiences and neighborhoods. Pickup is included

Long Kampala motorbike tourGuide in English · 7 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 13:00Activities included: all activities are included, and clients can also share their points of interest. Duration: 8 hours. Tour itinerary: pickup, all palaces included and tailored to the client. Description: This longer tour lets guests explore Kampala at a slower pace, with more cultural sites and food experiences. Pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day10 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 17:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Child (13 to 17 years) · Under 13: can't be booked

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 43 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by TWIJA AFRICA SAFARIS

Is this one for you?Choose the 3-hour option if you want the main landmarks (mosque, market, palace) without a full day commitment; the 5-hour tour adds the museum and more neighborhoods; the longer routes include informal settlements and craft markets for a deeper look at how the city actually works. Riding pillion means you see Kampala from street level instead of a car window, and your guide navigates the routes that only motorbikes can take.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (13 to 17 years). Children under 13 can't be included in the booking.

What is the Gaddafi Mosque and why climb the tower?

The Gaddafi Mosque is the largest mosque in East Africa, with architecture blending European, Asian and African styles. The tower is open to visitors, and climbing it gives a 360-degree view of Kampala city spread across its seven hills.

Can I choose which sites to visit, or is the route fixed?

The tour includes a set of main landmarks (the mosque, markets, palace, museum and monuments), but you can request visits to places of your preference. Your guide will work with you to fit preferences into the time you've booked.

What is Owino Market like, and what will I see there?

Owino Market, also called St. Balikuddembe Market, is one of Uganda's largest and most vibrant markets, located in downtown Kampala. You'll find fresh produce, secondhand clothing, cooked and uncooked food, spices and herbal medicines, with street food stalls where local dishes are prepared.

How does the motorbike tour work? Do I ride the whole time?

You ride pillion behind your guide between stops, then dismount to walk through sites like the palace, museum and markets on foot. The guide handles the bike and navigation while you focus on the landmarks and neighborhoods.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes a clean helmet and hair net, bottled water, a local snack (usually a Rolex), and a professional English-speaking driver guide. The guide covers route planning and historical context at each stop.

Is this tour suitable for teenagers, or only adults?

Children are welcome from age 13. Riders must have at least moderate physical fitness, and the tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy or poor cardiovascular health.