Kampala City Tour: Kasubi Tombs, Museums & Shrines Full Day

Walk through Kampala's royal palaces and sacred sites in a single day

A full-day private Kampala city tour covers the capital's history, culture and spirituality across nine stops: the CBD landmarks, Kabaka's Palace and Royal Mile, Gadhafi Mosque with city views, Kasubi Tombs, Makerere University, Kalerwe Market, Baha'i Temple, Uganda National Museum and Uganda Martyrs' Shrine. An English-speaking driver-guide leads the route. Shared 4WD minibus transport, entrance fees, lunch and water are included. The tour runs 9 to 10 hours and returns you to your hotel at the end.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Kabaka's Palace2h · entry included
2. Uganda National Mosque2h · entry included
3. Kasubi Tombs1h · entry included
4. Uganda Museum1h · entry included
5. Uganda Martyrs' Shrine1h · entry included

Explore Kampala's history and culture

• Visit Independence Monument and landmarks
• Explore Nakasero Market and Hindu temples
• Tour Kabaka’s Palace and Buganda Kingdom sites
• Climb Gadhafi Mosque for city views
• Visit Kasubi Tombs UNESCO site
• Drive through Makerere University campus
• Pass Kalerwe Market and visit Baha’i Temple
• Tour Uganda National Museum and have lunch
• Visit Uganda Martyrs’ Shrine and museum

The experience

Kampala spreads across seven hills, and this tour threads through all of them. You start in the CBD with the Independence Monument, Nakasero Market (established 1895), and the Uganda National Cultural Centre, then move into the Buganda Kingdom section to visit the Kabaka's Palace, where you see the Idi Amin Armory and learn the royal family's history. The Royal Mile follows, passing the Bulange (Buganda Parliament) and Kabaka's Monument. At the Gadhafi Mosque, you climb the minaret for a 360-degree view of the city's famous hills and landmarks like Fort Lugard, built in 1800.

The Kasubi Tombs come next: a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the burial ground for the last four Kabakas of Buganda, where traditional rituals are still observed. From there you drive through Makerere University, Africa's third oldest institution (founded 1922), passing the Old University Library and Main Administration Building. Kalerwe Market, Kampala's second-largest local market, offers a chance to photograph the bustle or pick up fresh fruit before you reach the Baha'i Temple on Kikaya Hill. The temple sits in lush gardens and closes on Mondays. It's a rare spiritual landmark in Africa and a quiet place to pause.

The Uganda National Museum, East Africa's oldest (established 1908), rounds out the cultural stops with displays of the country's history and heritage. After lunch at a local restaurant, the tour concludes at the Uganda Martyrs' Shrine, where Christian martyrs were persecuted in 1885–1887. The Basilica was consecrated in 1993 and has hosted three papal visits. Your visit includes the Martyrs Museum and Holy Water Lake. The driver-guide handles all the stops and returns you to your hotel when the day ends.

What’s included

• Shared transport in a 4WD minibus.
• entrance fees at all stopovers.
• a local lunch and mineral water.
• an English-speaking driver-guide for the full route.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (14 to 85 years) · Under 14: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Gazelle Safari Company

Is this one for you?The 9 to 10 hour commitment means you see Kampala's major historical, cultural and spiritual sites in one day without splitting the experience across multiple visits. If your schedule is tighter, a shorter city highlights tour would fit better. If you want to linger at any single site, a private guide and vehicle rental would give you that flexibility.

Traveler reviews

4.50★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What is inside the Kasubi Tombs?

The Kasubi Tombs are the burial ground for the last four Kabakas (Kings) of Buganda and remain a spiritual centre for the royal family. Traditional rituals and cultural practices are still observed there, preserving Buganda's heritage.

Can I climb the Gadhafi Mosque minaret?

Yes. The Gadhafi Mosque stop includes climbing the minaret, which gives a 360-degree view of Kampala's seven hills and landmarks like Fort Lugard and Old Kampala Senior Secondary School.

Is the Baha'i Temple open every day?

The Baha'i Temple is closed on Mondays. On other days, you can walk through the lush gardens and spend time in quiet reflection inside the temple.

What does the Uganda National Museum show?

The Uganda National Museum, East Africa's oldest (founded 1908), displays Uganda's history, culture and heritage across its exhibits. It's a key cultural stop on the tour.

How long does the tour take?

The full-day tour runs 9 to 10 hours from pickup to return. It covers nine major stops across Kampala's CBD, royal sites, markets, temples and shrines.

What happened at the Uganda Martyrs' Shrine?

The shrine marks where Christian martyrs were persecuted between 1885 and 1887 under Kabaka Mwanga II. The Basilica was built over nine years and consecrated in 1993. It has welcomed three papal visits. Your visit includes the Martyrs Museum and Holy Water Lake.