How to Find Cheap Hotels in Kampala, Uganda
Just like Rome, the city of Kampala, the capital of Uganda, is built on seven hills. A large city of over a million people, Kampala doesn't suffer from the same overcrowding, urban sprawl and crime as many other big African cities, and visitors find the residents to be open and friendly.
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Instructions
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Choose the Right Accommodations
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To book accommodations, contact Uganda Tourist Board at 011 (+256) 41 342 196/7 or visit their Web site (see Resources, below). (If calling internationally but not from the United States or Canada, call 00 (+256) 41 342 196/7.)
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Stay at one of Kampala's more modest local hotels as a cheap alternative. Rooms can cost as little as $20 to $40 per night.
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Use one of the cheap guesthouses that are growing in popularity and give visitors a better perspective on life in Uganda. These accommodations can cost as little as $20 per night.
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Choose an international hostel for your stay in Kampala, which will cost less than $10 per day.
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Consider a mid-priced hotel room from a major chain. These accommodations can be relatively cheap, costing from $80 to $150 per night.
Get to Kampala
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Fly to Entebbe-Kampala International Airport, which is actually located in Entebbe, about 22 miles away.
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Take one of the many minibuses, known as matatus, to get to your hotel from the airport.
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Utilize one of the many cabs to get around town.
Discover Kampala
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Visit the National Preserve near Bujagali Falls to see the source of the Nile River.
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Take a walk to the Bahai Temple, one of the very few in Africa, for a great view of the entire city.
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Discover the three sacred hills in Kampala: Rubaga Hill for Catholics, Namirembe Hill for Protestants and Kibuli Hill for Muslims.
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Tips & Warnings
All phone numbers include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
Traffic is generally not a problem yet in Kampala, despite the size of the city.
It's generally considered safe to walk around Kampala at night, unlike most large African cities.
Don't use your credit card when paying for services or goods in Kampala, because there's a good chance of fraud. It's better to withdraw money from an ATM machine.
Boda-boda motorcycle taxis are very dangerous and are the cause of most traffic accidents in Kampala. The city is considering a ban on this form of transportation. Don't be tempted by the convenience of using one, even if you are able to find a helmet.
Kampala has been hit unusually hard by AIDS and HIV, more than anywhere else in Uganda. Around 9 percent of adults have been infected, and almost half of all sex workers.
