Activities

Nearby Attractions and Things to Do Méstil Hotel & Residences, Kampala, Uganda

Méstil Hotel & Residences, Kampala is located in Nsambya along Barracks Drive, the Kampala Hotel provides easy access to many of Kampala's cultural, historical, shopping, entertainment, and business attractions. Its central location makes it an excellent base for both leisure and business travelers exploring Uganda's capital city.

Cultural & Historic Sites

Kasubi Tombs

The World Heritage Site comprises around 26 hectares (64 acres) on the Kasubi hill in the city of Kampala, about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) northwest of the city centre.

Most of the site is open agricultural land that is farmed using traditional techniques. One corner contains a royal palace built in 1882 by Muteesa I, the 35th Kabaka of Buganda, to replace a palace built by his built by his father, Ssuuna II in 1820. The new palace became a royal burial ground on his death in 1884. The site is one of 31 royal tombs across the Buganda kingdom since the kingdom was founded in the 13th century. Traditionally, the body of the deceased king was buried in one place, with a separate shrine for the deceased king's jawbone, believed to contain his soul.

Namirembe Cathedral Anglican church located along Cathedral Hill Rd Roughly 1.6 miles away from Méstil Hotel & Residences, Kampala.

Walk up Namirembe Hill to explore Uganda's oldest cathedral and enjoy a fantastic view of the Kampala city.

The Uganda National Mosque, previously known as the Gaddafi National Mosque, is a mosque located at Kampala Hill in the Old Kampala area of Kampala, Uganda.

This Kampala Mosque is the largest mosque in East Africa in a country where, as of 2014, 13.7% of the population was Muslim.

The Mosque Old Kampala is located 2.9 miles away from Méstil Hotel & Residences, Kampala. Visitors can scale the towering minaret for the ultimate 360-degree panoramic skyline view of Kampala.

Mengo Palace - Olubiri lwe Mengo

Built in 1922, the palace was the former home of the king of Buganda, though it has remained empty since 1966 when Prime Minister Milton Obote ordered an attack to oust Kabaka Mutesa II, the president of Uganda by then. Led by the forces of Idi Amin, soldiers stormed the palace and, after several days of fighting, Mutesa was forced into exile. The building's interior cannot be visited, but the notorious underground prison here is open to tours.

Iddi Amin's Armory constructed by the Isrealites in 1970 but later turned into a TORTURE Chamber

Uganda National Museum

The biggest and the oldest Museum in Uganda which founded in 1908, the Uganda Museums remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history. The Uganda Museum is situated five kilometers away from the Kampala city centre on plot 5 Kira road. When coming from Kampala, pass through Wandegeya trading centre and by Mulago hospital. Just before Kamwokya Town is a large sign post reading Uganda Museum. The Uganda Museum is the oldest in East Africa with a collection exceeding one million specimens. The core of the collections is ethnography and fossils.

Baha'i Temple

There is only one Baha'i temple on each continent, and Africa's happens to be in Kampala. The beautiful domed cathedral sits on a hill surrounded by peaceful gardens, and since the Baha'i are such an inclusive faith anyone is welcome to tour the grounds or to enjoy a Sunday service.

Ndere Cultural Centre

If you're interested in traditional dance and music, try to catch a dinner-theatre performance of the Ndere Troupe at Ndere Centre - Kisaasi. Ndere Cultural Centre showcase dances from Uganda's tribal groups with high-energy shows taking place in a 700-seat amphitheatre on Sundays at 6pm, Wednesday at 7pm and Fridays afro-jazz from 7pm.

The Uganda National Theatre aka Kampala National Theatre

The Centre has two main components: the National Theatre and the Nommo Gallery, both of which are located in central Kampala. The National Theatre provides a venue for stage performances of different kinds, and also serves as a cinema; the Nommo Gallery features exhibitions of works of art by both Ugandan and foreign artists. The Centre also offers a snack bar, which claims to offer the "best African dishes served with best spices and ambience", and the Craft Village, where locally made handicrafts are sold

Kampala Wonder World Amusement Park

The 17-acre Kampala landmark, which served as Uganda’s premier family entertainment centre for over two decades, was acquired and completely cleared by the International University of East Africa (IUEA) to make way for new university campus expansion projects, including modern lecture rooms, laboratories, and research facilities.

Uganda Golf Club

Welcome to Uganda Golf Club, the home of golf in Uganda. Located in the heart of Kampala City, Uganda Golf Club offers a fair test of skill and patience. Standing on the first tee, one feels removed from the hustle and bustle of city life

Pope Paul Memorial Monuments Pope Paul Memorial Monuments 3.7 km

Local Markets & Shopping

Guests staying at the Méstil Hotel & Residences, Kampala in Lugala, Kampala enjoy a prime central location near the historic Kasubi Tombs. This provides quick access to Kampala's busiest commercial centers, traditional craft hubs, and sprawling local markets

Kasubi Market - Kasubi market Kampala is your absolute closest traditional market, situated just minutes up the road from the hotel near the historic Kasubi Tombs.

What to buy at Kasubi Market: A highly convenient, bustling neighborhood Kasubi market is a perfect spot for picking up daily fresh fruits, vegetables, matooke, and quick household essentials without dealing with downtown traffic.

Mengo Market Kampala is located in the nearby historic royal suburb of Mengo.

What to buy at Mengo Market: A smaller, calmer community market known for fresh organic greens, local root crops, and small retail clothing stalls catering to the neighborhood.

Busega Market Kampala Positioned right at the busy Busega roundabout, a major gateway junction where the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway meets the Northern Bypass.

What to buy at Busega Market Kampala: A massive regional transit hub famous for wholesale and retail farm-fresh produce arriving straight from western Uganda. It is highly affordable for bulk buying.

Nateete Market: Located in Lubaga Division, Nateete Market is considered as one of the largest and busiest suburban municipal markets in southwestern Kampala, located just down the road from Busega.

What to buy at Nateete Market: It features a sprawling layout packed with fresh meats, fish, local staple foods, affordable tailoring services, and a large selection of budget retail items.

Kibuye Market: Situated further south along the Kampala-Entebbe Road corridor.
What to buy at Kibuye Market: A massive, high-energy commercial market specializing in second-hand shoes, budget clothing, hardware items, plastics, and local poultry.

Owino Market also known as St. Balikuddembe Market

Owino Market, officially known as St. Balikuddembe Market, is the largest, busiest, and most vibrant open-air marketplace in Kampala, Uganda. Located in the heart of downtown Kampala along Kafumbe Mukasa Road, Owino Market covers over 7 hectares of land and hosts upwards of 50,000 vendors, attracting over 300,000 shoppers daily

Nakasero Market - A historic, highly popular food market situated in the lower tier of Nakasero hill in Central Kampala.

What to buy at Nakasero Market: Premium, fresh organic fruits, vegetables, local Ugandan spices, and wholesale grains.

Souvenirs & Cultural Craft Markets

Kampala city features these major, distinct zones for authentic African art, handmade souvenirs, and cultural gifts. Each destination offers a different shopping atmosphere and specialty items

Buganda Road Craft Village 

Also known as Buganda Road Craft Market is Kampala's largest and most famous concentrated craft market in Uganda. The Buganda Road Craft Village consists of dense rows of permanent wooden stalls and shops packed side-by-side.

Key Spots at Buganda Road Craft Village: Bagala Craft store, Exposure Africa market and the African Craft Village market.

What to buy at Buganda Road Craft Village: A massive variety of East African hand made crafts and art products.

Look for intricately hand-woven Ugandan banana leaf baskets, vibrant Kitenge clothing, Masai leather sandals, beaded jewelry, and large wildlife canvas paintings. Handmade wooden bowls, African board games, canvas paintings.

National Theatre Crafts Village (De Winton Street) Near Parliament

Located right behind the Uganda National Theatre, The National Theatre Crafts Village is a relaxed, open-air cultural marketplace run by the National Arts and Cultural Crafts Association of Uganda ([NACCAU].

What to buy at the National Theatre Crafts Village: This Kampala souvenirs & cultural craft market is Best known for authentic Ugandan tribal art, rare traditional musical instruments (like drums, adungus, and thumb

Buganda Crafts Ring Road (Mengo Craft & Culture Centre)
Situated in the historic royal borough of Mengo Palace near the Bulange (the Buganda Parliament building), this location focuses explicitly on Buganda Kingdom heritage and cultural preservation.

What to buy Buganda Crafts Ring Road Market:

This market offers highly authentic Kiganda cultural artifacts. Look for traditional Barkcloth textiles (organic fabric harvested from Fig trees), royal gourds, woven Buganda mats, and specialized historical literature or regalia.

Buganda Crafts market along Ring Road Mengo behaves more like a cultural tourism center rather than a standard commercial market.

Visitors can frequently see artisans actively crafting items or participating in cultural storytelling workshops.

Modern Shopping Malls

Pro-Tips for Kampala Shopping

Money: Traditional stalls deal strictly in Uganda Shillings (UGX) cash. Ensure you break large bills before heading into dense areas like Owino.

Transit: The most effective way to beat Kampala’s central traffic from your hotel is by calling a digital ride-hailing motorcycle or a private special car rental

Would you like to know about how to get to the market from your current location, or are you looking for specific shopping recommendations within Kampala?

Contact Responsible Tourism Company Uganda East Africa

• Phone / WhatsApp: +256 704 023485
• Email: info@responsibletourismcompany.com

For transport assistance, shopping recommendations, guided city tours, hotel bookings, and local travel experiences in Kampala and across Uganda, contact Responsible Tourism Company Uganda East Africa.

Whether you need directions, transport arrangements, or a guided shopping experience, Responsible Tourism Company Uganda East Africa can help make your visit smooth and enjoyable.

Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC Zoo) – Entebbe Zoo

The Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (Entebbe Zoo) is located 15 minutes from Entebbe International Airport, 36 kilometers from Uganda's capital Kampala. The centre cares for rescued animals, often victims of bush meat trade, habitat destruction, or illegal trade. Individuals that can make it in the wild, are released back. We don't buy animals nor use them for entertainment, but rather as ambassadors to help save and maintain those in the wild, wild! Listen to interpretative talks from our; keepers, guides work with animals every day. You can sign up as an animal surrogate mother for a day, participate in behind the scene experiences or simply spend a night in our hostel or African cottages as you await your flight or meeting! Our facility is ideal for both short and long stay/ visits, whilst in Uganda. Secure day and night parking available or quick access to public transport/ taxi is just a call away. We are always thrilled to receive your at UWEC Zoo, Entebbe.
Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC Zoo) – Entebbe Zoo

Institutions Nearby Méstil Hotel & Residences, Kampala Uganda

• Makerere University Kampala
• Kampala International University
• International University Of East Africa
• Cavendish University Uganda

Landmarks Nearby Méstil Hotel & Residences, Kampala Uganda

• Rubaga Cathedral
• Kabaka's Palace
• Saint Paul's Cathedral Namirembe
• Gaddafi National Mosque
• Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine
• Monuments
• Kasubi Royal Tombs
• Pope Paul Memorial
• Independence Monument

Museums Nearby Méstil Hotel & Residences, Kampala Uganda

• Fort Lugard Museum
• Uganda Museum
• Semagulu Museum

Parks

• Disney World Kiwatule Najjera
• Disney Amusement Play
• Kids World Water Park
• Canopy Gardens Kasokoso in Kampala
• Wonder World Amusement Park - Kansanga, Kampala
• Aqua World Water Park Kampala
• Akamwesi Shopping Mall
• Children Fun Park

Shopping areas Nearby Méstil Hotel & Residences, Kampala Uganda

• Kamu Kamu Plaza
• Oasis Mall Shopping mall
• Victoria Mall
• Sri Ganesh Plaza
• Lugogo Mall Shopping
• Kingdom Kampala
• Kajjansi Market
• Kabalagala Market
• Nakumatt Oasis
• Lugogo Mall
• Bugolobi Market
• Capital shoppers Kampala
• Arena Mall

Airports Nearby Méstil Hotel & Residences, Kampala Uganda

• Entebbe International Airport (EBB)

Railway stations

• Kampala Railway Station

Most popular cities Nearby Méstil Hotel & Residences, Kampala Uganda

• Lubaga
• Nateete
• Munyonyo
• Kireka
• Muyenga

Start planning your Uganda safari tour vacation with our list of the best day trips from Kampala by road.  

The best day trips from Kampala by road: charming town, lush forests, and friendly people

Enjoy easy day trips from Kampala with Uganda’s Top Rated Safari Tour Operators in Uganda | Responsible Tourism Company 1 of all Uganda eco tours and explore Uganda.