The people of Kampala, and Ugandans in general, are very kind and friendly and are very approachable. Kampala, with a population of approximately 2.5 million, is by far the largest city in Uganda. It is not yet completely overwhelmed with traffic and sprawl like Nairobi and Lagos. Additionally, Kampala is very safe to walk around, even at night, a welcome fact for many a high-strung visitor arriving from Nairobi.Uganda, as the recipient of massive amounts of Western aid money, hosts large numbers of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Most of those NGOs are based in Kampala, so there is an established expat scene in the city.’When coming to Kampala by air, you will arrive in the city of Entebbe, 35 km southwest of Kampala.Typically, you will be required to pay USD $50 for the entry visa, so have the money ready in cash (USD or UBX, although EUR and GBP are also accepted) to pay at passport control. They do not accept credit cards. Check whether a visa is required before arrival for your specific nationality. As of September, 2019, visas on arrival are still available for most nationalities, but you might need to explain why you did not apply online. Normally you will need to show an international vaccination certificate for yellow fever. However, the rule is not applied strictly.You can get from Entebbe to Kampala (1.5 h) by taxi (approximately UBX 60,000). A cheaper option is to take a short taxi ride to the Taxi Park in Entebbe (approximately UBX 5,000), where you can find minibuses that go to the Taxi Park in central Kampala (UBX 3,000 one way). Hotel shuttles (e.g., with the Sheraton) are also available.Buses, including overnight options, travel from Nairobi to Kampala (13 h). Companies include Mash Poa and Modern Coast, and cost from 2,400 Kenyan shillings upwards.There are three main methods of public transportation: boda bodas, matatus, and special hires. The fastest method is by boda boda, the motorcycles seen all over the city. You won’t be in Kampala long before being propositioned by a boda driver. If you’re not interested, a simple ‘no’ will get them to leave you alone. Boda bodas are dangerous as their drivers will do whatever it takes to get you to your destination quickly. Expect to dart in front of and against traffic and even through crowds of pedestrians when necessary. Boda boda accidents account for most of the hospital visits and traffic fatalities in Kampala, so ride with caution. Boda bodas typically charge UGX 3,000 to 5,000 for trips within Kampala (as of September, 2019). It is almost impossible to get anywhere for under 2000 UGX, and longer trips may run you up to UGX 7,000. It is important to make sure to agree on the fare before the ride begins. For a safer ride, book a driver through Uber or the SafeBoda app, or look for drivers wearing an orange Safe Boda vest

Airport: EBB Entebbe International Airport Cities in Uganda

Country: Uganda