Hotels in Kampala

Hotels in Kampala: prices, timing and locations

When to book a stay in Kampala for less

In Kampala prices follow the weather and the flow of visitors. It is cheapest in May, in the middle of the rainy season, when fewer guests come to the city. It is priciest in April, when demand rises despite the rains. The most comfortable months to travel are the dry seasons, from December to February and from June to August, though that is also when traffic and prices are higher. The day of the week matters too: Friday is usually the cheapest and Saturday the priciest. A last-minute room can be genuinely cheap, and a typical stay runs about five nights, just right for sightseeing and trips to the lake.

How much a stay costs by property type

The choice is wide, from a cheap homestay and hostel to serviced apartments, boutique spa hotels and five-star resorts. Simple rooms and apartments are cheapest, while top-tier hotels and lakeside properties cost the most. Below are rough nightly rates for two people.

Rates are indicative for a double room. In Kampala the gap between cheap May and pricier April, and between Friday and Saturday, can be large, so check the real price for your dates in the search box above.

Where a stay is cheaper or pricier

In Kampala it matters which hill and how close to the centre you sleep. The most convenient but priciest is around Nakasero and Kololo, the business and diplomatic districts with the best hotels and restaurants. It is quieter and greener in Munyonyo by Lake Victoria, where resorts overlook the water. The cheapest stays are further from the centre and around Entebbe airport, from where a lakeside road reaches the city. The closer to the centre and the higher the standard, the higher the rate.

Which stay in Kampala suits whom

• For families. Hotels near the Uganda Museum and the Makerere Botanical Gardens, with family rooms and space to walk. Plenty of educational attractions within reach.
• In luxury. Top-tier hotels, such as the Kampala Serena Hotel, with elegant rooms, a pool and restaurants. Calm and comfort in the middle of a busy city.
• By the lake. Resorts in Munyonyo, such as the Speke Resort Munyonyo, with Lake Victoria views, a pool and a spa. Ideal for combining the city with rest by the water.
• For couples. Boutique hotels with character, such as the Fairway Boutique Hotel, with an intimate interior and close to restaurants. A good pick for a quiet stay for two.
• On a budget. Cheap homestays, hostels and simple rooms, such as the Koki Hotel, with basic standards. The cheapest option for a stay in the city.
• Near the airport. Properties around Entebbe, close to the airport and the lake, handy for a first or last night before a flight or a safari trip.

Sample hotels in Kampala with prices

From a cheap city hotel to a five-star property, a few Kampala addresses with a from price. This is only a starting point, as rates in the dry season and at weekends can climb noticeably.

From prices for a double room. In Kampala the rate for the same property in the dry season and out of it can differ markedly, so check your exact dates in the search box.

When Kampala is pricier

The most visitors come in the dry seasons, from December to February and from June to August, when trips to the lake and on safari are easier. That is when traffic and prices are higher and the best hotels fill faster. Events can also push prices up, such as the October Kampala City Festival or the nyama choma festival. In the rainy seasons, from March to May and from September to November, it is quieter and cheaper, though the rains can be heavy and may disrupt travel. That is a good time for museums, botanical gardens and local food, such as matoke or luwombo, without the crowds.