Kampala for AFCON 2027.
The Pearl of Africa.

Kampala's dining scene is centred on Kololo Hill and Nakasero — two elevated residential areas that have become the city's primary eating-out destinations. The cuisine range is broader than most visitors expect: excellent Indian restaurants around Garden City, strong Ethiopian options, solid international fare on Acacia Avenue and some genuinely good Ugandan cuisine at places like Fasika. Lake Victoria waterfront options in Munyonyo offer a completely different atmosphere — eating on the water with the lake stretching to the horizon.

Kampala sits at the northern shore of Lake Victoria — the world's second largest freshwater lake. The Munyonyo area has the best waterfront restaurants and a resort hotel that gives easy access to boat trips on the lake. A Lake Victoria sunset cruise is one of Kampala's most atmospheric experiences — the lake is vast, the light in the evening is spectacular and it's genuinely unlike anything else in East Africa.

Kampala's wellness scene has grown significantly. The luxury hotels in Kololo and Nakasero have proper spa facilities. Standalone wellness studios around the Kololo area offer good massage and bodywork at reasonable prices. For a full recovery day, the Serena Kampala has one of the most complete spa operations in the city.

Uganda is one of the world's great wildlife destinations. From Kampala, Jinja (where the Nile begins) is 90 minutes away — white water rafting on the Nile is one of East Africa's signature adrenaline experiences. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and its mountain gorillas are 5-6 hours away — a gorilla trek is the world's most extraordinary wildlife encounter and worth planning around AFCON fixtures.

Mandela National Stadium

Kampala's primary AFCON venue is in Namboole, east of the city. Allow 45+ minutes from Kololo during match days — Namboole road traffic is notoriously congested for big events.

Kampala's nightlife

Kampala has one of East Africa's best nightlife scenes and it runs late. Acacia Avenue is the main strip. Ugandan music (Afrobeats with a distinctly Ugandan flavour) plays in every bar. AFCON evenings in Kampala will be among the tournament's best.

Getting around Kampala

Uber and SafeBoda (motorcycle taxi) are the main transport options. Kampala has considerable traffic in its seven hills geography. SafeBoda is the fastest option in traffic and the drivers know the city intimately.