What to do in Kampala for Christmas 2019?
Christmas in Kampala is very much a family affair. Unlike most places in the world, Christmas in Kampala can be very quiet with very few events, the roads are abandoned, not a soul in sight.. Kampala almost feels like a ghost town. Most Ugandans spend Christmas at home when in Kampala with their families or travel to their villages for an extended Christmas gathering.
So, if you are visiting Kampala during Christmas this year and are wondering what to do, we are outlining a few things you could do:
- Get out of the city
If you are travelling to Uganda, plan your holiday such that you spend the Christmas period at a lodge in a national park, a getaway such as Bunyonyi or Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi. Most of these lodges will have fabulous Christmas deals on (they may be expensive) but it may be worth experiencing Christmas in a different way altogether. What fun it would be to visit these sights when something special has been planned for Christmas rather than on any other day of the year: Be sure to check the weather forecast though as you don’t want to spend your Christmas indoors if it rains a lot. The trek eg in Bwindi Impenetrable forest can be quite muddy and it may be difficult to spot the animals in the wild.
2. Stock up on food and celebrate like every other family on Christmas
Christmas is pretty much dead in Kampala town. What better way to celebrate than with your friends and family at home? Rent an apartment/suite – like ours 🙂 stock up on food, drinks and everything your heart desires before Christmas, gather your friends and family and spend Christmas together like every other family in Kampala. Play Monopoly, sing Christmas songs, make Christmas crafts, open your Christmas gifts and simply be merry on Christmas day. (Be sure to bring boardgames as it may be difficult to find these in Kampala. You probably won’t find the Monopoly you want).
3. Attend a Church Service on Christmas Day
Ugandans love going to Church. Infact, the church service in Kampala is one to experience. There will be church services everywhere in Kampala, simply speak to a local and tag along. Ugandans love to buy new clothes and look their very best on Christmas day. Get involved in this custom. Accompanied with Christmas carols, you will experience Christmas in an entirely new way in Kampala and it will be an experience to remember. There may even be some local Christmas events or Nativity plays to attend and a very unusual thing people do, is attend football matches. Yup, apparently it is a thing to organise sports tournaments on Christmas day here in Uganda.
4. Dining, Wining and Dancing
For those who are spending Christmas in Kampala, there will always be some clubs/bars open for the party people. Check out which restaurants/bars are open; there may be special Christmas events planned and dance nights so if you love dancing, keep your dancing shoes on the ready. Some hotels may also host some special Christmas events.
5. Check out some of the offers at hotels in Kampala
5 star hotels in Kampala, Uganda, will usually put on large Christmas buffets to celebrate Christmas. These include Sheraton, Protea, Speke Resort. If it is a sunny day, it might be nice to even go for a swim at these hotels.
At our hotel, we have Christmas offers for two days in December. It could be 24th/25th December or 25th/26th December or indeed any two days in December as below. Cupcakes will be provided on arrival for each guest as well as a bottle of red wine. You will have complimentary access to our pool and gym and it will be a fabulous way to have a relaxing staycation in Kampala itself, right in the city centre. No need to travel miles outside Kampala to relax.
Simply call us on 0751220101 to Book these offers and make your Christmas in Kampala a fabulous one!
