Things to Do in Kampala in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Kampala
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Kampala experiences its long rainy season in April, which means the city is lush and green, the dust settles, and the air quality improves dramatically compared to the dry months. The rains typically come as afternoon downpours that clear within 30-45 minutes rather than all-day drizzle, so you can still plan morning activities with confidence.
- Tourist numbers drop significantly during the rainy season, meaning you'll have attractions like the Kasubi Tombs, Uganda Museum, and Ndere Cultural Centre practically to yourself. Hotels in mid-range and upscale categories often drop rates by 15-25% compared to the dry season peak in July-August.
- April marks the tail end of the migratory bird season, making it exceptional for birdwatching around Mabamba Swamp and the botanical gardens at Entebbe. You'll catch species that have already left by May, and the wet conditions bring out incredible numbers of insects that attract the birds.
- The agricultural calendar means fresh produce floods the markets in April. Owino Market and Nakasero Market overflow with mangoes, passion fruit, jackfruit, and avocados at rock-bottom prices. Street food vendors have access to the best ingredients of the year, and the rolex (chapati rolled with eggs and vegetables) tastes noticeably better when the vegetables are this fresh.
Considerations
- The rain creates genuine infrastructure challenges. Kampala's drainage system gets overwhelmed quickly, and roads in neighborhoods like Kabalagala, Ntinda, and parts of Kampala Road flood within 20 minutes of heavy rain starting. If you're caught in traffic during a downpour, a 3 km (1.9 mile) journey can take 90 minutes. Boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) become less reliable as riders understandably refuse trips during storms.
- The humidity at 70% combined with temperatures around 27°C (81°F) creates a muggy, sticky feeling that takes a few days to adjust to. Air conditioning isn't standard in budget accommodations or local restaurants, and you'll find yourself changing shirts twice a day. The dampness also means clothes take forever to dry if you're hand-washing.
- Some outdoor activities become impractical or get cancelled last-minute. Hiking trails in the Mpanga Forest or around Lake Victoria's shores turn muddy and slippery. Tour operators running day trips to Jinja for white-water rafting or Ssezibwa Falls sometimes cancel if the rain is particularly heavy, though this only happens maybe 2-3 days per month on average.
Best Activities in April
Uganda Museum and Cultural Heritage Sites
April's unpredictable afternoon rains make indoor cultural activities particularly smart. The Uganda Museum in Kamwokya offers genuine insight into Ugandan ethnography, archaeology, and history without the crowds you'd face in July or December. The Kasubi Tombs (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Bahai Temple are best visited in the morning between 8am-11am before the typical afternoon showers. The humidity actually makes the experience more authentic, as this is how locals experience these sites year-round rather than in artificial dry-season conditions.
Mabamba Swamp Shoebill Tracking
April is actually one of the best months for spotting the prehistoric-looking shoebill stork at Mabamba Swamp, about 50 km (31 miles) west of Kampala. The wetlands are at their fullest, and the birds are more active in the cooler, cloudy conditions that April brings. Early morning departures around 6am-7am mean you're back before the afternoon rains typically start around 2pm-4pm. The swamp tours involve motorized canoes through papyrus channels, and the rain has made the waterways more navigable than in the dry months.
Kampala Food Market Tours and Cooking Experiences
April's harvest season makes this the absolute best month for food-focused experiences. Nakasero Market, Owino Market, and the smaller neighborhood markets overflow with produce that's both cheaper and more varied than any other time of year. Cooking class experiences typically start with a market visit around 9am-10am, then move to a kitchen for hands-on preparation of Ugandan staples like matoke (steamed plantains), groundnut sauce, and posho. The indoor nature of cooking classes makes them perfect rain-backup activities.
Entebbe Botanical Gardens and Lake Victoria Waterfront
The 40-hectare botanical gardens in Entebbe, about 35 km (22 miles) from central Kampala, are spectacular in April when everything is lush and flowering. The gardens sit right on Lake Victoria's shore and host several primate species including black-and-white colobus monkeys and vervet monkeys. Birdwatching is exceptional with over 115 species recorded. The tree canopy provides natural rain shelter, and the gardens have covered pavilions if you need to wait out a shower. Combine this with a visit to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre next door for a full day trip.
Ndere Cultural Centre Evening Performances
The Ndere Centre in Ntinda hosts traditional dance and music performances every Sunday evening and occasional weekday shows. April is ideal because the indoor theatre means weather is irrelevant, and the lower tourist season means better seat availability. The 90-minute performances showcase dances and music from Uganda's diverse ethnic groups, and the energy is genuine rather than tourist-theatre. The venue includes a restaurant serving Ugandan cuisine, so you can make it a full evening experience.
Kampala City Walking Tours and Neighborhood Exploration
April mornings between 8am-12pm offer the best conditions for walking tours before the afternoon humidity and rain arrive. Focus on neighborhoods like Old Kampala with its mosques and Indian architecture, the downtown commercial district around Kampala Road, or the hillside residential areas. The cooler, cloudy conditions of April actually make walking more comfortable than the intense sun of January-February. The city's seven hills give you workout enough without adding blazing heat. Local guides can navigate you through the organized chaos of taxi parks and markets in ways you'd never manage alone.
April Events & Festivals
Easter Weekend Celebrations
Easter falls in April 2026 (April 5th specifically), and Kampala takes the holiday seriously. Churches hold special services, families gather for large meals, and many businesses close from Good Friday through Easter Monday. The Rubaga Cathedral and Namirembe Cathedral hold particularly significant services. Markets get exceptionally busy in the days before Easter as people shop for celebration meals. Worth experiencing if you want to see Kampala in full family-gathering mode, though expect limited restaurant options and closed shops on Easter Sunday itself.