Things to Do in Kampala in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Kampala
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- March sits right at the end of the dry season, giving you mostly clear mornings perfect for exploring the city's seven hills without getting drenched. You'll get those crisp 18°C (64°F) mornings that make walking around Old Kampala or Nakasero Market actually pleasant before the midday heat kicks in.
- The city is noticeably quieter than the December-January peak tourist season. You'll find better rates on guesthouses in Kololo and Ntinda, typically 20-30% lower than high season, and major sites like the Kasubi Tombs and Uganda Museum are manageable without the crush of group tours.
- March timing means you catch the tail end of the best birdwatching season around the Botanical Gardens and Mabamba Swamp. The water levels are still ideal for spotting shoebills, and migratory species haven't left yet. Local guides report this is actually better than February because the vegetation is less dense.
- The matoke harvest is in full swing, and you'll find the freshest produce at Nakawa and Owino markets. Local restaurants are serving the best versions of groundnut stew and matooke dishes. The mangoes are starting to come in too, which locals will tell you is the real marker of March in Kampala.
Considerations
- Those 10 rainy days listed are misleading because March is when the long rains typically START building up. You might hit early March and get lucky with clear skies, or you might arrive mid-month and catch the beginning of proper afternoon downpours that last 1-2 hours, not just sprinkles. The weather is genuinely unpredictable this month.
- The humidity at 70% combined with 28°C (83°F) highs creates that sticky, energy-sapping heat that hits hardest between 11am-3pm. If you're not used to tropical humidity, you'll find yourself needing more breaks than expected, and walking the 2 km (1.2 miles) from the National Theatre to Nakasero Market will feel longer than it looks on a map.
- March is shoulder season for a reason - it's the awkward transition month. Book too many outdoor activities and you risk rain cancellations. The Nile rafting operators in Jinja, 80 km (50 miles) east, start seeing inconsistent water conditions as rain patterns shift. You're essentially gambling on whether you get early March weather or late March weather.
Best Activities in March
Kampala City Walking Tours
March mornings between 7am-10am are genuinely ideal for exploring the city center on foot before the heat becomes oppressive. The 18°C (64°F) morning temperatures make climbing up to the Old Kampala Mosque or walking through Nakasero Market comfortable. You'll want to focus on the compact downtown area covering roughly 3-4 km (1.9-2.5 miles) total. The occasional cloud cover this month actually helps with the UV index of 8, though you still need serious sun protection after 10am.
Mabamba Swamp Shoebill Tracking
March is actually one of the last good months for shoebill sightings before the heavy rains make the swamp less accessible in April-May. The water levels are still manageable, and the birds haven't dispersed yet. You're looking at a full morning activity, leaving Kampala around 5:30am for the 50 km (31 mile) drive to reach the swamp by sunrise. The early start means you avoid the worst heat, and success rates for spotting shoebills are still around 80% this month according to local guides.
Boda Boda Motorcycle Tours
This is the most efficient way to cover Kampala's sprawling layout across its seven hills, and March weather is variable enough that you'll want the flexibility to duck under cover if rain threatens. A typical tour covers 15-20 km (9-12 miles) over 3-4 hours, hitting Rubaga Cathedral, the Gaddafi Mosque, Kasubi Tombs, and viewpoints most tourists never reach. The morning slot is crucial in March because afternoon storms can pop up quickly, though that's also when you see the city at its most dramatic with storm clouds rolling in.
Ndere Cultural Centre Performances
Perfect indoor backup for those unpredictable March afternoons when rain might cancel outdoor plans. The Wednesday and Sunday evening performances showcase traditional music and dance from Uganda's different regions. Shows run about 2 hours starting at 6pm or 7pm depending on the day. March is actually a good time because you're not competing with the December-January tourist rush for seats, and the outdoor garden area where they serve dinner is still usable before the heavy rains really set in.
Jinja White Water Rafting Day Trips
March is the transition month for Nile rafting, which means you need to be flexible. Early March typically still has the consistent flows that make the grade 5 rapids rideable. By late March, increasing rainfall upstream can make conditions more unpredictable, though some rafters actually prefer the higher water for bigger waves. It's a full day commitment, leaving Kampala by 6am-7am for the 80 km (50 mile) drive east, rafting for 4-5 hours, then returning by evening.
Uganda Museum and Craft Market Visits
Essential rainy afternoon backup plans that actually deserve time regardless of weather. The Uganda Museum in Kamwokya covers the country's archaeological and cultural history in a manageable 1-2 hours. The craft markets, particularly the National Theatre Craft Market and the larger Buganda Road Crafts Village, are partially covered and give you genuine artisan work without the hard sell you'll find at tourist-focused spots. March's variable weather means you'll appreciate having these indoor-outdoor hybrid options ready.
March Events & Festivals
Kampala Restaurant Week
Typically runs in late March, though exact dates shift year to year. Participating restaurants across Kololo, Nakasero, and Acacia Avenue offer prix fixe menus at reduced rates, usually around 50,000-80,000 UGX for three courses that would normally cost significantly more. It's become popular enough that reservations are essential, especially for weekend slots. Worth checking social media and local event listings in February to confirm 2026 dates.