Things to Do in Kampala in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
March Weather in Kampala
Long-run averages for March
83°F (28°C)
High Temp
64°F (18°C)
Low Temp
5.2 inches (132 mm)
Rainfall
78%
Humidity
14
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Very high UV on sunny days: use sunscreen and seek shade at midday
Is March Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + You get the lush, post-rain greenery without the full deluge of April. The hills around Kampala look like someone turned up the saturation, a deep emerald that makes the red-clay roads and bright bougainvillea pop.
- + Crowds are still relatively thin compared to the peak dry seasons. The queue to see the Royal Drum Makers in Mengo is usually just you and a few others. You can hear the guide at the Kasubi Tombs.
- + It's mango season. The smell of overripe fruit mixes with woodsmoke from roadside roasters in the evenings. Every other street vendor has a pile of the small, fibrous 'apple mangoes' that locals swear are the sweetest.
- + The late-afternoon thunderstorms, when they come, are spectacular. Huge anvil clouds build over Lake Victoria. The air turns heavy and still, then a sudden cool wind and a downpour that drums on corrugated iron roofs for twenty minutes before clearing to a steamy, golden sunset.
Considerations
- − The humidity is the real story, not the temperature. That 78% average means the air in Kampala in March feels thick enough to drink by midday. A walk up to the Bahá'í Temple on Kikaya Hill will leave your shirt clinging to your back.
- − Roads, the unpaved ones leading to some of the city's viewpoints like the Lubiri Palace overlook, can turn to slick, red mud soup after a heavy rain. Boda-boda (motorbike taxi) rides become an adventurous, splashy affair.
- − While the major rains are still a month off, the showers are less predictable than in deep dry season. That planned picnic at the Uganda Museum gardens or stroll through the Ndere Centre might get a last-minute rewrite.
Best Activities in March
Top things to do during your visit
March slows Kampala down. The skies hang soft and low, gray with afternoon rain that carries a thick, mineral scent. The city's hills turn almost luminous emerald, and when downpours come, they drum hard on corrugated iron before breaking into cool stillness. Locals plan around these showers, ducking into cafes as the first heavy drops fall. The average high hits 28 degrees Celsius, but 132 millimeters of rainfall keeps the air close and fertile, nothing like January's dry dust. Daily life sets the pace: rolex stands sizzling under makeshift awnings, calls to prayer mixing with rain patter, matatu minibuses splashing through puddles on the city's seven hills. What to do? Embrace the shift. Cooking classes gain appeal. Walking tours start mornings to beat the heaviest rains. Beyond the city, the source of the Nile waits, landscapes at their most lush and dramatic, though red-earth roads turn muddier. Uganda's March weather sits transitional, between dry months and April's peak rains. Kampala feels intensely alive, washed clean. Just-fried cassava tastes better here. Humid air grounds you in the season.
Jinja day tour exploring the source of River Nile
guided_experienceJinja sits at the beginning of the world's longest river, where the Nile's placid, tea-colored waters start north from Lake Victoria. Papyrus rustles. Fish eagles cry in the distance. The spot holds quiet geographical significance. You stand at the literal source of a river that shaped civilizations. Many tours include a brief boat ride for the best view.
You stand at the literal source of a river that shaped civilizations.
Insider tip: Go early, when water lies still as glass before wind picks up.
This month: March rainfall intensifies the green vegetation and lush riverbanks, though brief showers during the drive from Kampala are common.
Private 3 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda
adventureThe trek demands physical effort through dense, damp bamboo forests where air feels cool and smells of rich, wet earth. Then comes the quiet encounter with gentle giants.
It offers one of the planet's most intimate wildlife experiences, observing gorilla family dynamics from just a few meters away.
Insider tip: Physical fitness matters. Spend time in Kampala walking its hilly streets to build stamina.
This month: Forests run very wet in March, trails turn slippery and muddy, so quality waterproof hiking boots and gaiters are essential.
Memorable 3 days Murchison falls.
otherThe park spreads vast savanna, elephants silhouetted against sky, chimpanzees whooping in riverine forest.
The raw, explosive power of the falls is a visceral spectacle unmatched anywhere else on the Nile.
Insider tip: The boat cruise to the base is essential, offering close views of hippos and crocodiles along the banks.
Cooking Class for Typical Ugandan Food in Kampala
foodThe session ends with sharing the meal you helped create, tasting creamy, hearty results.
It provides a tangible, delicious connection to everyday Ugandan culture, deeper than any restaurant.
Insider tip: Come hungry. Ask about ingredient origins, the specific plantain types, to gain deeper insight.
Kampala walking city Tours Experiences
walking_tourYou feel the city's pulse, hearing Luganda, English, and Swahili blend, seeing vendors line streets with second-hand shoes and pyramids of ripe, yellow matoke.
It reveals Kampala's layered history and relentless energy on foot, at human pace.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes ready for hills and uneven pavements. Carry a small umbrella. March showers arrive without warning.
Jinja: Source of River Nile & Equator Day Trip (2-in-1 Tour)
day_tripThe contrast strikes, from quiet historical river source to playful, educational equator marker. It efficiently covers two significant geographical sites in one well-organized trip from Kampala.
It efficiently covers two significant geographical sites in one well-organized trip from Kampala.
Insider tip: At the equator, demonstrations are free. But vendors sell souvenirs. The best photo op is standing with one foot in each hemisphere.
This month: The drive to Jinja is very scenic in March with lush, rain-fed landscapes, though roads can be slick.
Where to Stay in Kampala in March
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for March travellers.
Public Holidays in March
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
International Women's Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Good Friday
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Easter Monday
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
International Women's Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Packing Checklist
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View Kampala Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
For the best *rolex* (chapati rolled with egg and veggies), skip the fancy cafes. Look for the street-side chefs at dusk, where the sizzle of egg on the griddle mixes with the scent of frying onions. The ones near university gates, like Makerere, are reliably good and buzzing with local energy.
If a late-afternoon storm catches you, duck into the National Theatre on De Winton Road. The courtyard cafe is a perfect shelter. You might catch an impromptu rehearsal or poetry reading for the price of a coffee.
Boda-boda is the fastest way through Kampala's traffic. In March, negotiate the price before you get on. Expect a splashy ride if the roads are wet. Always wear the helmet they provide. It's the law.
Visit Owino Market for sensory overload. The vendors shout. Fresh fish and second-hand clothes fill the air. Kitenge fabric bursts with color everywhere. Go early morning. Beat the heat. Beat the crowds. Keep your bag close.
Avoid These Mistakes
Never underestimate the sun and altitude. You can burn in 30 minutes. Clouds won't save you. Hat, sunscreen, water. Non-negotiable.
Avoid back-to-back outdoor activities in the afternoon. From 2 PM to 4 PM, heat and humidity peak. Thunderstorms roll in then. Take a long lunch instead. Visit a museum. Take a siesta.
Don't pack only shorts and t-shirts. Bring long, lightweight pants. Cover your shoulders. Mosques require this. The Bahá'í Temple requires this. Royal sites like the Kasubi Tombs require this.
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