Things to Do in Kampala in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
March Weather in Kampala
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
83°F (28°C)
High Temp
64°F (18°C)
Low Temp
5.2 inches (132 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Sudden, intense afternoon thunderstorms can flood low-lying areas of Kampala. Sidestep standing water. Currents hide. Shoes dry slowly.
⚠ UV index of 8 demands serious sun protection even under clouds. Equatorial sun punches through thin cover. Burn fast. Apply often.
Is March Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Kampala's hills ignite after first rain. Jacarandas burst purple over Kololo. Nakasero glows. Entire ridges look spray-painted overnight.
- + Equatorial sun punches hard until clouds roll in. Mornings stay golden. Hit Garden City courtyard cafés early. Makerere campus walks feel effortless now.
- + March lull equals solitude at Kasubi Tombs. Thatched roofs echo with only your footsteps. Prayer calls across Old Kampala ring clearer without tour-bus chatter.
- + Jackfruit season slams Nakasero Market. Melon-sized giants pile high. Vendors hack wedges. Sweet perfume coats the air. Taste on the spot.
Considerations
- − Long rains arrive. Red clay roads turn to grease without warning. Afternoon plans drown. Carry backup ideas.
- − Humidity locks at 70%. Clothes glue to skin by 10 AM. Air feels drinkable.
- − Safari outfits scale back western trips. Muddy trails thin the herd. Gorilla permits vanish faster.
Best Activities in March
Top things to do during your visit
March in Kampala means heavy rain arrives without warning. The air turns thick and humid. You will smell damp earth and flowering trees everywhere. The city's rhythm shifts to match afternoon downpours. Red-dirt roads go slick in minutes. Locals plan around these bursts. They duck under shop awnings as rain drums on corrugated iron roofs. Then they emerge into streets that steam when the sun returns. Rigid itineraries won't work here. Embrace the fluid pace instead. A sudden shower might push you into a quiet cafe. The aroma of roasting coffee fills the air. Or you might end up in a busy market where chatter rises with the humidity. No major verified festivals happen in March. The city's energy doesn't fade. It simply moves indoors and into cooler evenings. March receives nearly double the precipitation of January or February. This is one of the wetter transitions into the year. Mornings often dawn clear and warm. Get your exploration done early before clouds build. Evenings stay mild. Sit outside as city lights gleam against darkening skies. A chorus of insects rises from green hillsides. Plan for this variability. The climate demands a spontaneous, resilient approach to discovery.
Jinja day tour exploring the source of River Nile
guided_experienceA day trip to Jinja pulls you away from Kampala's urban energy. You will stand at the mythic source of the White Nile. Cool spray hits your face. Watch placid Lake Victoria waters transform into flowing current. The river begins its long journey north here. The drive east passes lush sugarcane plantations and red soil. This vivid contrast replaces city views.
It connects you to one of geography's most significant landmarks, a place of immense natural power and historical exploration.
Insider tip: Book a morning departure from Kampala. Maximize time at the source before afternoon rains arrive from the west.
This month: The increased March rainfall can make the Nile's flow strong and the surrounding vegetation a deep, saturated green.
Private 3 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda
adventureThis private safari runs southwest from Kampala. You enter the mist-covered highlands of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Ancient rainforest surrounds you. The air stays cool. Exotic birds call overhead. Trek through dense, humid foliage. You will hear branches snap. Then you come face-to-face with a family of mountain gorillas. The encounter brings profound quiet and connection.
It offers an intimate, guided encounter with endangered mountain gorillas in their primordial rainforest habitat.
Insider tip: Secure permits and book this tour well in advance. Gorilla trekking permits are limited daily regardless of the season.
Memorable 3 days Murchison falls.
otherThis expedition heads northwest from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park. The Victoria Nile explodes through a narrow seven-meter gorge. The roar is deafening. A permanent rainbow hangs in the spray. On game drives, you will see elephants moving through golden savanna grass. Feel the warm, dry air of the park's northern sections on your skin.
It centers on witnessing the raw, thunderous power of Murchison Falls, Uganda's most powerful waterfall.
Insider tip: Request a boat cruise upstream to the base of the falls. This gives the most dramatic perspective of the cascading water.
This month: March rains can make some park tracks muddy. But the waterfall itself is at a formidable volume, and the landscape is vividly green.
Cooking Class for Typical Ugandan Food in Kampala
foodThis hands-on class puts you inside Ugandan cuisine. It is often held in a local home. You will smell onions and tomatoes frying in oil. Hear the rhythmic pounding of matoke in a mortar. Taste the nutty flavor of groundnut sauce. Feel the soft, doughy texture of chapati as you roll it yourself. Then cook it on a hot griddle.
It provides a tangible, delicious entry into local culture through the creation and sharing of everyday Ugandan dishes.
Insider tip: Come hungry. Ask questions about the origins of ingredients like simsim (sesame) and the varieties of local greens used.
Kampala walking city Tours Experiences
walking_tourWalking reveals Kampala's layered history best. Start at the gleaming white domes of the Bahá'í Temple perched on Kikaya Hill. Move to the busy stalls of Owino Market. The air hangs thick with fresh fish and ripening fruit. You will hear the call to prayer echo from the Gaddafi National Mosque. Feel the cool quiet inside the centuries-old Kasubi Tombs.
It unravels the city's complex story on foot, moving easily between its spiritual landmarks and dynamic commercial heart.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes. They must handle Kampala's steep hills and potentially muddy paths after a March rain shower.
5 days best wildlife experience in Uganda
guided_experienceThis five-day circuit displays Uganda's staggering biodiversity. Track chimpanzees in the dense, noisy canopy of Kibale Forest. Cruise the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will see hippos grunting in the water. Smell the dry grass of the savanna. The trip contrasts misty primate forests with open, wildlife-rich plains.
It is a complete immersion into Uganda's premier wildlife regions, combining primate encounters with classic African savanna scenes.
Insider tip: Pack layers. The climate shifts from the warmth of the plains to the chill of the rainforest highlands, in the evenings.
Where to Stay in Kampala in March
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for March travellers.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Need the full list with shopping links?
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Kampala Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Locals front-load meetings before 2 PM. Copy them. Uganda Museum and Independence Grounds glow between 9 AM and 1 PM. Light is sharp. Heat is tame.
Taxi drivers switch routes when it rains. A 20-minute drive in dry weather can stretch to an hour as they dodge flooded sections of Entebbe Road. Budget extra transit time. Leave early. Pack patience.
Roadside vendors sell their sweetest pineapples now. Hunt for deep orange flesh near Constitution Square. They slice on the spot. Juice runs down your fingers. Bring napkins. Worth the mess.
Many Kampala restaurants have covered outdoor seating made for March. You catch the breeze, skip the direct sun. The terrace at Cafe Javas on Lugogo Bypass channels afternoon crosswinds. 83°F (28°C) feels almost cool there.
Avoid These Mistakes
Assuming indoor attractions stay empty during rains is naive. Everyone copies the same plan. The National Theatre gallery can feel crowded on a wet afternoon. Book ahead. Arrive early.
Booking afternoon boat trips on Lake Victoria without checking weather is risky. Operators sail if it's safe. You might spend two hours pounding through chop instead of gliding calmly. Check forecasts. Ask locals.
Packing only shorts and t-shirts is shortsighted. Days run warm. Yet Kampala evenings demand a layer. Religious and cultural sites insist on covered knees and shoulders, heat or no heat. Bring a scarf. Respect rules.
Explore More Activities in Kampala
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Kampala.
See All Kampala Tours on Viator