Things to Do in Kampala in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Kampala
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Dry season tail end means minimal rainfall (0.0 mm recorded) but you still get occasional afternoon clouds that break the heat - perfect for all-day outdoor activities without the scorching intensity of January-February
- Post-Easter shoulder season pricing kicks in - accommodation costs drop 20-30% compared to December-March peak, and you'll find better availability at mid-range hotels in Kololo and Nakasero without advance booking
- Jacaranda trees bloom throughout the city creating purple canopies along major roads like Yusuf Lule Road and around Makerere University - locals call it 'Kampala's purple season' and it's genuinely stunning for photography
- Lake Victoria water levels are stable after the rainy season, making boat trips to Ngamba Island and Ssese Islands more reliable with calmer waters - ferries run on schedule and fishing village tours are accessible
Considerations
- Temperature swings between 18°C (64°F) mornings and 27°C (81°F) afternoons require layering - you'll be peeling off clothes by 11am and searching for a sweater by 7pm, which complicates packing
- May sits in an awkward transition period where 10 rainy days are listed but rainfall shows 0.0 inches - this actually means unpredictable short bursts that disrupt plans without providing the lush greenery of proper rainy season
- UV index of 8 combined with 70% humidity creates that sticky, sun-exposed feeling that's exhausting by mid-afternoon - you'll need frequent breaks in shade or air-conditioned spaces between 12pm-4pm
Best Activities in May
Kampala City Walking Tours
May's moderate temperatures make walking the steep hills of central Kampala actually bearable - start early at 8am when it's still 18-20°C (64-68°F) and cover Old Kampala, the Gaddafi Mosque, and Nakasero Market before the midday heat. The 70% humidity is present but not oppressive like it gets in the true wet season. You'll see the city waking up, which is when the boda-boda culture is most visible and markets are freshest.
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Lake Victoria conditions in May are ideal - calmer waters after the March-April rains mean the 45-minute speedboat ride from Entebbe is smooth, and you won't lose half your group to seasickness. The chimps are more active in the moderate temperatures compared to the hot dry months. Morning visits (departing 8am) let you see feeding time at 11am when chimps are most animated. The island's forest trails are dry enough to walk without mud but still lush.
Ssese Islands Beach Escapes
May hits a sweet spot for the Ssese Islands - ferry schedules are reliable, beaches are accessible, and you avoid both the peak-season crowds and the heavy rains that make some islands muddy. Water temperature sits around 24°C (75°F) which is swimmable without being bathwater-warm. The 3-hour ferry from Nakiwogo (Entebbe) or Bukakata runs daily, and accommodation on Bugala Island is bookable with just 2-3 days notice. Locals actually holiday here in May, which tells you something.
Kabaka's Palace and Kasubi Tombs Cultural Tours
These UNESCO-listed royal sites are best visited in May's drier conditions - the Kasubi Tombs involve walking through traditional thatched structures that get uncomfortably humid in rainy season, and the palace grounds at Mengo Hill require some uphill walking that's manageable in 27°C (81°F) but brutal in hotter months. You'll learn about Buganda Kingdom history from guides who take their cultural preservation seriously. The tombs are still being reconstructed after the 2010 fire, so you're witnessing living history.
Mabira Forest Canopy Walks and Birdwatching
Located 54 km (34 miles) east of Kampala on the Jinja Road, Mabira's 300 sq km (116 sq miles) of rainforest is accessible in May without the muddy trails that plague June-August. The canopy walkway - suspended 30 m (98 ft) above ground - gives you eye-level access to forest birds and monkeys. May's variable weather means morning mist that burns off by 10am, creating dramatic lighting for photography. The forest stays cool even when Kampala hits 27°C (81°F), making it a genuine escape from city heat.
Kampala Food Market and Street Food Tours
May brings seasonal produce to markets - you'll find fresh matooke (cooking bananas), passion fruit, and jackfruit at peak ripeness. Evening food tours (starting 6pm) avoid the midday heat and catch Kampala's street food scene as it comes alive around Owino Market, Nakasero Market, and the kikuubo area. Try rolex (chapati rolled with eggs), muchomo (grilled meat skewers), and kikomando (beans with chapati). The 70% humidity actually works in your favor here - it keeps grilled foods moist rather than dried out.
May Events & Festivals
Martyrs Day Celebrations
June 3rd falls just outside May, but preparations dominate late May as pilgrims begin walking to Namugongo Shrine (15 km/9 miles from central Kampala). You'll see increased foot traffic along Jinja Road, temporary markets selling religious items, and church groups organizing transport. If you're in Kampala in late May (after May 25th), the pre-celebration energy is palpable and hotels near Namugongo start filling up.