Things to Do in Kampala in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Kampala
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Dry season reliability - November sits right in Kampala's driest stretch, with virtually no rainfall recorded but enough cloud cover to keep things from getting scorching. You'll actually get pleasant conditions for walking around the city's seven hills without the relentless sun of December-February.
- Festival season peaks - November brings Kampala City Festival (typically first week) and the Nyege Nyege Festival at nearby Jinja, making it the best month for experiencing Uganda's contemporary arts and music scene. Hotels fill up fast but the energy is worth it.
- Perfect bird migration window - The inter-tropical convergence zone brings migratory species through Uganda's wetlands in November. Mabamba Swamp, just 50 km (31 miles) west, has peak shoebill stork sightings with clearer skies than October but before the December crowds arrive.
- Shoulder season pricing still applies - While crowds pick up toward month's end, early November still gets you better accommodation rates than December-January peak season. Book before November 15th and you'll typically save 20-30% compared to Christmas period pricing.
Considerations
- Unpredictable afternoon weather - Despite being dry season, those 10 rainy days are genuinely random. The 'short rains' occasionally extend into early November, and you might get sudden 30-minute downpours that turn Kampala's roads into temporary rivers. The drainage system hasn't kept pace with development.
- Festival accommodation crunch - If Nyege Nyege coincides with your dates (usually second weekend), expect Kampala hotels to be 80% booked as it becomes a regional hub for festival-goers. Prices spike 40-50% that specific week, and boda-boda (motorcycle taxi) fares double during peak hours.
- Temperature swings feel bigger than they look - That 10°C (18°F) daily range actually matters in 70% humidity. Mornings at 17°C (63°F) feel genuinely cool if you're out early, then by 2pm it's 27°C (81°F) and sticky. You'll be layering and unlayering all day, which gets annoying.
Best Activities in November
Mabamba Swamp Shoebill Tracking
November is legitimately the best month for shoebill sightings at Mabamba Wetland, about 50 km (31 miles) west of Kampala. The water levels drop just enough to concentrate the birds, but it's not yet the December-January tourist rush. Early morning trips (departing Kampala by 6am) give you 85-90% sighting success rates according to Uganda Wildlife Authority data. The canoe guides know exactly where the nesting sites are, and November's cooler mornings at 17°C (63°F) make the 2-3 hour wetland paddle actually pleasant rather than sweltering.
Kampala Food Market Walking Tours
November brings the end of the second rainy season's harvest, so Owino Market and Nakasero Market are absolutely loaded with fresh produce. You'll find the best matooke (cooking bananas), sweet potatoes, and groundnuts of the year. The 70% humidity actually works in your favor here - it keeps the morning market atmosphere cool enough for 2-3 hours of walking without feeling drained. The real insider move is hitting Nakasero Market between 7-9am when restaurant chefs are shopping, then crossing to Owino for the chaotic local experience. Street food vendors set up proper lunch spreads by 11am with rolex (chapati rolled with eggs) at 2,000-3,000 UGX (0.55-0.82 USD).
Ndere Cultural Centre Evening Performances
November's comfortable evening temperatures (around 20°C/68°F) make the outdoor performances at Ndere Centre actually enjoyable rather than muggy. The troupe performs traditional dances from Uganda's 56 tribes every Sunday evening, and November typically sees special performances tied to Independence Day celebrations (October 9th momentum carries through). The 2-hour shows start at 6pm, and sitting in the open-air amphitheater without getting drenched in sweat is a November-specific advantage. You'll see everything from Acholi war dances to Baganda courtship rituals, with live drumming that you feel in your chest.
Ssezibwa Falls and Mabira Forest Day Trips
The 32 km (20 mile) drive east to Ssezibwa Falls and 44 km (27 mile) to Mabira Forest becomes actually pleasant in November's drier conditions - the Kampala-Jinja highway isn't the muddy disaster it can be during rainy months. Ssezibwa Falls has cultural significance (local Buganda kingdom creation myths) and the surrounding forest has colobus monkeys that are more active in November's moderate temperatures. Mabira Forest canopy walks and birding trails are at their best - the paths are dry enough for proper hiking boots rather than Wellington boots, but the forest hasn't yet dried out completely so you still get that lush rainforest feel.
Lake Victoria Sunset Cruises
November evenings on Lake Victoria are genuinely special - the variable cloud cover creates dramatic sunset colors you don't get in the clearer dry months, and the water is calm enough that even queasy travelers handle the boats fine. Departures from Munyonyo or Entebbe (40 km/25 miles south) typically run 6-8pm, catching the temperature drop from 27°C to 20°C (81°F to 68°F) as the sun sets. You'll see traditional fishing boats heading out for night catches, and occasionally hippos surfacing near the shoreline. The UV index of 8 during day means sunset timing (around 6:45pm year-round at the equator) is perfect for avoiding the harsh midday sun.
Kasubi Tombs and Kingdom Heritage Sites
The rebuilt Kasubi Tombs (UNESCO site, reconstructed after the 2010 fire) and other Buganda Kingdom sites like the Kabaka's Palace are best visited in November's moderate weather. You'll be doing a fair amount of walking between traditional thatched structures, and the 27°C (81°F) highs with occasional cloud cover beat the scorching December-February heat. The cultural significance is massive - these are active spiritual sites, not just museums. November often sees traditional ceremonies as the kingdom prepares for year-end events, so you might catch authentic cultural practices rather than staged performances. Dress conservatively - shoulders and knees covered, and women should avoid trousers at Kasubi Tombs specifically.
November Events & Festivals
Kampala City Festival
Typically held the first week of November, this street festival takes over the central business district with music stages, art installations, food vendors, and craft markets. It's evolved into Uganda's biggest urban cultural event, showcasing contemporary Ugandan artists alongside traditional performances. The festival is free and genuinely local - you'll be in crowds of Kampalans, not tourist groups. Street closures around Kampala Road and Parliament Avenue mean traffic chaos, but the energy is worth it. Evenings feature major Ugandan musicians (past years included Bebe Cool, Jose Chameleon), and the craft market has better prices than hotel gift shops.
Nyege Nyege Festival
While technically held in Jinja (80 km/50 miles east), Nyege Nyege's impact on Kampala is massive. This four-day electronic and alternative music festival (usually second weekend of November) draws 10,000+ attendees from across East Africa and internationally. Kampala becomes a transit hub with packed hotels and shared transport to Jinja. If you're into experimental music, African electronic fusion, and genuinely wild camping-festival vibes, it's unmissable. If you're not attending, be aware that accommodation prices spike and boda-bodas become scarce that specific weekend. The festival has faced occasional government pressure over noise and content, so confirm it's running before planning around it.