The Best Hotels to Book in Kampala, Uganda

On a hilly road in the creative Nakasero district of Kampala, the Emin Pasha Hotel is a classy establishment. There’s a distinct sense of yesteryear in the building, where rooms contain clawfoot bathtubs and antique wooden furniture and have french doors that open onto lush gardens filled with vines, trees and flowering shrubs. Amid the greenery, you will also find a spa and an outdoor pool.

Kampala sits on the northern shore of Lake Victoria. Speke Resort Munyonyo makes good use of that proximity, occupying a tree-filled space near Murchison Bay. Wander through the grounds, past ponds and the large outdoor pool to the hotel’s own marina, where you can take a trip on the lake in a motorboat. The best rooms are in the round, thatched-roof cottages, which have a spiral staircase at their core and plush four-poster beds.

The Hub Hotel offers a homier, more personal touch to guests who stay here – thanks in part to its small size. The main building feels more like a house than a hotel, with simple, clean rooms and modern wooden furnishings. Most people visit the Hub for the restaurant, which serves a continental breakfast to guests in the morning – included in the room fee – and Ugandan cuisine during the rest of the day.

Among the top, most consistently popular hotels in central Kampala is the Serena Hotel. The property has acres of leafy gardens and a free-form swimming pool that darts beneath palm trees and waterfall features. Dining at the Serena is a highlight at the Lakes Restaurant, a patisserie, a champagne bar and four other bars and restaurants. Elegantly appointed rooms include East African artworks and a double sink in the bathrooms.

To the south of the city – on the shores of Lake Victoria – there’s another Serena property that receives consistent praise from guests. Although it’s much less central, the extra space at this golf resort and spa make the journey away from the centre of Kampala worthwhile. Not only does the hotel have a nine-hole golf course, but there are also tennis courts, a boating marina and an elegant outdoor pool to enjoy – reflecting the hotel’s Mediterranean-style architecture.

There’s a small golf course beside Hotel Africana, which enjoys a city-centre location. This is a vast hotel with hundreds of rooms, catering equally well to leisure and business tourists. The latter often stay here for the 15 separate conference and meeting rooms, some of which hold up to 200 people. Meanwhile, the outdoor pool and large fitness centre – with many different weight machines – are excellent facilities for all guests.

Marriott’s Protea Hotel is in the heart of the main administrative and embassy region of Kampala, a leafy neighbourhood with plenty of bars and restaurants nearby. There’s a restaurant on site, containing Ugandan art and serving regional cuisine. Marriott’s dependable style is upheld at this property – where even the standard rooms are extremely spacious, providing plush furnishings and warm decor. Suites add a sitting area and balcony.

As the name suggests, Le Petit Village feels like a self-contained little village, where all necessary amenities are provided – such as a brasserie, an outdoor pool and even a small upscale supermarket. Choose between a half or full board or a bed-and-breakfast stay. Even the elegant design of the interior and exterior spaces are influenced by Ugandan rural living – with thatched-roof buildings, hardwood floors and decorative pebble or tile mosaic walls.

Next-door neighbours of – and sharing a lot of facilities with – the Speke property, Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort is a great place to stay active, with a squash court, a large fitness centre and tennis courts on site. This is also a great family option – with a play area, a children’s pool and childcare services for an additional fee. If the kids are a bit older, connecting rooms are available to give them – and you – that extra space.