Kayiwa · · 1 min read
Kampala is almost impossible to understand from the ground. You spend most of your time in traffic, climbing one hill and dropping down the next, and you never really see how the city fits together.
From the air, it clicks. That’s why I made this, and judging by the views, a lot of people wanted to see it that way too.
The seven hills
Kampala’s old nickname is the City of Seven Hills. The original seven are usually given as Old Kampala, Mengo, Kibuli, Namirembe, Rubaga, Nsambya and Kasubi. The city spilled over plenty more a long time ago, but those are the ones with the history.
Several of them carry a landmark you can pick out from a distance. Namirembe and Rubaga each have a cathedral on top. Kibuli has its mosque. Mengo has the Kabaka’s palace, and Kasubi has the royal tombs.
Why watch it before you go
Distances in Kampala are short and journeys are long, because every route goes up and over something. A few minutes of this will tell you more about the layout than a map will, and your boda boda rides will make a lot more sense afterwards.
Then go and eat. The Uganda guide covers the food, and there’s a whole post on the rolex, the best breakfast in the city.
The practical bit
- Video: 4K aerial footage, about 14 minutes
- Best for: getting your bearings before a first trip
- Watch next: my Kampala series, episode one and episode two