Old Taxi Park
Burton St., Kampala, Uganda
The aptly named Old Taxi Park is the oldest—and biggest—transit terminal in Kampala, Uganda. Although a transportation hub doesn’t necessarily sound like a must-see attraction, it has become an offbeat tourist destination (especially for photographers) because of the impressive spectacle of thousands of white minibuses navigating the cramped lot. It’s also the starting point for many short-distance rides throughout the city.
The basics
You haven’t seen a traffic jam until you’ve visited Old Taxi Park, where streams of Ugandan taxis angle for space in the lot and passengers, snack and drink vendors, and tourists mill through the crowds. Visiting the Old Taxi Park is free. If coming as a tourist, you can either arrive independently or as part of a guided city tour. Intrepid travelers looking to catch a shared taxi can also hop aboard here.
Things to know before you go
- While the new taxi park and various bus terminals in Kampala serve long-distance destinations throughout the country, Old Taxi Park is where you’ll go when traveling within the capital.
- Now sporting a spiffy renovation, Old Taxi Park is less congested and chaotic than it used to be—but nonetheless, you’ll still find plenty of hustle and bustle here. The lot used to turn to mud during times of rain, but new paving means that’s no longer such a concern.
- If you want to photograph Old Taxi Park, consider bringing a wide-angle lens to fit it all into your frame.
- As in most crowded urban locations, be wary of pickpocketers and keep an eye on any valuables.
How to get there
Old Taxi Park is surrounded by Burton, Luwum, and Ben Kiwanuka streets, but most people enter via Burton Street. You’ll also find plenty of well-known shopping centers nearby. Most visitors come either by taxi or on a guided tour. If you’re having trouble finding the lot, just ask anyone nearby for directions.
When to get there
If you’re planning on taking photos, avoid visiting during the middle of the day when the sun is strongest and the lighting conditions aren’t optimal for photography. To capture the softest and most dramatic colors, the best times of day are the golden hours: the last hour before sunset and the first hour after sunrise.
How to ride a minibus taxi
If you truly want to travel like a local, hop on a minibus taxi. (The shared vehicles are known across the border in Kenya as “matatus” but are simply called “taxis” in Uganda.) There are no fixed schedules: the buses leave whenever they fill up. Count on between a 10- to 30-minute wait. Hand over your taxi fare shortly after sitting down (the other passengers will pass it up to the driver). Then, settle back and have fun mingling.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!