Top Things to do in Entebbe

Located 40kms southwest of Kampala, Entebbe town is the home to Uganda’s only international airport. This means that most people who come to or leave Uganda by air pass through Entebbe town to go to different destinations. Many people come to Entebbe either to pick or drop their friends to and from Entebbe international airport. besides visiting Entebbe international airport, there are several other activities to do in Entebbe before or after your safari. These are the top things to do in Entebbe below.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

This forested island is home to more than 45 orphaned chimpanzees. It was founded by Jane Goodall in 1998.  The sanctuary works as a rehabilitation center for chimpanzees which have been rescued from poachers and other animal traffickers. You can have a day trip visit to the sanctuary and participate in the feeding of the primates. The sanctuary is accessed by either water or by Air. You can take the speed boat or the slow boat which uses 45 minutes and 90 minutes respectively to get to the island.

Entebbe Botanical Gardens

This natural setting is located in the middle of the town on the shores of Lake Victoria. The Entebbe botanical gardens were established in 1898. It is believed that one of the original Tarzan movies was filmed in these gardens. A visit to this area will make you explore and discover different tree species, an encounter with primates such as black and white colobus monkeys and velvet monkeys. It is also a good spot for bird watching, the birds found here include red chested sunbird, orange weavers, turacos, hammerkop, golden-backed weaver, yellow-backed weaver among others. At the entrance, you will pay a little fee to access the gardens and there are also guides who will be paid separately in case you need one. the guides help in tree identification, bird watching among other services.

Mabamba bay Wetland

The Mabamba wetland is located along with Victoria on the western side. it is one of the best spots for watching the rare Shoebill stork in Uganda. take a 1-day bird watching tri to Mabamba for your best birding safari in Uganda. It can be reached by road or by water by we normally recommend that you use water as there are many chances of seeing other water birds such as pied kingfisher, Malachite kingfisher, hammer kop, African darter, African fish eagle, common Squacco Heron Egrets among others. When you get to the swamp you will take by fishermen inside the swamp in a small boat because the fishermen know the exact spots where the shoebill is found. the shoebill normally feed on frogs and fish.

Uganda Wildlife Education Center

Also commonly known as the Entebbe zoo. The Uganda wildlife education center was established in 1952. It is home to wild animals that have been rescued from poachers, traffickers, or animals that have been injured. it works as a rehabilitation center for animals before they are released back into their natural habitats. You can take a 2-3 hours visit and learn about the activities the education center is doing or if you don’t have enough time to visit Uganda’s national park visit the zoo and see animals such as lion, leopard, chimpanzee, cheaters, giraffe, rhinos, elephants, snakes among others. You can as well request to volunteer at the zoo for a day.

Uganda Virus Research Institute

Researchers and academicians can visit one of the oldest virus institutes in East Africa and learn about how virus and bacteria researches are done. This institute is Uganda’s main center for research about viruses for both animals and human beings thus one of the most things to do during your stay in Entebbe.

Zika forest. The Zika forest is a forest where the Zika virus was first found in 1947. Please note that we don’t have the Zika virus in Uganda as of now. The forest is used by researchers to do research about insects that are trapped in this forest. other people visit the forest for bird watching and nature walks.

Lake Victoria

While in Entebbe town, take a chance and visit the second-largest freshwater lake in the world and the second biggest lake in the world. On the lake, you can go swimming or take a boat cruise on the lake. Swimming is not 100% recommended as there is a risk of bilharzia in the water.

Entebbe Beaches

Before you head to the airport for your flight out, pay a visit to some of the beaches in Entebbe, and enjoy freely with Ugandans. The Entebbe beaches are very busy during the weekends as most people come from Kampala to spend their weekends in Entebbe. Expect loud music on most of the beaches. Some of the beaches in Entebbe include Aero beach, white sand beach. Spenna beach, Liddo beach. some hotels also have private beaches in Entebbe.

Go Golfing

The 18 hole golf club in Entebbe is one of the best golf courses in East Africa. Entebbe being the first administrative city of Uganda, many things were created and built-in Entebbe before transferring most of the government offices to Kampala after independence.  Golfing has become a popular sport among the middle class in Uganda. Golfing at this club is only for members but tourists can access the club at a fee and participate in golfing.

Visit State House

Entebbe is the official residence of the president of Uganda. You can take a visit around the statehouse and if you are lucky you will see the presidential convoy leaving or entering the statehouse. Note that visiting inside the statehouse is only by invitation.

Visit the reptile village

The reptile village is home to the reptiles which are collected from peoples Gardens and homes. It also acts as an education center to teach people to overcome the fears of these creatures. Some of the reptiles found here are; Crocodiles, tortoises, Chameleons, Snakes like mambas, Gaboon vipers, puff adders, python lizards among other reptiles. The reptile village is located 4kms off the Entebbe- Kampala highly at a small town called Abaita-Ababiri.

Entebbe Craft village

Go shopping in one of the biggest Africa made crafts market. Buy items such as sandals, batik, wood carvings, jewelry and Ornaments postcards, ornaments, fabric, masks. If you have enough time you can buy fabric and they tailor-make it depending on the size and design of your choice.

Visit the local markets

Take a walk to the local markets and freely interact with the local people. Learn how people hustle to make ends meet. The common local markets in Entebbe are Kitooro and Nakiwogo markets selling items ranging from food, cloth household items and others. There are other roadside markets in town.

Boat Cruises

Take a sunset boat cruise on Lake Victoria and enjoy the different islands on the lake as you enjoy different views as well as bird watching.

Nightlife

If you happen to have a night in Entebbe, just have a night out in one of the bars and clubs. You will be able to see how Ugandans enjoy their life. Taste on the local beers and gins such as Nile special, Eagle lager, club pilsner, Uganda waragi to mention but a few.

Go Shopping

Entebbe town is developing at a high rate, this has led to the construction of big shopping malls in the town such as Victoria mall, Imperial mall. Inside these malls, there are services such as banking, pharmacies, shops and supermarkets, restaurants, and coffee shops. Most of the businesses inside these shopping malls accept credit card payment with Visa and Master card being the most preferred.

Safari Vacations and Travel Services Ltd organize day trips in and around Entebbe. contact us for all your inquiries about the top things to do in Entebbe and we shall be able to help you.