Entebbe City, a little town sitting on the shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest fresh water lake, is only a few kilometers away from the International Airport in Kampala, that serves as one of Uganda’s primary entry points to the country.
A small town called Entebbe City is located along the shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake, and happens to be the closest city to the Uganda International Airport, which serves as the country’s primary entry point, which is also situated next to the lake.
The best place to stay the first night in Uganda is Entebbe Town, which is only a 5-minute drive from Entebbe Airport. The first few nights of your stay are ideal because it helps you adjust to your surroundings.
The word “Entebbe” means chair in Luganda, a language spoken by the Baganda people. A clan leader used to sit there and make decisions about cases that were brought before him. He used to sit on a stone that is now a popular tourist destination because it is near Lake Victoria.
Where is Entebbe City located?
One of the most well-known towns in central Uganda is Entebbe, which is southwest of the capital city of Kampala. Additionally, it can be found around Lake Victoria’s northern shoreline, which is the biggest lake in East Africa.
It is surrounded by water on all sides and has a square size of 56.2 km2. Entebbe is a town located in Wakiso district one of the big districts of Uganda.
Entebbe: Things to do and see
Unlike most towns in Uganda, Entebbe town has so much to offer in terms of things to do and see.
The Zoo / Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC)
Under the guidance of trained people working at The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), you will see a variety of some of Uganda’s finest animals. They will lead you through the routine tasks necessary to care for the many animals housed at the facility.
UWEC was established in 1994 as a trust to revitalize the run-down Entebbe Zoo and is committed to the rescue and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife.
Today, the facility educates Ugandans about the advantages of protecting the nation’s biodiversity. It is also collaborating with national and international partners to launch conservation efforts across all of Uganda’s national parks and protected areas.
Instead of merely viewing the animals, visit the zoo to experience the thrill. One can tour holding facilities or displays, food production areas, pharmacies, quarantine facilities, seminars, participate in rescues, etc. Using the behind-the-scenes program.
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Ngamba Island is located 23km southeast of Entebbe. It is a part of the Kome archipelago, a collection of roughly 15 islands and islets that are divided from Lake Victoria’s northern side by the 10km-wide Damba Channel.
The island serves as a sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees who were transferred there from the smaller Isinga Island in Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) in Entebbe. Many of the chimpanzees on the island were spared from slavery or smuggling by UWA officials.
They were taken to the island for treatment and rehabilitation.
The chimpanzees are fed fruits from a balcony where guests can watch and take pictures of them via a fence.
Zika Forest
An affordable and practical way to experience a tropical forest is to travel to Zika.
The woodland is owned by the Uganda Virus Research Institute, located in Entebbe. It has a four-story metal tower that is distinctive to Uganda and is used to determine what kinds of bugs live in certain layers of the forest’s flora.
You’ll also discover a tiny metal ladder that will take you up above the trees so you can see the forest canopy from a bird’s eye perspective. The ground level of the forest is also explored by a small network of walking trails.
Entebbe Botanical Garden
Entebbe Botanical Garden features a charmingly planned assortment of native forests, beaches, picnic areas, flower and fruit gardens, and nature walking routes. Outside of the protected area, you may also visit restaurants, retail centers, and boutique hotels.
The botanical gardens are a popular location for birdwatchers. They provide wonderful exposure to Uganda’s bird life, covering species as diverse as the striking black-headed gonolek, Red-chested sunbird, grey-capped warbler, and common wattle-eye to Lake Victoria specialties like the grey kestrel, yellow-throated leaflove, slender-billed weaver, and Jackson’s golden-backed weaver are examples of forest birds.
Entebbe botanical garden is a lovely location for outdoor activities like picnics, nature hikes, and beach time. It makes a beautiful backdrop for family portrait photos. Per person and vehicle, daily admission to the Botanical Gardens is 3,000 shillings.
Entebbe Beaches
A good number of beaches can be found on the shores of Lake Victoria in Entebbe. You can explore these beaches on your first day in Uganda, just before visiting the country’s other towns.
Some of the best beaches include Spennah beach, lido beach, one love beach, lutembe beach, and aero beach among many others.
Entebbe Golf Club
The vast expanse of the 18-hole golf course that slopes towards Lake Victoria is Entebbe’s most alluring sight on the route to the airport. It is also significantly less expensive than the stuffy Kampala Golf Club and much friendlier: Non-members pay 30,000 shillings, and club rental is 20,000 shillings.
The Mabamba Swamps
The Mabamba Swamp spreads across more than 38 sq mi (100 sq km) from a shallow, marshy inlet on Lake Victoria’s northern side, only 15 km west of Entebbe as seen from the air.
Mabamba marshes are an Important Bird Area and are home to a wide variety of bird species that are connected with bodies of water. The mashes are the best location in the nation for seeing shoebills in Entebbe.
Fishing on Lake Victoria
Take a fishing trip on Lake Victoria’s waters, which are home to the Nile perch, one of the biggest freshwater fish in the world. Troll for the perch utilizing a catch-and-release technique while being assisted by highly qualified guides and professional gear.
You’ll need patience, a cooler full of drinks, and some light snacks to enjoy this fishing trip. Make sure to go for boats that are in good condition, and must always have all the supplies and safety gear before you board.
How to get to Entebbe Town
Every ten minutes or so, minibus taxis from Kampala to Entebbe depart from the old taxi park; the trip can take up to an hour. You can grab a public taxi headed to Kampala from the Entebbe central taxi park in Kitooro town, which is about 3 kilometers from the international airport.
In the main colonial town, the other taxi park is located between the police station and Victoria Mall. For roughly 6,000 UGX, you may take a straight trip from here to Kampala.
Conclusion
With so many birds, cheeky monkeys, and tree squirrels, Entebbe town is the best place to roam about and discover animals and hang out places.
It’s a good place to begin your safari because you can take a boat trip to Ngamba Island to see orphaned chimps, go birdwatching at the botanical gardens, or visit the Uganda Wild Life Education Center for a behind-the-scenes program or a general guided tour.
You can select from a wine and cheese cruise, a sundown cruise, or dome fishing on Lake Victoria. You must visit Entebbe town when you come to Uganda, luckily it’s the closest town to the Uganda international Airport.
