Entebbe, Uganda

Reasons To Start Or End Your Uganda Safari In Entebbe

Entebbe is a small town next to Lake Victoria (Africa’s largest lake), just 40 kilometers from Uganda’s busy capital city, Kampala. It is where Uganda’s International Airport is, so many travellers arrive here first. People often ask: Should I stay in Entebbe or go to Kampala? If you like quiet places, Entebbe is perfect. It has calm roads, fresh air, and beautiful views of the lake. It’s also close to nature, so it’s a great place to start your safari in Uganda. Kampala is full of life, with loud music, busy streets, and lots of people. It can be fun, but also tiring. Entebbe is slower and more peaceful. You can enjoy your morning by the lake, watch birds at sunrise, and visit botanical gardens or beaches in the afternoon. Whether it is your first or last stop in Uganda, Entebbe’s blend of accessibility and serenity makes it a memorable part of any trip.

Top Things To Do In Entebbe, Uganda

Visit Uganda Wildlife Education Centre

The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), also known as Entebbe Zoo, is a special place where animals are rescued, protected, and cared for. The centre helps animals that are in danger and teaches people how to protect wildlife. You can do many fun and exciting activities here, like watching animals up close or even helping to feed them! These activities also help the centre raise money to take care of the animals.

Behind the scenes look

A visit to Entebbe Zoo gives you a special behind-the-scenes experience. With help from the animal keepers at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, you’ll learn how the animals are cared for every day. You can even meet some of the animals and help feed them! You’ll discover how the staff checks the animals’ health, watches their behavior, and keeps them happy and safe. It’s a fun and educational experience for both kids and adults!

Chimpanzee close-up experience

If you love primates, the Chimpanzee Close-Up Experience is something you shouldn’t miss! It takes place at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, where rescued and traumatized chimpanzees are given a safe home. You’ll walk with the chimps in a quiet, natural area inside the centre. Some chimps may even hold your hand or climb onto your back! It’s a rare and special chance to get close to these amazing animals and connect with them in a personal way. You will need special vaccinations before this activity. Please ask us for the vaccination form in advance.

Boat Trip to See the Shoebill in Mabamba Swamp

Uganda is a dream come true for bird lovers, with many colorful and rare birds to see. One of the most amazing is the shoebill stork – a large, grey-blue bird with a big, shoe-shaped beak that makes it truly unforgettable. Only a few thousand shoebills are left in East and Central Africa, and Mabamba Swamp in Uganda is one of the best places to see them in the wild. You can reach the swamp by motorboat from Entebbe. As you glide through the quiet waters, keep your eyes open – along with the shoebill, you may also spot many other beautiful water birds and animals. It’s a peaceful and exciting trip for nature lovers of all ages.

Boat Cruise on Lake Victoria

Entebbe sits on the shores of Lake Victoria, largest lake in Africa, shared by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. With over 70,000 square kilometers of water, the lake is full of beauty and adventure. One of the best ways to enjoy it is by taking a boat cruise. Watch the sun set over the water, turning the lake a glowing orange — it’s a magical moment best seen from the boat. For food and wine lovers, there’s also a special cheese and wine cruise, where you can relax, sip, and toast to your trip in style. Whether you’re after peace, beauty, or a touch of luxury, a Lake Victoria cruise is the perfect way to end your day.

Sport Fishing on Lake Victoria

Out in the heart of Lake Victoria, surrounded by birds, wildlife, and peaceful waters, sport fishing offers a calm and relaxing break from the busy safari trails. You’ll fish from a boat with beautiful views all around. The highlight? Trying to catch the Nile perch – one of the lake’s biggest and most powerful fish! It’s an exciting challenge in a quiet, scenic setting that’s perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Botanical gardens

Uganda’s National Botanical Gardens in Entebbe have many birds, plants, monkeys, and even big termite mounds. The gardens have been here since the early 1900s and have different areas, including a small rainforest. You can walk on quiet paths and look for birds like hornbills and animals like colobus monkeys. You will also see marabou storks—big birds with bald heads. In 2007, many were removed from the city because people thought they looked too ugly for a visit from Queen Elizabeth II. If you visit in November, you might see the Milege Music Festival, with live Afro-jazz music from a Ugandan band. A great place to enjoy nature and relax in Entebbe.

Ssese islands

The Ssese Islands are a group of 84 islands in Lake Victoria. Many of the smaller islands have no people living on them, but the bigger ones, like Bugala and Bulago Island, are great places to relax after a busy safari. Bulago Island is the closest island to Entebbe and Kampala, and you can get there easily by a short boat ride. The island is green and tropical, with palm trees along the beaches and forests all around. Most people on the islands live from fishing, and you’ll often find fresh Nile perch on the menu — a tasty local dish! Because of the thick forests, the islands are home to more than 300 types of birds. This makes Bulago Island a perfect tropical getaway in Uganda, especially for bird lovers and nature fans.

Entebbe Accommodation

Entebbe has many places to stay, with options for every kind of traveler. If you’re arriving from a long international flight, luxury boutique hotels like Hotel No.5 offer quiet, comfortable rooms and beautiful views of Lake Victoria — perfect for rest and recovery. For travelers with busy schedules, there are hotels near the airport that make quick transfers easy and stress-free. If you want to stay close to nature, choose a hotel by the beach. You can enjoy the peaceful view of the lake, wake up to the sound of gentle waves, and hear birds calling in the distance. No matter what kind of stay you’re looking for, Entebbe has a place that fits your needs.

How to Get to Entebbe, Uganda

Entebbe International Airport is the main airport in Uganda. It has direct flights from over 20 countries, including places like Johannesburg, Dubai, Doha, London, and Amsterdam. These cities also connect easily to the rest of the world, making it simple to reach Uganda. From Entebbe, you can take domestic flights to many parts of the country. For example, a 2-hour 20-minute flight to Kihihi takes you close to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where you can see mountain gorillas. This makes Entebbe the perfect starting point for your wildlife adventure in Uganda.

How to Combine Entebbe and Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Many visitors wonder if they can go gorilla trekking directly from Entebbe. The gorilla parks are too far for a day trip, but Entebbe is the main starting point for adventures into Uganda’s wild places. The best spots for gorilla trekking are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. To get to Bwindi, most people fly from Entebbe to Kihihi or Kisoro—small airports close to the park entrances. These flights are quick and run regularly, saving you from a long 10-hour drive. The drive is beautiful, passing through tea plantations, busy roadside towns, and the Kigezi Highlands, but it takes a long time. If you want to trek in Mgahinga, you can take an early morning flight from Entebbe to Kisoro, then travel by road to the park. This trip adds extra excitement as you head towards the stunning Virunga Mountains.