Entebbe Town
Activities in Entebbe – Behind the Scene Tour in UWEC, Bird Watching, Ngamba Chimps, Flights. Entebbe is a major town in central Uganda.
Entebbe town is a majorly in central Uganda located on the Lake Victoria peninsular. The town was at one time the seat of the colonial government in Uganda prior to independence in 1962.
Entebbe lies on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake which is approximately 37km southwest of Kampala, Uganda’s Capital and largest city. It covers a total area of 56.2sq.km with a population of 79700 people.
Entebbe in local luganda language probably means a “seat” it was named that because it was the place where a Baganda chief used to seat to adjudicate legal cases, it first became a British colonial administrative and commercial Centre in 1893 when Sir Gerald portal, a colonial commissioner used it as a base.
Entebbe features a tropical rain forest climate with relatively constantly temperatures throughout the course of the year. Entebbe is again where the principal international Airport of Uganda is located just on the Lake Victoria shore and about 41km from Kampala city.
Within the town of Entebbe, being strategically located near the International Airport and on the shores of the Lake Victoria, it has good Uganda safari hotels and guest houses that accommodate visitors upon their arrival without troubling to drive to Kampala, depending on their program of travel in the country.
Attractions Around Entebbe town
- The National botanical gardens that was laid out in 1898
- Entebbe is the home of the virus research institute (UVRI)
- Entebbe hosts the wildlife education Centre (UWEC) at the same time called Entebbe zoo.
- Entebbe is a home to historical site in Kigungu where the first catholic missionaries brother Amans and father Maple Laurdel landed to establish the catholic faith in Uganda.
- Entebbe is the location of Nkumba University, state house which is the official residence of the president of the Republic of Uganda.
Entebbe International Airport
Entebbe International Airport (IATA: EBB, ICAO: HUEN) is the principal international airport of Uganda. Located about 45 minutes from the main campus of Kampala International University, near the town of Entebbe, on the shores of Lake Victoria, and approximately 40.5 kilometres (25 mi) by road south-west of the central business district of Kampala, the capital and largest city of Uganda. It is the only international airport of Uganda. The headquarters of the Civil Aviation Authority of Uganda have been relocated to a new block off the airport highway, but adjacent to the airport terminals.
UWEC – ENTEBBE ZOO
Popularly known as “Entebbe Zoo“, UWEC was opened in 1952, by the Colonial Government in Uganda, as a reception centre for wild animals that were found as casualties.
It’s beyond seeing and learning about animals . Participate in; corporate events, behind-the-scenes experiences, dine at our restaurant, have your children enjoy the play facilities and much more throughout the year!
The two-hour educative adventure that offers special inside look tours and interesting information about how we take care of our residents (animals and birds). You will have a close up and personal encounter with the lions, elephants plus many more wonders you have perhaps never imagined meeting.
Behind the Scene Fees:
- Non East African: Adults $ 70, Kids $ 35
- Residents: Adults $ 50, Kids $ 15
- East Africans: Adults Ugx 50,000, Kids Ugx 30,000
Date and Time: Behind the Scene is offered daily from 9 to 12 am and 2.30 to 4.30 pm
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Surrounded by the peaceful waters of Lake Victoria in Entebbe, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is home to 49 orphaned chimpanzees rescued from across East Africa. Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (Chimpanzee Trust), an NGO, is responsible for all aspects of the sanctuary. Deeply committed to and involved in both field conservation and community education, we work closely with the Ugandan government and wildlife authorities. We offer both day Trips (Half and Full day) and overnight at Ngamba Ecolodge to the sanctuary which provides an exceptional opportunity to closely observe these fascinating great apes in our unique setting.
Take a boat cruise out on Entebbe, Lake Victoria to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary and have a chance to view chimpanzees feeding. You will also be treated to sights of monitor lizards, birds, and photographic opportunities. We arrange both half and full day trips and our boats leave at either 9:00am or 12:45pm.
Upon arrival at the sanctuary, you will be directed to our visitor’s center where you will be introduced to the project, its history, our residents and their plight. On each of the two types of day visits (half day and full day), you will receive a personal orientation by a chimpanzee caregiver and view a feeding of the chimpanzees (full day visitors will view 2 feedings) from the visitors’ raised platform area along the edge of the sanctuary fence.
We encourage you to book your trip in advance to ensure availability and avoid disappointment.
Best Time to Visit Entebbe
Entebbe welcomes you visitors and tourists pretty much all year round. The perfect time to visit however is September to March which is the dry season and catching sight of the chimps in Ngamba Island is much easier.