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Overview
- Duration:1 day 1 night
- Travelers:1 - 15 guests
- Tour Type:Daily tour
- Language:English, French, German, Italian
Historically, Entebbe played a crucial role during the colonial era as the seat of the British Protectorate government before the capital was moved to Kampala. Today, it retains several colonial-era structures and landmarks that reflect its rich heritage. One of its most iconic attractions is the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), commonly known as the Entebbe Zoo, which provides visitors with an opportunity to learn about and experience Uganda’s diverse wildlife in a semi-natural environment.
Another major highlight is the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, established in 1898, which boast a wide variety of indigenous and exotic plant species and offer tranquil walking paths shaded by mature trees. The town’s lakeshore setting also makes it a popular destination for water-related activities such as boat rides, fishing, and bird watching, with numerous bird species thriving in the area.
Entebbe is also known for its vibrant hospitality sector, featuring a range of hotels, resorts, and beachside restaurants that cater to both local and international visitors. Its proximity to the equator, pleasant climate, and scenic beauty make it an ideal spot for relaxation and leisure. In addition, Entebbe hosts key government institutions, including State House, the official residence of the President of Uganda.
Overall, Entebbe blends natural beauty, historical importance, and modern convenience, making it a charming and essential destination for anyone visiting Uganda. It offers a welcoming atmosphere, rich cultural experiences, and a deep connection to the country’s natural environment.
Itinerary
1 Day Explore Entebbe City
1 Day Explore Entebbe City : Entebbe was the capital of Uganda during the colonial era and it derives its name from a Luganda phrase “Entebbe za mugala”. This literally meaning the headquarters “seat”, basically named so because it was the place where the Banda chief sat to adjudicate legal cases. Entebbe is also best known to Europeans as the home of Entebbe International Airport, the main Airport of Uganda which was officially opened on 10th November 1951.
The Airport has long been the main port of entry and arrival for international arrivals to Uganda for about as long as the country has been receiving international visitors. As a matter of fact, in 1913, Sir Frederick Treves arrived at Entebbe from the ports of Mwanza and Kisumu and described it as “the prettiest and most charming town of the lake”. Otherwise, this tour will take you to some of the most attractive places in Entebbe. These include; Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), the Botanical gardens and the Mabamba swamp.
Detailed Itinerary
Mabamba Swamp
After having your morning breakfast, you will be picked by our representative. Later, head to Nakiwogo dock where you will take a boat ride to Mabamba swamp. The swamp is basically one of the best places in Uganda to spot the highly sought-after shoe bill in its natural habitat. As you navigate the swamp, pay attention on both sides since you will not only spot the shoebill but also other different wildlife like the sitatunga.
Other bird species to spot include; white-winged warble, blue swallow, black-headed weaver. Papyrus gonolek, swamp flycatcher, pigmy goose, grosbeak weaver, northern brown-throated weaver. Clarke’s weaver, palm-nut vulture, papyrus yellow warbler, blue breasted bee-eater. Goliath heron, African fish eagle, long tailed cormorant, yellow billed duck, malachite kingfisher, etc.
Uganda Wildlife Education Centre
After lunch, you will head to Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Center which is located in Entebbe. It was founded in 1952 to accommodate confiscated and injured wildlife and to look after orphan animals confiscated from smugglers. This Center is where wildlife education is combined with leisure. Here you will not only observe the exciting indigenous species, but also have a comprehensive interactive interpretation and briefings on them. While here, you will across animals in their cages. Some of these include; zebras, lions, tigers.
Leopards, elephants, buffalos, water bucks, giraffes. Warthogs, impalas, Jackson’s hartebeests. Cheetahs, caracals, rhinos, elands, civet cats, etc. Also watch out for reptiles like the rock pythons,
carbon vipers, black mambas, Jameson’s mamba, etc. This place also harbors primates like the chimpanzees, black and white colobus, DeBraza monkey, red tailed monkeys as well as vervet monkeys. You will also come across different bird species like the turacos, kingfishers, robin chats, herons. Finches, starlings, thrushes, bee-eaters, sunbirds, goose, flycatchers, peacocks, the rare shoebill, etc. If you are interested in botany you will also find live collections of traditional medicinal plants.
End of Tour