This calm lakeside town along Lake Victoria has a wildlife education center, botanical gardens, and serves as Uganda's main airport hub since 1929.
Entebbe extends into Lake Victoria on a peninsula 40 kilometers south of Kampala. You can watch rare shoebill storks hunt for fish in Mabamba Swamp, walk among 120-year-old fig trees in the botanical gardens, or take a boat to see rescued chimpanzees at Ngamba Island. The city's Lake Victoria beaches come alive with local families and food vendors during weekends.
Getting to and Around Entebbe
The Entebbe International Airport connects Uganda to major cities including Dubai, Amsterdam, and Brussels. The new 51-kilometer Entebbe-Kampala Expressway has reduced travel time to the capital to about 30 minutes. You can walk to most attractions within central Entebbe or take a taxi for longer distances. The streets are generally safe to walk during daylight hours.
Climate and Best Time to Visit
At 1,146 meters above sea level, Entebbe maintains temperatures between 25-28°C year-round. Rain falls throughout the year, with heavier showers in March-May and October-November. Visit the beaches on weekdays to avoid crowds. While Lake Victoria's waters look inviting, swimming isn't recommended due to water quality concerns.
Wildlife Viewing at Mabamba Swamp
Head to Mabamba Swamp, 12 kilometers west of the city, to see shoebill storks in their natural habitat. Local guides paddle wooden canoes through narrow channels between papyrus reeds. Start your trip between 6:30-7:00 AM when the birds are most active hunting for lungfish in the marsh.
Uganda Wildlife Education Centre
Since 1952, this center has rehabilitated injured wildlife and educated visitors about conservation. You can see lions in 3-acre enclosures and two of Uganda's endangered black rhinos in a protected 7-acre space. Join the morning feeding sessions to learn how keepers care for the animals.
Botanical Gardens
The 1898 gardens spread across 40 hectares, with labeled trees and plants from three climate zones. Follow the 2-kilometer trail through sections of medicinal plants and rainforest species. Red-tailed monkeys swing through the tree canopy, and over 115 bird species nest in the gardens.
Lake Victoria Activities
Book a boat trip to the Ssese Islands or visit Ngamba Island's 45 rescued chimpanzees, where you can watch feeding times at 11:00 AM and 2:30 PM. Fishing guides take you to spots known for Nile perch, with strict catch-and-release rules protecting the fish population.
Historical Note: The 1976 Entebbe Raid
The old airport terminal houses a memorial to Operation Thunderbolt, when Israeli commandos rescued 103 Air France passengers held hostage by Palestinian hijackers on July 3-4, 1976. You can see the original control tower and runway where this significant counter-terrorism operation took place.
