Entebbe, Uganda

What To Do in Entebbe Town, Uganda

Entebbe is a small town located on the shores of Lake Victoria the largest fresh water lake in Africa. Entebbe is the closest town to Entebbe International Air port which is the main gate way to Uganda. Entebbe town is just 5 minutes drive from Entebbe Airport and an ideal town to spend your first night in Uganda. It is the best place to spend the first few nights of your stay in order to acclimatise. Entebbe is a luganda word which means a ‘chair”. It’s where one of the clan head used to seat and decide on cases of his subject. The stone (chair located in Lake Victoria) where he used to seat remains a strong cultural attraction till now.

Entebbe has a more relaxed atmosphere than Kampala, made up of Entebbe Town and the suburb of Kitoro, where you will find some bars, markets and shops. It makes for a nice place to stroll around and you’ll probably have your first introduction to wildlife here, with plenty of birds, cheeky monkeys and tree squirrels. It’s a nice starting point for your safari as you may choose to take a boat cruise to Ngamba Island to visit orphaned chimpanzees, visit the botanical gardens for birding or Uganda Wild life Education Center for behind the scene program or a general guided tour. You may choose to do dome fishing on Lake Victoria, wine and cheese cruise or sun set cruise.

There so many hotels and guest houses which include Protea Hotel, Lake Victoria Hotel, Serena Lake Victoria, Lake Heights, Boma Guest House, Karibu Guest House, Airport Guest House, African Roots Guest House among other.

Activities in Entebbe, Uganda

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

You will leave Entebbe and travel by speed boat or traditional motorized canoe to Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary located on beautiful Lake Victoria. This boat ride is about one hour on a speed boat and about one and half hours on a motorised canoe crossing the equator.

Officially opened in 1999, Ngamba Island was created to offer permanent sanctuary to orphaned chimpanzees, victims of illegal trade and habitat destruction. Now home to more than 45 chimps, the island serves as a tourist destination for local and international travellers offering an opportunity to learn about the species and the importance of conserving their fragile forest habitat. Enjoy a guided tour of the sanctuary and a close up experience with the chimpanzees as they come into camp for their morning or afternoon feeding. Cold drinks, tea and coffee are available at Ngamba and the island has a unique gift shop with a wide range of local crafts and sanctuary related tshirts and products. Your visit and purchases directly support the project with proceeds going towards operating costs of the sanctuary, ensuring the well being of the chimpanzees.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Integration Program

Visitors to Ngamba can participate in the integration program of the chimpanzees by participating in the outside enclosure integration or the forest walk program. By being part of the team going out in the enclosure with the infants, you will be able to give them support by holding them, as there may be need, as they are introduced to the older individuals and also they are showed different parts of the forest to get them to learn that it is safe and a better place for them to be. You will be in the company of several chimpanzees ranging in age from 5 years to 9 years of age and you will have direct contact as we orient them to life in the forest and possible future release program back to the wild.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary – Caregiver for a Day

This unique experience offers guests the once in a lifetime opportunity to be a chimpanzee caregiver for a day. Leaving from Entebbe, travel by speed boat or traditional motorized canoe to Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary located on beautiful Lake Victoria. Officially opened in 1999, Ngamba Island was created to offer permanent sanctuary to orphaned chimpanzees, victims of illegal trade and habitat destruction. Now home to more than 45 chimps, the island serves as a tourist destination for local and international travellers offering an opportunity to learn about the species and the importance of conserving their fragile forest habitat.

Upon arrival, you will join the sanctuary’s caregiving team who will introduce you to the island and the chimpanzees. During your stay you will have the opportunity to assist staff in feeding, observing, and interacting with the chimps, learning all that is involved in their care. Following your overnight stay in the tented camp where you will experience the sights and sounds of the forest as the sun sets over Lake Victoria, you will awaken to the calls of the chimpanzees. Join the staff for the highlight of the trip on a very special walk with the sanctuary’s young chimpanzees, where you will have intimate one on one interaction with these energetic young orphans as they as they explore the forest, have their morning meal or enjoy special play time with their caregivers.

Please be aware that participation in caregiver activities requires special vaccinations and precautions designed to protect your health as well as the health of the chimpanzees. Please refer to our information sheet (provided) for more detailed information on Chimpanzee Caregiver requirements, conditions, and considerations.

Wine and Cheese Cruise – Lake Victoria, Entebbe

While in Entebbe you can embark on one and half hour Sunset cruise on the lake accompanied by cheese platter and your choice of wine on our boats Watching the fishermen cast their nets, view of rare bird species and get a chance to even cross the equator line to view the sun over the horizon.

Lake Victoria Sunset Cruise – Lake Victoria, Entebbe

Enjoy a sunset cruise in the waters of beautiful Lake Victoria. Depart late afternoon and travel out towards the equator and the lake’s many local islands as fishermen cast their nets. Share a glass of wine or beer and light hor d’ouvres with your party as you watch the sun set over the horizon.

Mabamba Swamp – Lake Victoria, Entebbe

If you are an avid bird watcher, and have a bit more time we can also incorporate a visit to the Mabamba papyrus swamp area – home to several pairs of the share Shoebill Stork. As well as the possibility of seeing these elusive birds, there is an abundance of other water birds, wildlife such as otters and much more to view amongst the tranquil waters of this area.

Fishing Excursion – Lake Victoria, Entebbe

Enjoy a fishing excursion on the waters of Lake Victoria, home to one of the world’s largest freshwater fish, the Nile perch. Accompanied by highly skilled guides and professional equipment, troll for the perch using a catch and release method. Patience, along with a cooler of beverages and light refreshments, are all you’ll need to enjoy this angling adventure. All of our boats are well maintained with safety equipment, raingear and all necessary supplies on board at all times.

Chimp Close Up – Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, Entebbe (UWEC)

Getting up close offers you the chance to embark on a highly moving and unique experience whereby you will have the privilege to have direct contact with these amazing younger chimpanzees’ playful, cling and climb all over you. This will be an experience of life time. During the interaction, the caregivers and the visitor will be in the direct contact of chimpanzee which is a good opportunity of learning about their behaviors, threats and what can be done to save the species. Please be aware that the participation in one on one encounters with wildlife at the centre requires special vaccinations and precautions designed to protect your health as well as the health of the chimpanzees.

Behind the Scenes Tour – Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, Entebbe

Join the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre’s (UWEC) professional staff as they guide you through the daily activities required in caring for the centre’s many animals. Formed in 1994 as a trust to transform the neglected Entebbe Zoo, UWEC is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife, educating Ugandans about the benefits of conserving the country’s biodiversity and working with local and international partners to initiate conservation activities throughout Uganda’s national parks and protected areas.

Experience the thrill by going beyond just watching the animals. With the behind the scenes programme, one gets to visit the holding facilities or exhibits, food preparation areas, the pharmacy, quarantine facility, workshops, taking part in rescues etc. Behind the scenes program will give you an inside view of what actually takes place in areas out of reach to the public including the animal holding facility, animal hospital and rescue centre (upon advice of the veterinarian) and with in depth information from an animal keeper, veterinarian or educators.

There is no health requirement for this activity as we will ensure that there is no direct contact with animals.

Keeper for a Day – Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, Entebbe

Leave your accommodation in the early hours of the morning to rise with the animals at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC). Formed in 1994 as a trust to transform the neglected Entebbe Zoo, UWEC is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife, educating Ugandans about the benefits of conserving the country’s biodiversity and working with local and international partners to initiate conservation activities throughout Uganda’s national parks and protected areas.

Join UWEC’s keepers in preparing the animals’ food, then jump on the tractor to move from one exhibit to another while you help feed an amazing array of exotic and endangered animals from giraffes to lions to chimpanzees. Get a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes of a rescue centre as you attend keeper briefings, participate in recording the animals’ behaviours or observe keepers perform daily health checks. This full day’s adventure will leave you with the memory of a lifetime.

Return to your accommodation for drinks and dinner and to discuss this amazing experience with your fellow travellers. Please be aware that the participation in keeper activities requires special vaccinations and precautions designed to protect your health as well as the health of the animals. Please refer to our information sheet (provided) for more detailed information on Keeper for a Day requirements, conditions, and considerations.

Keeper‘s Guided Tour – Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, Entebbe

Join the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre’s (UWEC) professional staff as they guide you through the daily activities required in caring for the centre’s many animals. Formed in 1994 as a trust to transform the neglected Entebbe Zoo, UWEC is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife, educating Ugandans about the benefits of conserving the country’s biodiversity and working with local and international partners to initiate conservation activities throughout Uganda’s national parks and protected areas.

This special tour gives you firsthand experience in the behaviour, habitats and activities of UWEC’s diverse mammal, bird and reptile species. Learn about the centre’s resident animals and their individual stories, personalities and special needs. Find out what it takes to rescue, rehabilitate and properly care for orphaned and injured wildlife. In just a few hours you will have an intimate understanding of the lives of Africa’s rescued wildlife and a new appreciation of the complexities of conservation in Uganda.