Entebbe City

Entebbe City : is a city in Central Uganda located on a Lake Victoria peninsula, a few metres North of the Equator. It is also approximately 40km south of modern capital Kampala in Wakiso district. It was capital of Uganda during the colonial era and became a British colonial administrative and commercial center in 1893. Sir Gerald Portal used it as a base and it was once the seat of government for the Protectorate of Uganda prior to independence, in 1962.

Entebbe was initially named Entebbe International Airport in 1951, Uganda’s largest commercial and military airport. This Airport was also known for the dramatic rescue of 100 hostages kidnapped by the militant group of the Revolutionary cell’s organizations. Generally, the city is a location of the State House, the official office and residence of the president of Uganda. Nevertheless in 1913, Sir Frederick Treves described Entebbe as “the prettiest and most charming town of the lake”.

Why is it called Entebbe?

The word came from Luganda language “entebe” meaning “chair or seat”. Initially, Entebbe was a cultural site for the Mamba clan deriving the Luganda phrase ‘Entebe za Mugala’. Literally meaning the ‘Headquarters’ where the Baganda chief sat to adjudicate legal cases.

Climate

Entebbe experiences tropical rainforest climate according to the climate classification. The driest season is January while the wettest season is April because the temperature is moderated by the altitude. However, the hottest month is February while the coolest month is July.

Tourist attractions

The extensive Entebbe botanical gardens

The gardens were laid out in 1898 and lies at the shores of the world’s fresh water lake, Lake Victoria situated at the Equator line. It is an attractively laid-out fix of indigenous forests, cultivation, horticulture and a bird paradise where tourists can go for bird watching. Some of the bird species include; red chested sunbirds, marabou stork, black-headed heron, hamerkop, long tailed cormorant etc. The garden is also a favorite place for botanists boasting with over 300 species of plants. These range from tropical, sub-tropical and temperature zones. Besides, several shrubs, butterflies and other plants regenerated naturally over the years.

Additionally, Botanical garden is a habitat for tree squirrels and monkey species such as the black and white colobus monkey, red-tailed monkey etc. The spider webs are also another interesting factor with different types of spiders to be seen. Tourists can enjoy guided nature walks at the rocky area near the magnificent lake and to the forest canopy. While here, you also enjoy views of more bird species and getting enchanted with the cool breeze.

The Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (ZOO)

The Entebbe Zoo was established as a sanctuary for orphaned and injured or rescued wild animals in 1950. It was founded by the colonial government with help from the Wildlife Conversation Society. Later in 1960, it became a traditional zoo where people would go to sight famous African wildlife. While at the zoo, you can have a comprehensive interpretation and briefing on the animals. It is filled with animals such as white rhinos, lions, giraffes, warthogs, crocodiles, peacocks.  Parrots, shoebills, marabou storks, elands, impalas, African rock pythons, kobs, zebras, leopards etc. Over 120 species of birds and 23 species of primates (black and white colobus monkeys, Debraza monkeys etc.). Apart from animals the zoo also has abundant plant life (flowers, herbs and shrubs) and butterfly species.

What to do while at UWEC

For those who want a more in-depth educative experience at the this place. A guide can be hired at a fee of $10 to show you the animals and answer all your questions. The centre also arranges donkey and camel rides at a small fee. One can also take a boat along the shores of Lake Victoria. At UWEC you can get up close with the chimpanzees. While tracking Chimpanzees in Kibale National Park is rewarding here you get to play and interact with the chimps as much as you want.

You can also participate in the Behind-the-scenes tour where you get a chance to prepare the animals’ food. Besides you can take part in health checks and bring the animals back to their shelters. Above all, you can be a keeper for a day which is a more hands on tour where you take part in feeding some of the animals. Hang around with the animals as a zookeeper for a day. In conclusion, the zoo is a place for all, adults and children. The guides are quite informative and the experience is fun and exciting. It is not exactly a national park but the animals still feel at home in their respective enclosures and as a conservational area, the animal’s comfort is what really counts.

Reptile Village

Generally, this village lies on the northwestern edge of Entebbe, 3km off the main road. The village’s major function is to educate people about reptiles so that they can overcome their fears and take interest in their conservation. Reptile village has over 20 reptile species like the boomslangs, the Gabon viper, forest cobra, leopard tortoise etc. However, visitors are given an opportunity to lift the rock python under the supervision of the reptile guides.

The guides are quite informative and often share intriguing facts about the reptiles in the village. At the extreme edges of the sites, one can enjoy the sight of the swampy areas which are habitat to different reptiles, birds and monkeys. Around the swampy areas, tourists can enjoy adventurous activities such as canoeing in the artificial river and sport fishing as well. Today, the village is enclosed in a fence and three large concrete structures stand in the middle as the home for reptiles.

Ziika Forest

This forest is among the many small forest in Uganda that has got exclusive mature trees and the best for bird watching in Entebbe. Ziika means “overgrown” in Luganda language. A small trail network explores the forest at ground levels while a high metal tower provides a birds’ and monkeys’ eye view across and at the top of the forest canopy. Bio diversity of swamps that is full of crocodiles, grasslands as well as forest types which spreads to Lake Victoria. There are over 140 types of woody plants, 60 moth types, leopards, snakes, monkeys and antelopes that are found in this forest. This forest, say many birders, is a great place for bird watching yet also has a great educational advantage.

Mabamba Swamp

It is the natural habitat for the elusive Shoebill in Africa. Bird watching in this swamp is done mainly on a canoe which is run by experienced tour guides. They have developed skills and knowledge of special places where the rare shoebill stork can be viewed. Other bird species include swamp flycatcher, African water rail, papyrus gonolek, lesser jacana, African jacana. White-faced whistling duck, blue breasted bee eater, goliath heron to mention but a few.

Other wildlife in this part include; the antelopes, plant species etc. Butterfly species such as gossamer winged butterflies, skippers, brush footed butterflies, emperor swallowtail, hairstreaks to mention but a few. Mabamba swamp can be accessed from Entebbe town which is a 1hour drive, and still a ferry from Nakiwogo landing site can be used which takes only 20 minutes to the swamp.

Lutembe Bay

This is a Ramsar site and birder’s destination on Lake Victoria located on the eastern side of Kampala-Entebbe. Lutembe bay being a wetland on Lake Victoria is home to lots of water and wetland associated birds. However, the site extends beyond the papyrus filled lake shore to cover wooded grasslands, gardens and thickets which contribute to a high diversity of birds in Lutembe area. The wetland is home to 8 of the 12 Lake Victoria biome species in Uganda. It is also a home to over 108 bird species and these include; papyrus gonolek, African skimmer, papyrus yellow warbler, Madagascar Squacco heron to mention but a few.

Entebbe Golf Club

This is the oldest golf course in East Africa and was established in 1900. This golf club is located a few yards away from the shores of Lake Victoria. It is also surrounded by the in the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre which is well endowed with Rhinos, Lions, Giraffes and others. Golfers will surely enjoy the nice refreshing breeze from the Lake to the Zoo animals cheering their good shots.

How to get there

One can reach to Entebbe by means of mini buses or taxis from Kampala which takes approximately 1-2 hours by road, depending on the traffic jam on the day you’re travelling.

Where to stay

Luxury

• Imperial Resort Beach Hotel
• Protea hotel
• K Hotels
• Aquarius Kigo Resort

Mid-range

• Lake Heights Hotel
• Innophine Hotel
• Executive Airport Hotel
• Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel

Budget

• Anderitah Beach Hotel
• Gately Inn Entebbe
• Sienna Beach Hotel
• Sky Beach Hotel