What to See Around Entebbe on a Self drive Vacation

Entebbe is a city in Central Uganda which is located on Lake Victoria peninsula. The city is the location of Entebbe International Airport, Uganda’s largest commercial and military airport. Entebbe is also the location of State House, the official office and residence of the President of Uganda. The city has a lot to offer as tourism attractions, its strategically located and being a city where the international airport is found, visitors find it easier to start their Itineraries from Entebbe or to end their long Itineraries by relaxing on Lake Victoria one of the great lakes in Africa. Here below are some of attractions which can be seen in Entebbe which can be explored on self-drive trip.

Uganda wildlife Conservation Education Centre.

The Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Center (UWEC), popularly known as Entebbe Zoo, is a conservation center where all animals found in Uganda can be accessed. It was formed in 1952 as a reception center for wild animals that were found as casualties, either injured, orphaned, sick, or confiscated from the illegal trade. Thereafter in the 1960s it changed its role into a zoo and non-indigenous species were introduced and kept as an attraction.

The center is host to free ranging and caged animals, birds, several tree species and shrubs. Visitors pays entrance fees and enter the Centre to enjoy animals. The environment is cool, the place is also next to Lake Victoria the biggest in Uganda. Driving to the UWEC is easy and self-drive clients can locate the place through navigation systems.

Mabamba swamp

Mabamba swamp is a wetland on the edge of Lake Victoria, it is one of Uganda’s 33 Important Bird Areas. Key protected bird species in Mabamba are the shoebill, the blue swallow and the papyrus gonolek.

The main tourism activity here is bird watching, visitors cruise on the canoe boats in search for Shoebill and other bird species. The boat experience through the swamp allowing great views of the bird life along the way in search for the elusive shoe bill stock. The place derived its name from a lungi fish which inhabits the waters and its food to the shoe bill.

There are local guides who give information about the place and while on the boat cruise more information will be given about different attractions.

Ngamba Island.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, is an island sanctuary in Uganda located on Lake Victoria. Its main aim is to care for orphaned eastern chimpanzees, that have been rescued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Many of the chimpanzees were rescued from poachers and are unlikely to survive reintroduction to the wild.

The island supports a rich diversity of natural wildlife and provides a variety of natural foods for the chimpanzees. Due to the number of chimpanzees, the natural food in the forest is not enough for chimpanzees so they are also given fruits, and other eats to supplement on the natural food in the forest. This is done in sessions and visitors can view the chimps while on a feeding session.

The Island is accessed by boat. The Island has accommodation facilities for those clients who would prefer to spend a night or nights at the island.

 

Botanical Gardens

These are located in Entebbe, Uganda. The gardens are divided into different zones, including a rainforest zone.

This rainforest formed the backdrop to scenes from the Tarzan films featuring Johnny Weissmuller, shot in the 1940s. Many activities can be done here including bird watching, biking, nature walks music festivals, and many more. Visitors can relax in the gardens after long trips, there also a beach where swimming can be done.

Lake Victoria.

Lake Victoria is the biggest lake in Uganda and it is shared between Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. The lake is beautiful and many tourism activities can be done here for instance, Swimming, boat rides, birding, Nature walks on the Island and many more.

The lake is blessed with many types of fish like Tilapia, Nile perch, silver fish, and many others. Visitors can explore different fishing methods and the types of fish in the lake.

Where to sleep in Entebbe.

There are many different types of accommodation facilities in Entebbe, ranging from Budget Midrange and Luxury/High end. The accommodations provide solution to clients who prefer to spend some nights in Entebbe before they proceed to other destinations and those who prefer to first relax in Entebbe before boarding their return flights. Some of the hotels in Entebbe are here below.

Mowi Cribs Hotel and Spa

The Hotel is located 15 minutes away from Entebbe international airport. They provide good services to clients and their staff are well equipped and friendly. Visitors can have a night at this hotel before they start their long holidays in Uganda or after. Some of the services here include Dining, Restaurant, spa treatment, airport transfers, they have different types of rooms which suits to visitor’s needs.

Via Via Entebbe

When you arrive in Uganda, Entebbe is the gate way, and Via Via is strategically located in Entebbe city to cover the need of accommodation stay when you enter Uganda. The facility has a dazzling garden, and delicious healthy food mixed in and many more. They have campfires which serve as the ideal gathering spot for people from across the globe.

Hotel No 5

Hotel No 5 is a luxury boutique hotel in Entebbe which covers the gap for luxury accommodations. It is located near UWEC’s beach. They have excellent services, like restaurant, free private parking, swimming pool, bar, lounge, garden, shuttle service, free WIFI and many more.

The place is safe, cool and the rooms will make you feel at home. The rooms have private bathrooms, desk and so on. All these makes visitors to feel unique in Uganda.