Situated on the shores of Lake Victoria, 35km south of Kampala, Entebbe forms the start of most people’s journeys discovering Uganda, as it’s the location of the country’s International Airport (EBB). Many people overnight here at the start and end of their safaris, but if you have time, it’s an area worth exploring in itself, with a lot of interest-ing activities on offer.
It was once the capital of Uganda, before independence in 1962, but nowadays is a more appealing introduction to Uganda than the capital, with far more languid charm and lush tropical beauty than its traffic-choked neighbour.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, teeming with birds and monkeys including Black and white colobus (pictured)
• Pop by the Reptile Village for a fascinating introduction to the snakes of Uganda
• Take a tour of the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre which plays an important role in the protection of animals that can no longer fend for themselves in the wild—you can even be a keeper for a day or sign up for a longer voluntourism programme
• Cruise over to nearby Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria for an insight into Chimpanzee conservation and a chance to witness feeding time
• Overnight at Ngamba Island for the chance to walk with rescued chimps in the for-est—the Chimp Caretaker experience
• For something completely different, head to nearby Kajjansi airstrip for an acrobatic biplane experience—just don’t forget to skip breakfast beforehand!
• Other flight experiences on offer out of Kajjansi include sight-seeing flights over the Ssese Islands or Jinja and the Source of the Nile
• Drive to nearby Mabamba Swamp for a day trip in a canoe to search for Shoebill