Back in the day, the beautifully verdant Town of Entebbe was known as the Capital City of Uganda and is known to rewards visitors with comforting ambiance as well as out-of-this-World natural attractions.

Location of Entebbe Town

The Town of Entebbe is found on a Peninsula (northern shores) of Lake Victoria (the largest freshwater Lake in the African Continent), about 22 miles south-west of Kampala City (the largest and Capital City of Uganda) in the Central part of the country. When it comes to altitude, the Town sits on an area of 1180 meters (3870 feet) above sea level.

Size of Entebbe Town

Entebbe Town extends for about 56 square kilometers of which the water area sprawls for 20 square kilometers.

History of Entebbe Town

Before anything else, Entebbe Town first became a Colonial Administrative and Commercial Center in the 1890s when Sir Gerald Portal had his base as Colonial Commissioner. Additionally, it used to be the seat of Government for the British Protectorate of Uganda before Independence on 9^th October 1962. The name “Entebbe” means “seat” in the local Kiganda dialect, given the fact that it used to be a place where the Buganda Chief would sit to hear several legal cases.

Interesting things to see in Entebbe Town

National Botanical Garden

The vast Entebbe Botanical Garden was established in 1898 and is one of the magnificent tourist attractions in the Town of Entebbe. This Garden is known for sheltering about 320 species of exotic species of flora as well as wide array of mammal (primates) and bird species. This stunningly verdant Rainforest zone was once used as the shooting spot for the original Tarzan film in the early 1940s.

Mabamba Bay Wetland

Mabamba Bay Wetland is one of the top Important Bird Areas of Uganda, and is found along the calm shores of Lake Victoria, in the west of this Town. Its wetland grasses, dense marshes of papyrus, water lilies and other vegetation types shelter over 260 bird species, popular ones being shoebill storks, Blue swallow, Papyrus yellow warblers, Great blue Turaco and Pallid Harrier among others.

Uganda Wildlife Education Center

Uganda Wildlife Education Center was originally established as a Rehabilitation, breeding and Recuperation Center for different indigenous wildlife species that were originally rescued from poachers as well as illegal wildlife pet traders in their natural environments. The Center also conducts a sensitization and awareness programs in the local communities. However, the area is also open all year round to visitors interested in seeing Tigers, leopards, Rhinos, Rothschild giraffes, Chimpanzees, Defassa waterbucks, vervet monkeys, Rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, olive baboons, bushbucks and Topis among others.

Tranquil white sand beaches

Given its location on the shores of Lake Victoria, most of Uganda’s beautiful beaches are found in Entebbe and are perfect for unwinding after a hectic gorilla trek, wildlife tour or any other safari in Uganda. Visitors can relax at Aero Beach, Lido Beach, Spenah Beach, Botanical Garden Beach, Nabugabo Sand Beach and One Love Beach among others.

Historical site of Kigungu

The Town of Entebbe is also haven to the historical site within Kigungu, where the first Catholic Missionary Brothers-Father Mon Maple Lourdel and Brother Amans first landed to start preaching about Catholic Faith in the country.

Entebbe Gold Course and Club

Entebbe Town features a spectacular 18-hole Golf Course or the 9-hole Golf Course at Lake Victoria Serena are rated among the best places to relax while playing your favorite sport. The main Golf Course was set up in 1901, making it the oldest Golf Course in the country. This Course surrounded the Uganda Wildlife Education Center and invites players all year round.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

The beautiful Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary was established in 1998 by Jane Goodall as Research center for the endangered Chimpanzees, and has now become home to about 50 rescued/orphaned Chimpanzees.

Uganda Reptiles Village

Located about 3 kilometers off the Entebbe-Kampala road at Abaita Ababiri and only about 20-minute drive from the Town of Entebbe is the exceptional Uganda Reptiles Village. This site is home to some of the World’s deadliest reptiles such as Crocodiles, Green and Black Mambas, Puff Adders, Gabon Vipers, Forest Cobras as well as the Jackson’s chameleons, Tortoises and Monitor Lizards among others.

Where to stay while exploring Entebbe Town

There are a number of charming places to stay while exploring Entebbe Town and these include the stunning Boma Hotel (that blends together African and Colonial style as well as relaxing ambiance and hospitality). Other magnificent places to stay are Entebbe Palm Hotel, Lake Heights Hotel Entebbe, Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa (an upmarket Italian-inspired Resort situated along the quiet shores of Lake Victoria), Protea Hotel by Marriott, Imperial Resort Beach Hotel, 2 Friends Beach Hotel, Gately Inn Entebbe, to mention but a few.

When is the best time to tour Entebbe Town?

Entebbe Town can be toured throughout the year, but most travellers prefer visiting during the dry season-January, February, June, July, August, September and December.