Entebbe
Entebbe town is the main entry point to Uganda via Entebbe international airport. Located on a peninsular, Entebbe town is developing to be the tourism town of Uganda. Tours in this epic township are so rewarding most especially for those tourists that have a day or two before the start of other safaris up-country. Being a small town, most of the tourists attractions are within walking distances and as such, one can simply take a trek through it to visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Center, Botanical Gardens for birding, beaches along the Lake Victoria and roadside markets.
| Languages spoken | English, Germany, French, Swahilli, Spanish, Chinese, Luganda |
|---|---|
| Currency used | UGX / USD / GBP / EURO |
| Area (km2) | 56.2 Sq Km |
| Country name | Uganda |
Things To Do
Activities:
- Birding
- UWEC visits
- Boat and Kayak
- Music and dance
- Swimming and beaches
- Market day visits
- Relaxation
Birding
Mabamba Swamp Birding & Shoebill Viewing Safari
- Important wetlands conservation area named a Ramsar Site and Important Bird Area (IBA)
- Houses some of the 300 incredible avian life that can be spotted during boating excursions. Also houses smaller rare animals like the elusive sitatunga antelope
- Most boat safaris are organized in the morning or evening and last about two and a half hours. Day-long trips with a lunch break is also an option
Vacationing in Uganda offers a rare and memorable opportunity to visit a Ramsar site and an Important Bird Area (IBA), the Mabamba Swamp. Accessing this swamp, named under an international treaty as an important wetlands conservation site, is possible by way of a road and boat trip from Entebbe or Kampala. As your expert guide will advise you, your boat excursion will give you plenty of daylight time to photograph some of the 300 amazing species that live around the swamp. While much of the avian life here consists of indigenous Ugandan species, the area also receives migratory birds. The most notable is, of course, the shoebill stork, clearly distinguished by its unique beak. Aside from a host of aquatic birds, you may also be able to spot sitatunga antelopes, otters, and bush pigs, to name a few.
Most birding tours in the Mabamba Swamp begin at eight in the morning and take, at a minimum, about two and a half hours to complete. Dressing in a long-sleeved shirt and full pants with a hat for sun protection is recommended, as is carrying water and a snack. You will travel by a small traditional boat along the papyrus-lined channels. Each boat carries a paddler, an expert guide, and around three other guests. Look out for gorgeous specimens such as the African common moorhen, intermediate egret, swamp flycatcher, banded martin, black-headed weaver, malachite kingfisher, and African jacana. Typically, you will have your choice of either a morning or afternoon tour at Mabamba Swamp. Avid birding enthusiasts can opt to take both, supplemented by a lunch break in the middle.
City Tours
UGANDA WILDLIFE EDUCATION CENTER
UWEC, popularly known as Entebbe zoo, is a popular spot for both local and international tourists.it is a gateway to Uganda’s popular national parks and has most of the animals in a semi-natural environment. Before you start your safari, its better to visit UWEC and be ushered into the wildlife story of Uganda, with major highlights for your Ugandan safari already noted down in your visitation list.
The major activities done at UWEC include the following;
- General wildlife viewing
- Behind the scenes conservation program
- Keeper of the day
- Chimpanzee feeding
You need atleast 4 hours to have an alround tour of UWEC, not forgetting that it’s the gateway to (Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary), so you can as well combine the UWEC visit with our (1 day trip to Ngamba Chimpanzee sanctuary).
Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Activities:
- Chimps Feeding
- Birding
- Boat cruise
- Chimp stories
Located in the heart of lake Victoria, Ngamba was established by the Elizabeth Goodall institute and is home to over 40 orphaned chimpanzees. Erika Safaris offers exclusive boat excursions to visit this magnificent island.
You will view either the morning or the afternoon feeding of the chimpanzees from the visitors’ platform. The island covers 100 acres located 23 kilometres south east of Entebbe mainland.
Apart from chimpanzee habituation and feeding, in calm weather, the island provides a pristine area for swimming, kayaking, fishing and other water sports. The island supports a rich diversity of wildlife with about 130 bird species, a number of hippos, and monitor lizard.
Best Time to Visit
Best Time, Seasons & Months To Go On Tour In Entebbe?
If you are thinking of visiting Uganda for the sole purpose of enjoying a slice of beachside barefoot adventures in Entebbe, your best time and choice is the dry-season months of January, February, July and August. The lakeside rural city has a milder climate than the rest of the country during this time, thanks to the moderating influence of Lake Victoria. No matter which dry-season month you choose for your travel, you can look forward to warm temperatures, gentle breezes from the lake, and clear sunny skies; it’s the perfect combination for lazy naps on the beach in the shade of a palm tree, being regaled by songs from the brightly colored birds indigenous to the region.
In Entebbe (where to stay & best places), you can expect daytime highs between 25 C and 27 C (77 F to 81 F) and nighttime lows from 16 C to 18 C (61 F to 64 F). In other words: perfect vacation weather that’s not too warm and not too cool. As in the rest of Africa, you can also expect two wet seasons: the first rains that fall during the months of March, April, and May, and the second rains that fall from October through to November. Expect some showers as the wet season ends around late June and mid-December and when the dry season ends around mid-September. Even during the wet seasons there are spells when the sun shines brightly and the skies are clear. It may also rain in certain pockets, leaving other areas dry.
Different Monthly Seasons At Entebbe - Dry, Hot, Wet Rainy & Cool
- Dry Months, Best Time & High-Peak Season For Entebbe: January, February, July and August are the driest and warmest months, and also July and August being the peak season of travel in Uganda. Expect fewer tourists in the high season months of January and February compared to the peak season months.
- Dry & Wet Rainy Months, Very Good Time & High Season For Entebbe: June, September and mid-December onwards offer mostly dry periods with intermittent showers. The end of December has higher numbers of visitors especially families visiting Entebbe due to the festive holiday season of Christmas and New Year eve, and schools being closed.
- Wet Rainy Months, Good Time & Mid-Peak Season For Entebbe: March, October and November offer a mixture of dry and wet periods.
- Wet Rainy Season, Least Best Time & Low Season For Entebbe: April and May. These months are also part of the lush green season in Uganda, and have the least number of visitors due to limited land and water based activities around Entebbe. Some roads with limited drainage in Entebbe do get flooded.
- Hot & Cool Months: There is only 1-3 Celsius degrees variation in temperature in between months at Entebbe. January and February are the hottest months with highs of 27 C (81 F) during the day and lows of 18 C (64 F) at night while June, July and August are the coolest months with highs of 25ºC (77 F) during the day and lows of 16 C (61 F) at night. All other months have a range around 26 C (79 F) during the daytime while nighttime temperatures average around 17 C (62 F).
Visiting Entebbe During the Dry Seasons - Is It The Best Time To Go On Tour Based On Climate, Temperatures & Weather Conditions?
Entebbe’s second and best dry season of July and August coincides nicely with summer holiday in the northern regions of Europe and North America, making it the perfect time to tour the town on your family safari while school is out. In addition, the start of the first dry season, in the last two weeks of December and through January, offers a great window to enjoy some time in the sun during the festive holidays while the month of February allows you get away from the cold and dreary winter weeks in the northern hemisphere.
Wet Seasons In Entebbe & How To Plan Activities During The Rainy Period?
Those who prefer an adventure trip in one of Entebbe’s two wet seasons can look forward to lush, green environs that display a wide range of colors in the rains. The wet seasons are considered to be off-season, so some of the beachside hotels by Lake Victoria and safari accommodations around Uganda’s park do offer discounted room rates. The possible downside is choppy waters on Lake Victoria (meaning that fishing trips and boating excursions might best be unavailable on some days) and muddier trails in Entebbe Botanical Gardens and the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Center. Since Entebbe is in a tropical location, you may also encounter more bugs and mosquitoes during the wet seasons.
Other Considerations When Planning Your Tour Dates For Entebbe
Our guests planning to visit the Ssese Archipelago off Entebbe might find that accessing the islands takes longer in the wet season, as the waters of the lake are rough during certain times of the day. In addition, exploring the attractions and navigating the dirt tracks on Bulago Island takes a little longer than usual. Angling for the giant Nile perch, one of the enjoyable activities available to visitors on Lake Victoria, is best avoided in the April/May rainy season. When the water is choppy, fishing is usually best done in the sheltered bays where boat anchors are dropped. While these are typical climate patterns in Entebbe, please do remember that global climate change has sometimes produced unpredictable weather all over the African continent, so you may experience weather-related surprises no matter which time of the year you choose to visit on your safari vacation.
Hotel Number 5
A stylish Boutique Hotel nestled in the leafy suburbs of Entebbe, Uganda. Ideally located 10 minutes from Entebbe International Airport.From the moment you arrive, you are warmly welcomed and cared for. With all luxurious rooms opening onto the garden and swimming pool, this is a great option for guests looking for an intimate stay in a tranquil setting.
K Hotels
A fully furnished luxury hotel in the city of Entebbe a few minutes drive from the airportK HOTELS is newly opened intimate boutique hotel in Entebbe town, within close proximity of the Central Business District, with convenient access to all parts of the city.
The Boma Guest House
Set in tropical gardens in a leafy suburb, a few minutes drive from Entebbe International AirportThe Boma Hotel is Entebbe’s original and most exclusive hotel, set in tropical gardens in a leafy suburb, a few minutes drive from Entebbe International Airport.
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