Entebbe

Entebbe Town, where the only International Airport (EBB) in Uganda sits, is your entry point into Uganda with the destination's introductory attractions. It is a town on a peninsula on Lake Victoria, in Central Uganda. Its main attractions include busy Beaches on the largest lake in Africa (Lake Victoria), Golf Course, Shopping Malls, Botanical Gardens, Islands, and the Zoo. The lakeside Uganda Wildlife Education Centre protects native animals in wetland, forest, and savanna habitats. Nearby, Entebbe Botanical Garden has diverse plants, birds, and monkeys. Also close by is the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which protects orphaned chimps.

Entebbe is the prettiest and most charming town of Lake Victoria. It is like a summer lake resort where no more business is undertaken than is absolutely necessary. The town spreads in a passive, careless way over a low down which slopes, in an equally easy fashion, to the lake. Its houses are more or less lost among the trees, for a great part of Entebbe is heavily wooded. Entebbe is even more attractive when seen close at hand than when viewed from afar. It is a picnic-suggesting haven amid a well-timbered botanical gardens park, the grass of which comes down to the water’s edge.

On reaching the high ground, Entebbe sits on a peninsula and is nearly surrounded by Lake Victoria’s waters. You can see a glimpse of Lake Victoria through a gap in trees or palisade of palm trunks from every point.

The view from the height upon which the State-House stands is unequaled for charm. It shows a broad arm of the sea, alive with islands, stretching inland to be lost among the tree-covered hills. It is a flood of blue water pouring eagerly into the great green forest. Its shores are marked by capes of palms, by creeks full of violet mist, and by gracious sand-rimmed bays of indescribable enchantment.

Sprawling along the Lake Victoria shore, some 35km south of Kampala, Entebbe exudes a tropical languor atmosphere. And particularly for those with a strong interest in natural history (and who aren’t looking for budget accommodation), it makes for an altogether more appealing introduction to Uganda than the capital, Kampala.

And even if you stay in Kampala, this pretty lakeshore town is worth a visit if only for its wonderful botanical garden, which is teeming with birds and practically guarantees close-up views of black-and-white colobus monkeys. Ngamba Chimpanzee Island on Lake Victoria, Mabamba Swamps, Ssese (Kalangala) Islands, and UWEC Zoo makes a great introduction to Uganda’s top attractions.

Spend a day or two in Entebbe before/after your countryside journey. There’s accommodation to cater to all travel styles. From budget hostels to upmarket luxury hotels, restaurants, and bars, Entebbe cuts off the crowded and noisy Kampala experience.

Once the capital city of Uganda, the charming, verdant town of Entebbe offers visitors a relaxed atmosphere and glorious natural attractions. Situated on a peninsula of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, visitors can experience a variety of lake activities including taking a romantic sunset cruise, exploring the Ssese Islands, fishing for Nile perch, or swimming along the sandy shores.

There is also fantastic flora and fauna to be enjoyed at the spectacular Botanical Gardens, the Ngamba Chimpanzee Island and the Zika Forest. With its bustling markets, relaxed beaches and friendly people, Entebbe offers the perfect introduction to Uganda.