Entebbe Wildlife Attractions and Tours
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Entebbe’s paid attractions fall into three groups: animal sanctuaries, a wetland outing and a garden. This page compares them side by side before going into detail.
| Attraction | Where | Best for | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| UWEC | Lugard Avenue, in town | Wildlife close up, short visits | Experiences booked ahead |
| Ngamba Island | About 23 km offshore | Chimpanzee feeding | Required in advance |
| Mabamba Bay | About an hour by road | Shoebill storks | Licensed guide required |
| Botanical Gardens | In town, on the shore | Monkeys and birds | Ask at the gate |
Animal sanctuaries
UWEC. The centre began as a wildlife reception centre in 1952 and has been run as a trust since 1994. It is open 08:30 to 18:30 daily. Exhibits group the animals as primates, carnivores, hoof stock, reptiles and birds. The official rates page lists the extras: VIP Exclusive Behind the Scenes with a meal and a drink costs USD 100 for non-residents, and the Junior Keeper for a Day (ages 6 to 16) costs USD 50. Foreign residents pay less on most items, and Ugandans pay in shillings.
Ngamba Island. Visitors reach this chimpanzee refuge by speedboat in about 45 minutes or in a traditional motorised canoe in about 90. Feeding times are 07:30, 11:00, 14:30 and 18:30. The island’s overnight lodge has tented cottages.
Wetland and garden
Mabamba Bay. Mabamba is the place to look for the shoebill stork. Because a licensed guide and a canoe are mandatory, there is no way to go alone. The total cost runs about USD 45 to 200 depending on group size and transport.
Botanical Gardens. Alexander Whyte planned the grounds in 1898. Ask at the gate for a site guide if you want help with birds. Fees and opening hours are reported differently by different sources, so confirm them locally. Monkeys are wild and should not be fed.
Reptiles at Bunono
Uganda Reptile Village at Bunono dates from about 2002 to 2003. Ask about opening hours and the entry fee before you set out.
Practical points
- UWEC takes cash or Visa, and parking costs UGX 2,000 a day.
- Children aged 3 to 14 pay a reduced UWEC fee.
- Health screening rules apply to the Chimp Close Up experience at UWEC.
Read more: Sightseeing in Entebbe , Family outings and the 2-day Uganda itinerary .
For other listed experiences, try Viator results for Entebbe .