On Foot in Entebbe: Gardens and Lakeshore
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Is there a walking tour in Entebbe? Not in the sense of a company with daily departures. No operator runs a regular or free walking tour, so walking here means doing it yourself. The upside is a compact town where a loop of about two hours is easy to plan.
The loop
- Botanical Gardens. Begin here early. The gardens go back to 1898, and the paths wind under old trees. Colobus monkeys and hornbills are the animals to spot. After rain the paths turn muddy, and fees and opening hours should be confirmed on arrival.
- Lakeside lawns. The grass beside the shore is a good place for a rest and a look across the water.
- Lugard Avenue and Portal Road. This area was the colonial administrative core. Expect tree-lined streets and older buildings. UWEC is on Lugard Avenue, Plot 56/57, and is open from 08:30 to 18:30 if you want to add a visit.
- Lunch on the shore. End at a lakeside restaurant and watch the boats.
Exact distances depend on the streets you take, so use a map app and set your own pace.
Finding a guide
The simplest route is to ask for a site guide at the botanical gardens entrance, or to ask your hotel about local guides. For walks beyond the gardens, a guide who knows the town is worth having.
A fishing village on foot
Kigungu is a working fishing village. A monument and chapel there mark the landing of Father Simeon Lourdel and Brother Amans in 1879, so visit quietly and with a local guide if possible.
Walking safely
| Risk | What to do |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles | Keep bags and phones on the side away from the road |
| Restricted sites | Never photograph State House or military sites, and avoid photography near the airport |
| Wild monkeys | Keep food packed away and never feed them |
| Lake | Stay on the path; no wading, because of bilharzia, hippos and crocodiles |
| Weather | Pack rain cover, as the rains run March to May and October to November |
Longer walks
Bigger hikes belong to other parts of Uganda. Entebbe’s strength is a gentle stroll. The UWEC site has details if you want to combine a walk with the wildlife centre.
Read more: Sightseeing , Day trips and the 2-day Uganda itinerary .
If you want a guided outing instead, browse GetYourGuide results for Entebbe walks .