Entebbe is a city built on the shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda and is approximately 37 kilometers southwest of the Ugandan capital Kampala, the town was once the seat of government for the colonial administration.
Local time: Tuesday 10:27 AM
Weather: 77°F (25°C), Wind SE at 7 mph (11 km/h), 69% Humidity
Understand
The city is the location of Uganda’s international airport. The drive to or from Kampala is about an hour. The United Nations uses Entebbe as a depot, logistics base and staging area for their vehicles and heavy equipment that are part of peace keeping and other missions in the central African region. Entebbe offers a relaxed stop-over alternative to Kampala on your way into or out of the country by airplane, as the air is clean, the streets are safe to walk, and the old colonial gardens and parks with the lake in the background make for a serene atmosphere.
Entebbe is perhaps most famous for an Israeli commando raid on July 4 1976, when over one hundred mainly Jewish hostages held on a hijacked Air France plane were rescued. The rescue was complicated by the fact that the then Ugandan president, Idi Amin, was supporting the hijackers. Over 40 Ugandan troops were killed by the Israelis during the rescue.
State House, the official residence of the President of Uganda, is on a hill overlooking the center of Entebbe.
Get in
Entebbe airport is Uganda’s major gateway and is served by several African and international airlines. As of 2018 there were daily flights from Addis Ababa with Ethiopian, from Cairo with Egyptair, from Dubai on Emirates, Fly Dubai, Eithad, from Istanbul with Turkish and from Johannesburg with South African. Brussels Airlines and KLM have several flights weekly. Kenya Airlines flies in more than once a day from Nairobi.
To get to Entebbe from the rest of Uganda will usually involve passing through Kampala. Small minibuses go to Entebbe from Kampala every 30 minutes or 1 hour. The fee is UGX3000 (USD1). The journey itself takes 45 minutes to 1 hour, much quicker when you avoid Kampala’s chaotic rush hours. You can take the minibus in the minibus station near to the Kampala central market, with signs of every destination served.
Get around
Boda-boda (Motorcycle Taxi) is the easiest choice to go around. As boda-boda accidents are one of the most common medical concerns in Uganda, hiring a taxi from a trusted source (decent hotel, friend, or colleague recommendation) may be wiser.
See
Uganda Wildlife Centre – If you are not having any safari planned, this might be your opportunity to catch a glimpse of Africa’s wildlife. The Uganda Wildlife Educational Center has a medium-size collection of wildlife saved from captivity, including lions, rhinos, zebras, crocs, giraffes, hyenas, chimpanzee and others. All animals are held in large, natural-like areas that gives a nice semi-authentic feeling. Admission for foreign adult is 30k Shillings (about $12) and you end up with 1.5-2 hours of good-old fun. TIP: The zoo opens daily in 9am and it is advised to come early before the animals go hiding in the shade from the midday’s sun.
The Botanical Gardens – while not spectacular, the gardens are of interest to botanists and bird-watchers. They host stands of large trees in a park like setting, an alleged filming site of a “Tarzan” movie, a troop of colombus and vervet monkeys, and various birds. As of 2005, the unofficial guides at the gardens were unusually aggressive for Uganda, and if you engage their services you should agree on a reasonable price beforehand.
Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Ngamba Island;- Situated on a small rain forested island a short boat ride from Entebbe, this sanctuary provides the perfect habitat for the rehabilitation of chimpanzees. Some of the rescued chimps are orphans and others were born into captivity without the required skills to make it on their own. The sanctuary staff care for the lovable apes and, in time, attempt to reintroduce them into wild populations. Day and overnight trips to this amazing experience can be organised. Just ask us about the options when booking your tour.
Uganda Reptile Village:-African rock python, three-horned chameleon, and forest cobra are just a few of the many species of the fascinating reptiles you can find at the Uganda Reptile Village on the edge of a village just north of Entebbe. Founded and run by a local boat captain with a vision, the “snake park” makes for a fun and educational visit.
Sunset Cruise on Lake Victoria;– Lake Victoria is one of the largest lakes in the world. Why not go on a late afternoon boat cruise among small islands on your way towards the equator line as you view the sun sink towards the horizon? Watch the fishermen cast their nets and enjoy the snacks and drinks provided on board.
Bird watching at Mabamba Papyrus Swamp area;- If you are an avid bird watcher and have a bit more time we can also incorporate a visit to the Mabamba papyrus swamp area – home to several pairs of the rare shoebill stork. As well as the possibility of seeing these elusive birds, there is an abundance of other water birds, wildlife such as otters and much more to view amongst the tranquil waters of this area.
Do
Boat trips on Lake Victoria. These include fishing trips and a visit to see the chimpanzees on Ngamba island. We can arrange such trips.
Buy
Fresh fruits and wonderful, sweet smelling, black German bread at the authentic, if somewhat cheesy, bakery that opened its doors on the lakeside in early 2008. A popular retreat for all tourists and not simply Germans, Cafe Bavariana offers excellent pastries and proper mircofoam cappucinos and other espresso based coffees. They are particularly proud of the organic, free-trade, coffee that they procure from the gorilla-clad slopes near the Rwandan border. Open six days a week, Monday to Saturday, from 7.30am until 10pm.
Shopping
Kitoro Market
Kitoro Market is a bazaar in Entebbe that sells grocieries, women’s clothing and vegetables. Tuesday is the market’s busiest day and the majority of the vendors are open. Kitoro is famous among tourists for being the market people go when they want to experience Ugandan culture first-hand. A shopper entering the market can start by picking up a cup of coffee from one of the stands for energy. While drinking the coffee, the shopper can tour the stalls. The shopper can see batik wall hangings, cultural dresses, carved wooden animals and vegetables. If the tourist is on a limited budget and if their hotel allows cooking, he or she can save money cooking food from the Kitoro Market.
Victoria Mall, Berkley Road
Love it or loathe it, mall culture has well and truly arrived in Uganda, with this shiny new complex opening in 2013. As well as eateries and shops, there’s a Nakumatt supermarket that comes in handy for groceries as well as camping equipment.
Eat
4 Points, Kampala Road, (By the airport and Pearls supermarket). Great Indian food, good atmosphere cheap beer. Has a bar with a pool table, and expats are welcome. Mid.
The Gately, Kampala Road. Thai inspired menu. Open for breakfast, and is the only “English” breakfast other then the Boma (need reservations. Friendly atmosphere and warm, oddly quick, service.
Goretties Pizza, Lake Victoria. A good pizza by the lake. Service is VERY slow, so plan on having a few drinks. Beautiful scenery, sand in your toes kind of place. Don’t go around dusk unless you don’t mind being eaten while you eat.
Nickey’s Pizza, Kampala Road (Beside the mosque). Wood fired, clay oven pizza. Indoor and outdoor seating. Slot machines and a pool table. Good service and good pizza.
Faze 3. New place in town. Great Deck, overlooks the lake. Good assortment of western and Indian foods. Try the daily pot pie. Great coffee end excellent fruit shakes!
Victoria Mall, Kampala Road has various food courts from where you can buy different foods to suit your taste
Ciao Bella:- Italian owned restaurant for authentic pizzas in an open-air African hut set in the garden. Does home delivery.
Anna’s Corner:- 1 Station Rd, Entebbe. This Italian-run garden cafe has the best coffee in town. Its woodfired pizzas also hit the spot, while proceeds from home-baked cakes go to a local orphanage. There’s also a Congolese craft store, Friday movie nights, Tuesday salsa lessons, coffee tasting and a farmers market on the last Sunday of the month. Location
Prices: coffee USh5000, pizzas USh14,000-20,000. Opening hours 8am-10pm
Nightlife and Entertainment in Entebbe
Party goers will surely experience a great Entebbe nightlife, with a wild selection of bars and clubs in the city. Night entertainment in Entebbe, Uganda is always at its peak to please tourists and vacationers from all over the world.
If you are in to a fun-packed night, be sure to check out these night clubs and party houses in Entebbe that will give you exactly what you want.
4 Turkeys: Locals and vacationers alike regard 4 Turkeys as the best party hub in the city. You will always find this place packed with party goers amid the cool lights and the hip music. There are times that the place is so full, you might see some people partying outside the club, and they don’t mind at all. The party events in
4 Turkeys usually start around 11:00 p.m. The most celebrated DJs in the city are regulars in this club. It houses a great bar and a vast dance floor that lets you show your dancing skills in the beat of hip-hop and house music. They also offer good food like their famous burgers and cocktails.
Club Night Riders, Kampala Road. Opening hours: 9pm-late Wed & Fri-Sun. The place to kick on to once you’re ready to hit the dance floor.
Red Rooster: Another place to visit come night time is the Red Rooster. Though not as packed as the other 2 bars, the Red Rooster is perfect for party-going sports enthusiasts. The place prides itself for the sports-themed interiors and 4 large flats screen that plays the hottest sports games. Patrons enjoy watching these games with cold mugs of beer in the midst of fellow sports fans.
Club X5:-The chic glamour of Club X5 is perfect for those who are in for classy entertainment. This super club features a pristine interior that will give you a serene yet energizing ambience. Guests usually gather in here during Saturday nights. You and your friends will surely enjoy the cool music, the good food and the crowd in Club X5.
So, if you are looking for the best place for your Entebbe nightlife, these are some of your options around the city that never fail to meet party standards
Beaches
Entebbe has several inviting beaches on the shores of Lake Victoria, most with white powdery sand. All are part of resorts comprising hotels, restaurants and bars, and get very crowded at weekends, but are nearly empty on weekdays. The most popular are Imperial Resort Beach Hotel, Spinah Beach, Banga Beach and Lido Beach . Like elsewhere in Lake Victoria, swimming is a no-no due to risks of bilharzia. Those wanting to swim can try the swimming pool at Lake Victoria Hotel, with a diving platform, deckchairs and bar.