On the shores of gorgeous Lake Victoria, Entebbe is an attractive, verdant town that served as the capital city during the early years of the British protectorate. Today it’s the relaxed pace of life and nearby natural attractions that give the city its charm rather than any notable colonial relics.Unless you have reason to rush into Kampala, Entebbe makes a nice, chilled-out introduction to Uganda, and many visitors prefer to base themselves here for a few days rather than in Kampala’s traffic-choked streets.

What to do in Entebbe for 24h to 48h? 

Places of Interest

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

This sanctuary in Lake Victoria is home to around 50 orphaned chimps that have been rescued from elsewhere in Uganda and are being rehabilitated as much as possible on this thickly forested island. Day trips to see the residents are superb. Plan ahead and you can join the overnight experience and a forest-walk with the chimps, who’ll climb all over you. It’s a 50-/90-minute speedboat/motorised canoe ride from Entebbe to get here.

Entebbe Botanical Gardens

Laid out in 1898, these expansive gardens are perfect for a leisurely stroll. The highlights are its pockets of thick rainforest, which locals claim some of the original Tarzan films were made in, and excellent birdwatching with 115 species (USh10,000 per guide). You’ll see plenty of monkeys, including black and white colobus, and tree squirrels too.

Uganda Reptiles Village

Get up close to some of the world’s deadliest snakes, including cobras and vipers, as well as chameleons, crocs and lizards, all which are rescued or injured. It’s around 3km off the Entebbe–Kampala road, about a 20-minute drive from Entebbe.

Where to Eat?

Anna’s Corner

This wonderful expat institution has recently moved location but is going from strength to strength. Its woodfired pizzas and coffee are the best in town, while proceeds from its home-baked cakes go to a local orphanage. There’s also a Congolese craft store, Friday movie nights, Tuesday salsa lessons, regular coffee tasting and a farmers market one Sunday a month.

Faze 3

Close to the airport, Faze 3 is widely regarded as the best place to eat in Entebbe. Its outdoor decking is a top spot to catch lake breezes while feasting on anything from roast pork, tilapia tikka, chicken schinztel burger or a good ol’ meat pie.

Goretti’s Beachside Pizzeria and Grill

What could be better than eating a wood-fired pizza on the beach with Lake Victoria lapping at your feet? Not much, actually, and it’s the reason why Goretti’s is such a consistent favourite with locals and visitors alike.

Gately Inn Entebbe

This open-air restaurant surrounded by a wonderful African garden serves healthy salads, pita wraps and meze plates, as well as not-so-healthy peanut-butter smoothies and three-cheese schnitzel.

Imperial Resort Beach Hotel

Good place for fish and chips on the beach (but watch out for scavenging maribou stork), or a choice of meat dishes or pizza. Alternatively there are garden tables, or those with jetlag can hit the 24-hour restaurant inside the hotel.

Where to Shop?

Victoria mall

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.

Nightlife in Entebbe!

O’s Bar

Across from the golf course this is the latest happening bar with outdoor decking, indoor lounge and sports on the tv.

Four Turkeys