In the event you’re heading to Uganda, there’s a excessive chance you’ll fly into the worldwide airport in Entebbe. While many guests head straight out on a safari or gorilla trek, we expect there are many issues to do in Entebbe to make it price spending at the least a day or two of your journey.
We’ve spent quite a lot of days exploring the points of interest of the Entebbe space, and we’ve put collectively this information that will help you plan what to see and do right here.
Entebbe was the previous seat of presidency, however after independence this moved to close by Kampala. Entebbe itself is pretty unfold out with few tall buildings, and has fairly a tropical laid-back model. It’s exhausting to think about it was the seat of presidency, particularly if you evaluate it to Kampala with its tall buildings and loopy visitors!
Whether or not you’re right here for a brief keep while ready for a safari to begin or a flight to depart, or you will have a couple of days to discover, this information provides you with a number of concepts for issues to do in Entebbe.
From seeing chimpanzees to attempting conventional meals to buying regionally made souvenirs, Entebbe has one thing for everybody! Let’s get began.
14 Issues to do in Entebbe
This record of issues to do in Entebbe covers all kinds of choices. No matter your pursuits, we expect you’ll discover one thing to get pleasure from on this nook of Uganda.
Take a Strolling Tour
A good way to get an outline of Entebbe is to take a regionally led strolling tour like this. We love taking strolling excursions, particularly once we are new to an space. We discover they’re among the best methods to see the highlights, study concerning the tradition and historical past, and get suggestions from locals on different actions.
We took a tour of Kampala with the corporate that runs the Entebbe tour, and it was glorious. Our information was educated concerning the space and historical past of the nation, and was additionally in a position to advise on issues like security, what to eat, and extra.
Most strolling excursions of Entebbe will seemingly embrace issues like attempting the native meals, seeing native monuments, visiting the Botanical Gardens, and visiting the craft market. Simply verify what’s and isn’t included within the tour value, and keep in mind that tipping is all the time appreciated in Uganda.
Go to the Botanical Backyard
One of the vital well-known points of interest in Entebbe is the Nationwide Botanical Gardens of Uganda, usually simply known as the Entebbe Botanical Backyard. That is typically included on guests’ safari itineraries as a result of it is a superb strategy to get an introduction to among the crops and birds of Uganda.
Discovered on the shores of Lake Victoria, the Entebbe Botanical Gardens was established in 1898. They’re one of many oldest botanical gardens in Africa. The gardens are divided into quite a lot of areas which function crops and timber from completely different areas of Uganda, in addition to different tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate areas around the globe. Over 300 species are represented.
In addition to the spectacular assortment of timber and crops, the backyard is effectively generally known as location for birdwatching. Among the species chances are you’ll spot right here embrace the massive marabou stork, the palm-nut vulture, the African gray parrot, pink-backed pelican, yellow-billed duck, malachite kingfisher, and lots of extra.
Chicken lovers will certainly wish to embrace the Botanical Backyard on their record of locations to go to in Entebbe.
It’s additionally dwelling to quite a lot of monkeys, together with the gorgeous black and white Colobus monkey which you’ll be fortunate sufficient to identify. However you might be fairly certain to see vervet monkeys as there are a variety of them right here.
There’s an entrance charge to go to the Entebbe Botanical Backyard, and you too can pay further for a neighborhood information. You’ll be able to rent a information on the backyard entrance, or be a part of a tour resembling this metropolis strolling tour or this full day tour that features a guided go to right here.
There may be little or no signage right here so a information is an efficient funding if you wish to study extra concerning the native timber and wildlife.
Go to the Seaside
Entebbe sits on the shores of Lake Victoria, and there are a variety of stretches of seashore that may be discovered all alongside the lake. Among the small seashore areas are sandy, some rocky. These seashore areas could be discovered all alongside the lake entrance, from the airport space, to the Botanical Backyard and past.
Just a few issues to notice. Among the seashores are a part of lodge or restaurant property, and so are solely accessible to prospects. The various lake ranges can have an effect on how a lot seashore (if any) is accessible. In recent times, rising water ranges within the lake and erosion has prompted lots of the former seashore areas to turn into inaccessible. Lastly, there’s a threat of bilharzia (schistosomiasis), so many individuals advise towards swimming within the lake.
Though we haven’t swam right here, we get pleasure from strolling alongside the shoreside, sitting on the seashores, and watching the birds. Maribou storks, little egrets, cattle egrets, and pied kingfisher are frequent birds you’ll see alongside the shore. You too can get out on the lake by taking a ship tour.
In the event you like aviation, chances are you’ll wish to head over to Aero Seaside the place you’ll discover a small assortment of outdated airplanes and aviation tools (entrance charge to go to) subsequent to the seashore space in addition to a restaurant and bar.
Our advice is to benefit from the seashore views from a pleasant beachfront restaurant or bar, and benefit from the cool breeze coming over the lake as you sip a neighborhood beer or recent glass of fruit juice. For instance, we frequently eat on the shoreside restaurant of the 2Friends Seaside Lodge.
See the Monuments and Historic Websites
Entebbe was the seat of presidency and administrative hub till Uganda gained independence in 1962 and Kampala grew to become the capital. However Entebbe is dwelling to Uganda’s State Home, which is at the moment the official dwelling and workplace of the President.
The State Home and lots of the former colonial administrative buildings are usually not open to the general public. Nonetheless, you’ll undoubtedly see a few of these colonial-era buildings as you discover Entebbe.
The primary historic website to go to is Muzinga Sq. Park, the place you’ll discover a couple of vital monuments and memorials.
These embrace:
- A cannon in Muzinga Sq. Park, which was left by Tanzanian troops as a part of the battle to overthrow Idi Amin. Two statues of troopers have been added subsequent to the cannon.
- The Independence Tree, or Freedom Tree, the place conferences had been held through the motion to realize independence from British rule.
It’s price noting that relying on if you go to Entebbe, entry to numerous monuments could also be restricted or chances are you’ll be requested by guards to not take pictures. That is seemingly because of the close to proximity of those areas to State Home.
Word that though Entebbe might be finest recognized worldwide for being the placement of the 1976 airplane hijacking and subsequent profitable hostage rescue scenario, generally known as Operation Entebbe or Operation Thunderbolt, there may be not a lot data on show about this. There was information {that a} museum was deliberate to open in 2007 on the Outdated Entebbe Airport, the place the incident came about, however we couldn’t discover any present details about any museums. There are a variety of books and movies about this occasion.
Town additionally has quite a lot of historic church buildings, each Catholic and Anglican. Some date again to colonial instances. The Bugonga Catholic Church in Entebbe dates from 1902, making it the earliest everlasting Catholic church in Uganda. St. John’s Church historical past dates again to 1908 with the present Anglican church buildings relationship again to the Thirties with a brand new constructing additionally being constructed right here.
These of you curious about non secular historical past may also wish to go to the Kigungu Missionary Touchdown website, the place the primary Catholic Missionaries, Brother Amans and Father Mon Maple Lourdel, arrived in Uganda.
Right here there’s a plaque, monument, and statues of the 2 missionaries. It’s a preferred place of pilgrimage. That is positioned simply exterior Entebbe so you will want transport to go to. This full day tour of Entebbe and the encircling space at the moment features a cease and go to to the Kigungu touchdown website.
If you’re fascinated with delving into the historical past of Entebbe, we’d counsel contemplating hiring a neighborhood information or becoming a member of a tour.
Play a Spherical of Golf
Golf lovers will certainly wish to embrace a go to to Entebbe Golf Membership as a part of their journey to Uganda. Based in 1901, that is the oldest golf course in East Africa.
Right here amongst the tall pines, you’ll discover a Par 71 18-hole golf course. The course is open to non-members, and you may see the charges for a spherical and e-book on the official web site right here.
In the event you’d slightly watch golf than play, the golf membership additionally hosts tournaments year-round, which you’ll see on their web site.
In the event you’re on the lookout for someplace to remain close to the golf course, the 4* Lake Victoria Lodge is an efficient possibility. It’s a colonial-era lodge with views of Lake Victoria, simply 10 minutes’ stroll from the golf course.
Go to Chimpanzees
Many individuals coming to Uganda hope to see chimpanzees within the wild, usually as a part of a chimpanzee trekking expertise. Nonetheless, if you’re solely in Uganda for a quick time period, it isn’t all the time sensible to do a trek as there are not any trekking areas inside a brief drive of Entebbe or Kampala.
The excellent news nevertheless is that you simply don’t have to do a full chimpanzee trekking expertise to see chimpanzees in Uganda. You’ll be able to as an alternative choose to go to the chimpanzees on the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Ngamba island is present in Lake Victoria, and is dwelling to quite a lot of orphaned chimpanzees. The island additionally has quite a lot of different native fowl and wildlife species. A go to presents assured chimpanzee viewing and the chance to study all about chimpanzees. It additionally avoids the necessity for a trek. There are additionally no age restrictions right here, so it’s good if you’re visiting Uganda with youthful kids, as they received’t be allowed on a chimpanzee trek.
Ngamba island could be reached by boat (by both motorized canoe or speedboat) from Entebbe, and there are numerous journeys out there. You’ll be able to go for a half day or full day, in addition to keep in a single day on the island you probably have extra time.
If you want to go to, it’s essential to have your Ngamba Island tickets booked prematurely earlier than heading to the island. You’ll be able to see extra on the official web site right here.
Word that you simply can’t deliver your personal meals or drinks onto the island however there are meals choices out there on the island.
In Entebbe, you too can see chimpanzees on the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Schooling Centre, which we are going to cowl later on this article.
Eat a Rolex
Uganda has a whole lot of scrumptious meals to strive, however maybe probably the most well-known and standard avenue meals that guests should style is a rolex.
Regardless of the identify, this meals has nothing to do with the watch of the identical identify. The identify comes from the preparation. It’s created by combining an egg omelette (usually with sliced greens) on prime of a fried chapati, after which rolling it up. The result’s “rolled eggs”, which has been shorted to “rolex”.
You might discover a Rolex on the menu at your lodge or guesthouse, or as a part of a packed breakfast. Nonetheless, we extremely suggest discovering a stall promoting rolex and shopping for them recent. They style quite a bit higher when eaten scorching and proper from the pan!
In Entebbe, you will get a rolex from the road distributors on Nsamizi Highway. In the event you take this guided tour, you’ll go to a rolex stand and see how they’re made, with the choice to purchase one. They’re an affordable and scrumptious snack meals, and one you need to strive when in Uganda.
By way of avenue meals, one other standard dish is kikomando. That is an affordable dish manufactured from sliced chapati and fried beans. It could additionally include extra toppings resembling gravy, meat, or avocado.
Whereas in Entebbe, we additionally suggest you strive the native fish and seafood from Lake Victoria. You’ll discover native perch and tilapia on a number of native restaurant menus. If you’re self-catering, you should buy your personal recent seafood from the little roadside fish markets.
Go to the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Schooling Centre
The Uganda Wildlife Conservation Schooling Centre, additionally also known as Entebbe Zoo, is a 72-acre Zoo which is dwelling to over 250 animals. These embrace chimpanzees, giraffes, lions, and rhinos, in addition to the uncommon and distinctive wanting shoebill stork.
Many of those animals have been rescued from poaching or unlawful trafficking, and the centre focuses on care and rehabilitation of those animals. They’ve a robust deal with offering as pure an atmosphere as potential, with bigger enclosures that mimic the animal’s pure habitats the place potential.
After all, in a great world you’ll want to head out on safari in Uganda to see a few of these animals within the wild, however the conservation middle is definitely possibility you probably have restricted time and would love a extra assured viewing expertise.
There’s a charge for visiting the Zoo, and you may see extra on the official web site right here. You are able to do the usual admission, or you possibly can pay further for a behind the scenes tour or Keeper for a Day tour. The latter present a way more immersive hands-on expertise the place you possibly can study much more concerning the centre and its work, and is certainly price contemplating you probably have the time and price range.
You’ll be able to go to the centre by yourself, and it’s additionally included on this full day tour of Entebbe.
Take a Boat Tour / Go Fishing on Lake Victoria
Entebbe sits proper on Lake Victoria, one of many African Nice Lakes. That is the world’s largest tropical lake, and the most important lake in Africa by space. Lake Victoria spans throughout three nations: Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. The lake has many native names, however the English identify comes from the British explorer John Hanning Speke who named it after Queen Victoria.
The lake gives the livelihood for a lot of locals, primarily by means of fishing. A lot of the fish you might be prone to eat in Uganda is both going to return from Lake Victoria, or the Nile River which flows out and in of it.
As a customer, you too can get pleasure from a while on the lake. In style actions embrace taking a ship tour, which afford wildlife watching alternatives or the possibility to look at the sundown. You too can take a fishing tour on the lake.
Ask regionally at your lodge, they need to be capable to provide you with some tour choices. The vacationer boats will often cease at a number of factors to choose up individuals and your lodge may help you organize it.
Discover Native Markets
In the event you get pleasure from shopping native markets if you go to a vacation spot, then you’ll undoubtedly get pleasure from Entebbe. The city has quite a lot of common indoor and outside markets, which supply quite a lot of completely different produce.
One standard market is Kitooro Market. It is a giant coated market space with many native distributors promoting primarily recent produce, meat, and groceries. It underwent important renovation, and re-opened in 2021 in a brand new construction. You’ll additionally typically discover distributors within the streets exterior the market constructing itself. It’s usually open day by day.
There are additionally commonly different markets in Entebbe, together with varied avenue markets on various days. For instance there’s a Saturday market on the Works Sports activities Floor. This market sells a little bit of every thing together with clothes, meals, dwelling furnishings, and so forth.
The Entebbe Farmer’s Market is held on the primary Sunday of each month at Muti’s Backyard Cafe, and it options all types of meals and craft objects from native growers and creators.
Store for Souvenirs on the Craft Village
The Entebbe Juakali Centre, higher generally known as the Entebbe Crafts Village, is positioned virtually instantly reverse Victoria Mall, and is an efficient place for memento procuring. There are a variety of stalls right here providing quite a lot of objects, together with souvenirs, crafts, jewelry, artwork, clothes, sculptures, tableware, scarfs, and baggage.
There are fairly a couple of stalls right here and the choices do range by stall, so do browse a bit. Pricing isn’t mounted and haggling is anticipated, though we discovered the preliminary costs had been comparatively affordable once we visited.
We visited right here after stopping at Victoria Mall, you possibly can simply stroll throughout the road. We purchased a couple of issues right here. This was really the one craft market that we visited throughout our time in Uganda.
The stallholders, virtually all ladies, had been very pleasant and well mannered and we loved shopping the stalls, even when it was pouring with rain once we visited!
Go to Victoria Mall
Though probably not a vacationer attraction, Victoria Mall is a well-liked vacationer cease. Opened in 2013, this shopping center is an efficient place to cease if it’s essential to purchase something to your Uganda journey.
The shopping center features a good-sized grocery store, a number of outlets promoting clothes, sneakers, outside gear, and presents, a restaurant, a fast-food restaurant, a pharmacy, a watch clinic, and a cinema. There may be an ATM, a spot to purchase SIM playing cards (Airtel), and a Foreign exchange cash alternate workplace.
It’s an ideal place to choose up groceries or snacks, get a SIM card, get cash, alternate forex, or purchase any last-minute wanted clothes, mountain climbing, or tenting stuff. The shopping center has good safety, and you may go to on foot or park on website.
We visited and purchased a couple of souvenirs from a small craft store, in addition to some toiletries and snacks from the grocery store.
The lodge, the Greatest Western Premier Backyard Lodge, is related to the procuring middle. Friends have direct entry to Victoria Mall so it’s a helpful place to remain for individuals who plan to go to the mall and craft market.
Take a Day Journey to Kampala
If you’re in Entebbe for a couple of days, you need to undoubtedly contemplate taking a day journey to Kampala. Kampala is the capital metropolis of Uganda, and there’s quite a bit to see right here. Due to the specific freeway that opened in 2018 (requires tolls), it’s now solely round a 30-minute drive from Entebbe to Kampala, though visitors in Kampala itself could be very gradual.
We’ve spent a while exploring the highlights of town, each on our personal and as a part of a guided strolling tour. We will extremely suggest a guided strolling tour because it was a great way to study concerning the historical past and tradition of town, in addition to get suggestions from a neighborhood on security.
We additionally visited different locations on our personal, utilizing a trip sharing app to get round. We extremely suggest contemplating placing the Kasubi Royal Tombs, Uganda Museum, the Baha’i Temple, Gaddafi Mosque, and Kabaka’s Palace (Mengo Palace) in your itinerary.
You’ll be able to undoubtedly go to all these areas by yourself but it surely does require some coordinating as websites are unfold out. If you’re visiting Uganda as a part of a safari, you may additionally be capable to get your safari firm to incorporate a tour of Kampala’s highlights on the itinerary as effectively. It’s additionally potential to e-book a tour like this which visits each Kamapala and Entebbe.
Social gathering on the Night time Golf equipment
If you wish to have some late-night enjoyable, Entebbe has a number of late-night bars and night time golf equipment the place you possibly can dance the night time away.
The Road Membership Entebbe is a well-liked possibility. It is a restaurant and lounge by day and an evening membership by night time. Another choice is the Knight Riders Discotheque
If you’re planning on going out at night time, do learn our recommendations on security in Entebbe and plan your transport prematurely.
Excursions from Entebbe
There are a variety of standard excursions you could take from Entebbe, together with day excursions of native points of interest in addition to longer multi-day safari excursions that cowl extra of Uganda.
The most well-liked day journeys are going to be to Kampala, Mabama Swamp, and Jinja. The closest nationwide park for wildlife viewing goes to be Lake Mburo. However you too can be a part of quite a lot of multi-day safari excursions from Entebbe that embrace issues like safari sport drives, village visits, chimpanzee trekking, and gorilla trekking.
Listed here are some choices to contemplate.
- This full day tour contains the highlights of Entebbe in addition to a visit to the Mabamba swamp the place you will have an opportunity to see the elusive and odd-looking shoebill stork
- If you’re primarily targeted on fowl watching, then contemplate reserving a tour with Mabamba Shoebill Excursions. They run a half-day tour to the swamp from Entebbe, together with a ship trip, which supplies the chance to see quite a lot of uncommon birds together with the shoebill stork.
- Birders may also contemplate this 2 day tour, which incorporates each Mabamba Swamp and the Entebbe Botanic Gardens.
- If you’re on a brief journey to Uganda, maybe for enterprise, and actually wish to expertise a safari sport drive, you are able to do so with a day journey to Lake Mburo Nationwide Park from Entebbe. This may contain a whole lot of driving, however it’s an possibility you probably have restricted time.
- If you want to go to the highlights of Entebbe and Kampala, try this two-day tour which does simply that.
- In search of a extra adventurous tour? Take a look at this two-day journey to Jinja which has horse-riding, quad biking, and white water rafting in addition to a strolling tour of Jinja itself
- There are additionally many multi-day safari targeted excursions from Entebbe, together with excursions which function chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking. You’ll be able to see among the finest choices on GetYourGuide right here and Viator right here.
The place to Keep in Entebbe
There are a variety of lodging choices in Entebbe throughout a variety of value factors. We suggest the next as a place to begin/
- 2Friends Seaside Lodge – it is a good worth possibility positioned by the shores of Lake Victoria and 10 minutes drive from the airport. The lodge has comfy air-conditioned rooms, some with lake views, all with personal loos. There’s an on-site restaurant and seashore bar, small outside swimming pool, and the workers are very pleasant. That is the place we now have chosen to remain on each of our visits to Entebbe.
- Papyrus Visitor Home – it is a good worth possibility providing peaceable lodging slightly method from the centre of Entebbe. If you’re on the lookout for extra of a conventional visitor home feeling, it is a good possibility to contemplate. Rooms are all en-suite and there may be an on-site restaurant for meals. Simply notice rooms have followers slightly than air-conditioning.
- Greatest Western Premier Backyard Lodge – conveniently positioned proper subsequent to Victoria Mall, this 4 star lodge can also be near many different points of interest in Entebbe together with the Botanic Gardens. All of the rooms are air-conditioned with en-suite amenities.
- Imperial Botanical Seaside Lodge – this lodge is positioned subsequent to the shore and has a wonderful location subsequent to each the Botanical Backyard and Wildlife Centre. It additionally has its personal seashore entry. En-suite rooms are air-conditioned and there’s an on-site restaurant.
- Lake Victoria Lodge – this colonial period lodge was initially designed because the leisure centre for the Governor of Uganda. It’s conveniently positioned for each Entebbe Golf Membership and Entebbe Cricket Floor. It presents 4* lodging with a pool and restaurant.
- The Boma Lodge – this luxury boutique lodge is present in a Nineteen Forties period dwelling and presents personal en-suite lodging with air-con. There’s an on-site restaurant and bar in addition to a pool, and it’s conveniently positioned for many sights.
- Admas Grand Lodge – this effectively reviewed 4* lodge presents high quality lodging close to Entebbe’s predominant sights. Rooms are en-suite and air-conditioned, and there’s a swimming pool, health centre and restaurant on-site, in addition to a scorching tub, spa and wellness centre.
After all, there are lots of extra choices in Entebbe throughout a variety of costs. You’ll be able to see extra choices for Entebbe on reserving.com right here.
Tips on how to Get to Entebbe
Entebbe is the placement of the principle worldwide airport in Uganda, so that is the place most guests to Uganda arrive. It is not uncommon for these on safari to be picked up instantly on the airport and to spend their first night time in Entebbe. It is usually a preferred final night time in a single day keep.
Entebbe can also be effectively related to Kampala. There may be an specific freeway between the 2, which solely takes round half-hour to journey by automobile. Word it is a toll street, however the charge is effectively price paying because the outdated Entebbe-Kampala street can take over 2 hours to traverse on account of visitors.
If you’re arriving into Entebbe airport and staying in Entebbe or Kampala, your lodge would possibly be capable to organize an airport switch for you. You too can e-book this your self utilizing a service like this.
There may be additionally a shared shuttle bus service from Entebbe to Kampala and Jinja generally known as the Pineapple Specific. This presents an inexpensive scheduled service from quite a lot of Entebbe areas together with the airport, and you may e-book this on-line right here.
Tips on how to Get Round Entebbe
There are a variety of how to get round Entebbe. First, the city isn’t very large, so you would stroll between lots of the points of interest your self. You are able to do this your self, or on a guided strolling tour like this.
We walked round most of Entebbe and had a good time, simply remember that it may be highly regarded so you’ll want to put together with a hat, sunscreen, and loads of consuming water.
Nonetheless, some points of interest are fairly unfold out, relying on what you wish to go to, and chances are you’ll have to take transport. Your two predominant choices in Entebbe are boda boda and automobile taxis.
Boda bodas, that are bike taxis, are straightforward to search out alongside the streets and drivers will typically cease and ask if you’d like a trip in the event that they see you out strolling. Or you possibly can take a daily automobile taxi. You need to use a ride-sharing app like Uber to rearrange transport or ask at your lodge who may help organize transport.
In the event you determine to take a boda boda, we extremely suggest you are taking one that gives a helmet to riders. We personally persist with automobile taxis as of late for security causes, however boda bodas are an inexpensive and straightforward type of native transport.
Is Entebbe Protected?
Entebbe is pretty protected, though you’ll want to pay attention to your environment and take fundamental precautions when visiting.
The primary concern guests to Entebbe will want to pay attention to is opportunistic crime. Issues like bag snatches and pickpocketing are one thing to pay attention to, as is the danger of mugging.
As a customer, you wish to minimise the dangers. This implies not carrying costly jewelry or carrying some huge cash. We’d additionally advise you to maintain any digital camera tools or costly telephones out of sight in a bag, and solely deliver them out if you intend to make use of them. It is usually a good suggestion to keep away from strolling after darkish if potential.
We walked throughout Entebbe and took many pictures utilizing our small compact digital camera and cellphone, and we by no means felt in any hazard. Nonetheless, we did primarily go to standard areas in daylight and saved our smartphone and digital camera tucked away in a bag when not in use.
Scams are additionally one thing to pay attention to. We suggest reserving any excursions prematurely with a licensed respected tour operator. If you’re nervous about strolling round, then a strolling tour is a superb possibility.
If you’re not sure of something, we strongly suggest asking for recommendation at your lodge or from a trusted information.
We suggest studying up on the newest journey recommendation offered by your authorities earlier than visiting, as we suggest for any nation. For instance, you possibly can see the recommendation for visiting Uganda on the UK authorities web site right here, and the US state division web site right here.
Sensible Issues for Entebbe
Listed here are some sensible suggestions to your time in Entebbe and Uganda that will help you plan your journey.
Language
The official languages of Uganda are English and Swahili; nevertheless, there are a whole lot of native languages spoken in Uganda. Essentially the most broadly spoken language within the space is Luganda. Though Swahili has been made an official language, we not often heard locals talking it.
As a vacationer in Entebbe and Kampala, you will get by fairly effectively with English as most individuals within the tourism business right here communicate at the least some English. At points of interest and museums, the data is usually written in English.
Ingesting Water in Uganda
The faucet water in Uganda is usually not thought to be protected for guests to drink. It’s best to drink bottled water, or contemplate filtering your personal water. See our information to protected consuming water when touring for some advised choices.
Web Entry in Uganda
If you wish to get on-line, you will have two predominant choices in Uganda. You’ll be able to depend on WiFi, which is usually out there without spending a dime at most accommodations in addition to many different areas resembling cafes and eating places.
You too can put money into a SIM card. We purchased an Airtel SIM card at Entebbe airport on arrival. You too can get a SIM card at Victoria Mall in Entebbe. It was superb worth and we loaded it with sufficient information to final for our entire go to. It labored reliably throughout nearly all of the nation, with some exceptions in probably the most distant areas.
Simply remember there’s a registration course of which entails a scan of your passport, fingerprinting, and a photograph. It’s not tough, but it surely does take about 10 minutes or so.
In order for you extra recommendation on web entry when touring, see our information to getting on-line when touring for some suggestions and recommendation.
Cash in Uganda
Uganda makes use of the Uganda shilling, or UGX. We suggest all the time having some native forex readily available for tipping, markets, and different small purchases. It’s best to tip native workers in native forex as they then would not have to pay to have it exchanged.
Ugandan shillings could be simply withdrawn at ATMs throughout the nation, though these could cost a small charge for doing so. We suggest doing this from an ATM on the airport or one hooked up to a financial institution. There are additionally locations the place you possibly can alternate forex on the airport in addition to in Kampala, Entebbe, and different bigger cities.
Bank cards are broadly accepted for transactions at most tourist-focused companies, particularly for bigger transactions.
Most vacationer targeted companies may even settle for the US greenback (USD) and a few may even settle for the UK pound sterling (GBP) and the Euro. However the perfect international forex to have and most generally accepted is the U.S. greenback. The payments have to be in good situation and of a current concern. They’ll’t have any marks or be in poor situation as in any other case they won’t be accepted. So if bringing USD forex with you, you should definitely verify it earlier than your journey.
It’s additionally price checking the alternate fee, as you would possibly end up getting a greater worth should you pay within the native forex slightly than in USD or different international forex.
Energy Shops / Journey Adapters for Uganda
Uganda makes use of a three-pin plug (Sort G plug), as you’ll discover within the UK and quite a lot of different nations in East Africa. If you’re coming from the UK or different nation that makes use of the British plug, then your tools will probably be advantageous and also you shouldn’t want a journey adapter.
If you’re visiting from a unique nation, resembling from the USA, Canada, or most of Europe, then you will want a journey adaptor like this.
Moreover, Uganda makes use of a 220v-240v system. That is much like a lot of the world excluding elements of the Americas, together with Canada and the USA, the place 110v is the norm. If you’re travelling from one in every of these nations, you will want to verify in case your tools helps the upper voltage. It ought to be written on the plug.
Usually, decrease powered gadgets like cameras, laptops, and cellphone chargers help 110v – 240v, while greater energy gadgets like hairdryers don’t. See our information to journey adapters for extra on this subject.
Additional Studying
That sums up our information to issues to do in Entebbe! Earlier than you head on, we additionally needed to share another sources you would possibly discover helpful for planning your journey to Uganda.
- If you’re on the lookout for a guidebook, there may be the Brandt Journey Uganda Information. That is the one journey information that covers simply Uganda. There may be additionally the Lonely Planet East Africa information, which covers Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi for these additionally touring elsewhere in area
- In the event you’d like a guidebook to birds, we use the Pocket Information: Birds of East Africa and discover it very helpful. For common wildlife, we use the Pocket Information to the Mammals of East Africa.
- Seeing primates within the wild is without doubt one of the hottest actions in Uganda. See our detailed information to chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and gorilla trekking in Uganda for all the data it’s essential to plan that a part of your journey.
- You might be seemingly going to wish to take a whole lot of pictures if you go to Uganda. See our suggestions for taking nice safari pictures, in addition to our information to the finest safari cameras and lenses that will help you get the perfect outcomes
- If you’re planning on visiting Kenya, try our information to issues to do in Nairobi and our advised 1 day Nairobi itinerary, which has a number of concepts for town
- If you want to skip plastic waste, you would possibly contemplate filtering your personal water as you journey. See our information to protected consuming water when touring for suggestions
- We have now a information to getting on-line when travelling, that will help you keep related in Uganda
- You’re going to want to energy all of your gadgets if you journey – see our information to the finest journey adapters so you possibly can select the proper one for Uganda
And that’s it! As all the time, we hope you discovered this information helpful. When you have any questions or feedback, simply pop them within the feedback part beneath and we’ll get again to you as quickly as we will.
