In case you’re heading to Uganda, there’s a excessive likelihood 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 no less than 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 fashion. It’s arduous to think about it was the seat of presidency, particularly once you examine 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 start out or a flight to go away, or you’ve got a couple of days to discover, this information gives you a lot of concepts for issues to do in Entebbe.
From seeing chimpanzees to making an attempt conventional meals to buying regionally made souvenirs, Entebbe has one thing for everybody! Let’s get began.
14 Issues to do in Entebbe
This checklist of issues to do in Entebbe covers all kinds of choices. No matter your pursuits, we expect you can find one thing to take pleasure in 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 after we are new to an space. We discover they’re among the finest methods to see the highlights, be taught in regards to the tradition and historical past, and get ideas from locals on different actions.
We took a tour of Kampala with the corporate that runs the Entebbe tour, and it was wonderful. Our information was educated in regards to the space and historical past of the nation, and was additionally capable of advise on issues like security, what to eat, and extra.
Most strolling excursions of Entebbe will doubtless embody issues like making an attempt 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 worth, and do not forget that tipping is at all times appreciated in Uganda.
Go to the Botanical Backyard
One of the well-known points of interest in Entebbe is the Nationwide Botanical Gardens of Uganda, usually simply known as the Entebbe Botanical Backyard. That is usually included on guests’ safari itineraries as a result of it is a wonderful option 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 characteristic crops and timber from completely different areas of Uganda, in addition to different tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate areas all over the world. Over 300 species are represented.
In addition to the spectacular assortment of timber and crops, the backyard is nicely generally known as an excellent location for birdwatching. A number of the species you might spot right here embody the massive marabou stork, the palm-nut vulture, the African gray parrot, pink-backed pelican, yellow-billed duck, malachite kingfisher, and plenty of extra.
Chicken lovers will certainly wish to embody the Botanical Backyard on their checklist 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’re fairly positive to see vervet monkeys as there are a selection of them right here.
There’s an entrance price to go to the Entebbe Botanical Backyard, and it’s also possible to pay additional for a neighborhood information. You may rent a information on the backyard entrance, or be a part of a tour akin to 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 be taught extra in regards to the native timber and wildlife.
Go to the Seashore
Entebbe sits on the shores of Lake Victoria, and there are a selection of stretches of seashore that may be discovered all alongside the lake. A number of the small seashore areas are sandy, some rocky. These seashore areas may be discovered all alongside the lake entrance, from the airport space, to the Botanical Backyard and past.
A couple of issues to notice. A number of 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 induced lots of the former seashore areas to grow to be inaccessible. Lastly, there’s a danger of bilharzia (schistosomiasis), so many individuals advise in opposition to swimming within the lake.
Though we haven’t swam right here, we take pleasure in 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. It’s also possible to get out on the lake by taking a ship tour.
In case you like aviation, you might wish to head over to Aero Seashore the place you can find a small assortment of outdated airplanes and aviation tools (entrance price to go to) subsequent to the seashore space in addition to a restaurant and bar.
Our suggestion 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 Seashore Resort.
See the Monuments and Historic Websites
Entebbe was the seat of presidency and administrative hub till Uganda gained independence in 1962 and Kampala turned 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 will not be open to the general public. Nonetheless, you’ll undoubtedly see a few of these colonial-era buildings as you discover Entebbe.
The principle historic web site to go to is Muzinga Sq. Park, the place you’ll discover a couple of vital monuments and memorials.
These embody:
- 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 in the course of the motion to realize independence from British rule.
It’s price noting that relying on once you go to Entebbe, entry to varied monuments could also be restricted or you might be requested by guards to not take images. That is doubtless because of the close to proximity of those places to State Home.
Notice that though Entebbe might be greatest identified worldwide for being the situation of the 1976 aircraft 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 Previous 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.
The town additionally has quite a lot of historic church buildings, each Catholic and Anglican. Some date again to colonial occasions. 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 courting again to the Thirties with a brand new constructing additionally being constructed right here.
These of you curious about spiritual historical past may additionally wish to go to the Kigungu Missionary Touchdown web site, 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 situated simply outdoors Entebbe so you have to transport to go to. This full day tour of Entebbe and the encompassing space at the moment features a cease and go to to the Kigungu touchdown web site.
If you’re all in favour of 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 embody 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 ebook on the official web site right here.
In case you’d moderately watch golf than play, the golf membership additionally hosts tournaments year-round, which you’ll see on their web site.
In case you’re in search of someplace to remain close to the golf course, the 4* Lake Victoria Resort 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, in case you are solely in Uganda for a short time frame, it isn’t at all times sensible to do a trek as there are not any trekking places inside a brief drive of Entebbe or Kampala.
The excellent news nevertheless is that you simply don’t must do a full chimpanzee trekking expertise to see chimpanzees in Uganda. You may as a substitute decide 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 affords assured chimpanzee viewing and the chance to be taught all about chimpanzees. It additionally avoids the necessity for a trek. There are additionally no age restrictions right here, so it’s good in case you are visiting Uganda with youthful youngsters, as they received’t be allowed on a chimpanzee trek.
Ngamba island may be reached by boat (by both motorized canoe or speedboat) from Entebbe, and there are numerous journeys obtainable. You may 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 need to go to, it’s essential to have your Ngamba Island tickets booked prematurely earlier than heading to the island. You may see extra on the official web site right here.
Notice that you simply can’t deliver your personal meals or drinks onto the island however there are meals choices obtainable on the island.
In Entebbe, it’s also possible to see chimpanzees on the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Schooling Centre, which we’ll cowl later on this article.
Eat a Rolex
Uganda has loads of scrumptious meals to attempt, however maybe essentially the most well-known and common avenue meals that guests should style is a rolex.
Regardless of the title, this meals has nothing to do with the watch of the identical title. The title 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 advocate discovering a stall promoting rolex and shopping for them recent. They style lots higher when eaten scorching and proper from the pan!
In Entebbe, you will get a rolex from the road distributors on Nsamizi Street. In case 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 a reasonable and scrumptious snack meals, and one you should attempt when in Uganda.
By way of avenue meals, one other common dish is kikomando. That is a reasonable dish manufactured from sliced chapati and fried beans. It might additionally include extra toppings akin to gravy, meat, or avocado.
Whereas in Entebbe, we additionally advocate you attempt the native fish and seafood from Lake Victoria. You’ll discover native perch and tilapia on a lot of native restaurant menus. If you’re self-catering, you should purchase 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 embody chimpanzees, giraffes, lions, and rhinos, in addition to the uncommon and distinctive trying 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 powerful concentrate on offering as pure an surroundings as attainable, with bigger enclosures that mimic the animal’s pure habitats the place attainable.
In fact, 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 heart is actually an excellent possibility you probably have restricted time and would really like a extra assured viewing expertise.
There’s a price 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 may pay additional 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 may be taught much more in regards to the centre and its work, and is unquestionably price contemplating you probably have the time and price range.
You may 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 biggest lake in Africa by space. Lake Victoria spans throughout three international locations: Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. The lake has many native names, however the English title 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’re 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, it’s also possible to take pleasure in a while on the lake. Fashionable actions embody taking a ship tour, which afford wildlife watching alternatives or the prospect to observe the sundown. It’s also possible to take a fishing tour on the lake.
Ask regionally at your lodge, they need to have the ability to provide you with some tour choices. The vacationer boats will normally cease at a number of factors to select up folks and your lodge can assist you prepare it.
Discover Native Markets
In case you take pleasure in shopping native markets once you go to a vacation spot, then you’ll positively take pleasure in Entebbe. The city has quite a lot of common indoor and outside markets, which supply quite a lot of completely different produce.
One common market is Kitooro Market. This can be a massive lined market space with many native distributors promoting primarily recent produce, meat, and groceries. It underwent vital renovation, and re-opened in 2021 in a brand new construction. You’ll additionally usually discover distributors within the streets outdoors the market constructing itself. It’s usually open day by day.
There are additionally frequently 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 little thing together with clothes, meals, dwelling furnishings, and so on.
The Entebbe Farmer’s Market is held on the primary Sunday of each month at Muti’s Backyard Cafe, and it options all kinds of meals and craft gadgets 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 situated virtually immediately reverse Victoria Mall, and is an efficient place for memento buying. There are a variety of stalls right here providing quite a lot of gadgets, together with souvenirs, crafts, jewelry, artwork, clothes, sculptures, tableware, scarfs, and luggage.
There are fairly a couple of stalls right here and the choices do fluctuate by stall, so do browse a bit. Pricing will not be mounted and haggling is anticipated, though we discovered the preliminary costs had been comparatively cheap after we visited.
We visited right here after stopping at Victoria Mall, you may simply stroll throughout the road. We purchased a couple of issues right here. This was truly 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 after we visited!
Go to Victoria Mall
Though not likely 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 on your Uganda journey.
The shopping center features a good-sized grocery store, a number of outlets promoting clothes, sneakers, outside gear, and items, a restaurant, a fast-food restaurant, a pharmacy, an eye fixed clinic, and a cinema. There may be an ATM, a spot to purchase SIM playing cards (Airtel), and a Foreign exchange cash change workplace.
It’s an incredible place to select up groceries or snacks, get a SIM card, get cash, change forex, or purchase any last-minute wanted clothes, climbing, or tenting stuff. The shopping center has good safety, and you may go to on foot or park on web site.
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 Resort, is related to the buying heart. Company have direct entry to Victoria Mall so it’s a helpful place to remain for many 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, it is best to positively contemplate taking a day journey to Kampala. Kampala is the capital metropolis of Uganda, and there’s lots to see right here. Due to the categorical 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 may be very sluggish.
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 advocate a guided strolling tour because it was a great way to be taught in regards to the historical past and tradition of town, in addition to get ideas from a neighborhood on security.
We additionally visited different locations on our personal, utilizing a experience sharing app to get round. We extremely advocate contemplating placing the Kasubi Royal Tombs, Uganda Museum, the Baha’i Temple, Gaddafi Mosque, and Kabaka’s Palace (Mengo Palace) in your itinerary.
You may positively go to all these places by yourself nevertheless it does require some coordinating as websites are unfold out. If you’re visiting Uganda as a part of a safari, you may also have the ability to get your safari firm to incorporate a tour of Kampala’s highlights on the itinerary as nicely. It’s additionally attainable to ebook a tour like this which visits each Kamapala and Entebbe.
Celebration on the Evening Golf equipment
If you wish to have some late-night enjoyable, Entebbe has a number of late-night bars and evening golf equipment the place you may dance the evening away.
The Avenue Membership Entebbe is a well-liked possibility. This can be a restaurant and lounge by day and an evening membership by evening. Another choice is the Knight Riders Discotheque
If you’re planning on going out at evening, do learn our tips about security in Entebbe and plan your transport prematurely.
Excursions from Entebbe
There are a variety of common excursions that you may 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 it’s also possible to be a part of quite a lot of multi-day safari excursions from Entebbe that embody issues like safari sport drives, village visits, chimpanzee trekking, and gorilla trekking.
Listed here are some choices to contemplate.
- This full day tour consists of the highlights of Entebbe in addition to a visit to the Mabamba swamp the place you’ve got an opportunity to see the elusive and odd-looking shoebill stork
- If you’re primarily centered 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 experience, which supplies the chance to see quite a lot of uncommon birds together with the shoebill stork.
- Birders may additionally 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. It will contain loads of driving, however it’s an possibility you probably have restricted time.
- If you need to go to the highlights of Entebbe and Kampala, take a look at this two-day tour which does simply that.
- On the lookout for 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 centered excursions from Entebbe, together with excursions which characteristic chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking. You may see among the greatest 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 worth factors. We advocate the next as a place to begin/
- 2Friends Seashore Resort – it is a good worth possibility situated 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 non-public bogs. There’s an on-site restaurant and seashore bar, small outside swimming pool, and the employees are very pleasant. That is the place we’ve got 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 in search of extra of a standard 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 moderately than air-conditioning.
- Greatest Western Premier Backyard Resort – conveniently situated proper subsequent to Victoria Mall, this 4 star lodge can 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 Seashore Resort – this lodge is situated subsequent to the shore and has a superb 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 Resort – this colonial period lodge was initially designed because the leisure centre for the Governor of Uganda. It’s conveniently situated for each Entebbe Golf Membership and Entebbe Cricket Floor. It affords 4* lodging with a pool and restaurant.
- The Boma Resort – this luxury boutique lodge is present in a Nineteen Forties period dwelling and affords non-public en-suite lodging with air con. There’s an on-site restaurant and bar in addition to a pool, and it’s conveniently situated for many sights.
- Admas Grand Resort – this nicely reviewed 4* lodge affords high quality lodging close to Entebbe’s essential 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.
In fact, there are a lot of extra choices in Entebbe throughout a variety of costs. You may see extra choices for Entebbe on reserving.com right here.
How one can Get to Entebbe
Entebbe is the situation 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 immediately on the airport and to spend their first evening in Entebbe. It is usually a preferred final evening in a single day keep.
Entebbe can be nicely related to Kampala. There may be an categorical freeway between the 2, which solely takes round half-hour to journey by automobile. Notice it is a toll street, however the price is nicely price paying because the outdated Entebbe-Kampala street can take over 2 hours to traverse as a result of visitors.
If you’re arriving into Entebbe airport and staying in Entebbe or Kampala, your lodge may have the ability to prepare an airport switch for you. It’s also possible to ebook 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 Categorical. This affords an inexpensive scheduled service from quite a lot of Entebbe places together with the airport, and you may ebook this on-line right here.
How one can Get Round Entebbe
There are a variety of how to get round Entebbe. First, the city will not be very large, so you might 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 bear in mind 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 you might must take transport. Your two essential choices in Entebbe are boda boda and automobile taxis.
Boda bodas, that are bike taxis, are straightforward to seek out alongside the streets and drivers will usually cease and ask in order for you a experience in the event that they see you out strolling. Or you may take a daily automobile taxi. You should utilize a ride-sharing app like Uber to rearrange transport or ask at your lodge who can assist prepare transport.
In case you resolve to take a boda boda, we extremely advocate you are taking one that provides a helmet to riders. We personally persist with automobile taxis lately for security causes, however boda bodas are an affordable and simple type of native transport.
Is Entebbe Protected?
Entebbe is pretty secure, though you’ll want to pay attention to your environment and take primary precautions when visiting.
The principle difficulty guests to Entebbe will want to concentrate on is opportunistic crime. Issues like bag snatches and pickpocketing are one thing to concentrate on, as is the chance 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 digicam tools or costly telephones out of sight in a bag, and solely deliver them out once you intend to make use of them. It is usually a good suggestion to keep away from strolling after darkish if attainable.
We walked throughout Entebbe and took many images utilizing our small compact digicam and cellphone, and we by no means felt in any hazard. Nonetheless, we did primarily go to common places in daylight and saved our smartphone and digicam tucked away in a bag when not in use.
Scams are additionally one thing to concentrate on. We advocate 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 advocate asking for recommendation at your lodge or from a trusted information.
We advocate studying up on the most recent journey recommendation supplied by your authorities earlier than visiting, as we advocate for any nation. For instance, you may 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 ideas on 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 loads of native languages spoken in Uganda. Probably the most broadly spoken language within the space is Luganda. Though Swahili has been made an official language, we hardly ever heard locals talking it.
As a vacationer in Entebbe and Kampala, you will get by fairly nicely with English as most individuals within the tourism trade right here converse no less than some English. At points of interest and museums, the data is usually written in English.
Consuming Water in Uganda
The faucet water in Uganda is usually not considered secure for guests to drink. You must drink bottled water, or contemplate filtering your personal water. See our information to secure consuming water when touring for some prompt choices.
Web Entry in Uganda
If you wish to get on-line, you’ve got two essential choices in Uganda. You may depend on WiFi, which is usually obtainable totally free at most lodges in addition to many different places akin to cafes and eating places.
It’s also possible to spend money on a SIM card. We purchased an Airtel SIM card at Entebbe airport on arrival. It’s also possible to get a SIM card at Victoria Mall in Entebbe. It was excellent worth and we loaded it with sufficient knowledge to final for our complete go to. It labored reliably throughout nearly all of the nation, with some exceptions in essentially the most distant areas.
Simply bear in mind there’s a registration course of which entails a scan of your passport, fingerprinting, and a photograph. It’s not troublesome, nevertheless it does take about 10 minutes or so.
If you would like extra recommendation on web entry when touring, see our information to getting on-line when touring for some ideas and recommendation.
Cash in Uganda
Uganda makes use of the Uganda shilling, or UGX. We advocate at all times having some native forex available for tipping, markets, and different small purchases. It’s best to tip native employees in native forex as they then don’t have to pay to have it exchanged.
Ugandan shillings may be simply withdrawn at ATMs throughout the nation, though these could cost a small price for doing so. We advocate doing this from an ATM on the airport or one hooked up to a financial institution. There are additionally locations the place you may change 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 centered companies will even settle for the USA greenback (USD) and a few will even settle for the UK pound sterling (GBP) and the Euro. However the very best 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 difficulty. They’ll’t have any marks or be in poor situation as in any other case they may not be accepted. So if bringing USD forex with you, make sure you verify it earlier than your journey.
It’s additionally price checking the change price, as you may end up getting a greater worth if you happen to pay within the native forex moderately than in USD or different international forex.
Energy Retailers / Journey Adapters for Uganda
Uganda makes use of a three-pin plug (Sort G plug), as you can find within the UK and quite a lot of different international locations in East Africa. If you’re coming from the UK or different nation that makes use of the British plug, then your tools shall be fantastic and also you shouldn’t want a journey adapter.
If you’re visiting from a special nation, akin to from the USA, Canada, or most of Europe, then you have to a journey adaptor like this.
Moreover, Uganda makes use of a 220v-240v system. That is much like a lot of the world aside from elements of the Americas, together with Canada and the USA, the place 110v is the norm. If you’re travelling from certainly one of these international locations, you have to to verify in case your tools helps the upper voltage. It needs to be written on the plug.
Usually, decrease powered units like cameras, laptops, and cellphone chargers assist 110v – 240v, while increased energy units 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 may discover helpful for planning your journey to Uganda.
- If you’re in search of 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 case you’d like a guidebook to birds, we use the Pocket Information: Birds of East Africa and discover it very helpful. For normal wildlife, we use the Pocket Information to the Mammals of East Africa.
- Seeing primates within the wild is likely 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’re doubtless going to wish to take loads of images once you go to Uganda. See our ideas for taking nice safari images, in addition to our information to the greatest safari cameras and lenses that will help you get the very best outcomes
- If you’re planning on visiting Kenya, take a look at our information to issues to do in Nairobi and our prompt 1 day Nairobi itinerary, which has a lot of concepts for town
- If you need to skip plastic waste, you may contemplate filtering your personal water as you journey. See our information to secure consuming water when touring for ideas
- We now have 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 units once you journey – see our information to the greatest journey adapters so you may select the suitable one for Uganda
And that’s it! As at all times, we hope you discovered this information helpful. In case you have any questions or feedback, simply pop them within the feedback part under and we’ll get again to you as quickly as we will.
