Entebbe is a pleasant town built on the shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda. Entebbe offers a relaxed stop-over alternative to Kampala if you're flying into or out of Uganda, 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.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Entebbe hosts Uganda's international airport. The drive from Kampala is about an hour in light traffic, and more than two hours when it is heavy. The United Nations increasingly use a heavily guarded airport compound at Entebbe as a depot and staging area for their heavy equipment and vehicles that are used in peacekeeping missions in the region of Central Africa. They have their own immigration and customs procedures and a heavy lift capability using Antonovs. Entebbe is perhaps most famous for an Israeli commando raid on 4 July 1976, when over one hundred mainly Jewish hostages held on a hijacked Air France plane were rescued.
There are three types of public transport: boda-bodas, matatu and special hires. The fastest and most dangerous method is the boda-boda: motorcycles that you see all over town. You won't be in Entebbe long before being propositioned by a boda rider. If you're not interested, a simple 'no' will get them to leave you alone. You can get most anywhere on the back of one for as low as USH 1,000 for very short distances, but make sure to agree on the fare before the ride begins. Men usually ride facing forward while some women ride side saddle. Boda-bodas can be dangerous as their riders will do whatever it takes to get you to your destination quickly.
1 Uganda Wildlife Educational Centre ((UWEC) Entebbe's Zoo) (downhill into Lugard Ave and then continue downhill until it becomes Johnston Rd. Keep right at the unmapped fork in the road, continue for another 400m and the entrance is then well-signed on your right), ☏ +256 414 320 520, fax: +256 414 320 073, info@uwec.ug. Daily 08:30-18:30. If you don't have a safari planned, this might be your opportunity to catch a glimpse of Africa's wildlife. It's no Singapore Zoo but, unlike many third world offerings, this is not a depressing place. There are good play facilities for children and the aviaries are especially interesting with weaver birds, shoebills and fish eagles.
Boat trips on Lake Victoria. These include fishing trips and a visit to see the chimpanzees on Ngamba island. Companies offering such trips include Wild Frontiers. 1 Aero Beach. Entebbe's beach (Aero Beach) also features some plane wrecks that depending on your preferences may be plain ugly or interesting to explore. Ush 5000. (updated Dec 2025) 2 Entebbe Golf Club. Play golf at the local 18-hole golf course. USh 70,000 for a round. (updated Jul 2016)
1 4 Points, Kampala Rd (close to the Pearl supermarket). Great Indian food, good atmosphere, cheap beer. Has a bar with a pool table, and expats are welcome. Also does "Chinese" dishes, but not as the nationals of most countries would know them. There's a dance floor and the attached bakery has scrumptious strawberry sorbet imported from Kenya. Attentive and rapid service and candles on the tables after dark. Open to the mosquitoes throughout. Mains USh 18,000-26,000; good roti USh 2,000. 2 Anna's Corner, 1 Station Rd (Across the street from the war monument), ☏ +256 773 420 569. Daily 09:00-22:00PM. Most of the comfy and romantic seating is outdoors - so watch the weather.
1 4 Turkeys Pub, Kampala Rd (almost opposite the Water & Sewage Corporation). 8AM-2AM or when last customer staggers home. Heineken & Guinness served and has a half sized billiard table. Also serves typical British pub grub. See also listing for 4 Points above.
Compared to other places in Uganda, Entebbe is safe and clean. One major risk are the boda-bodas, both for riders and other traffic including pedestrians.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Jul, Entebbe typically sees ~24°C daytime highs and 15 rainy days.
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