ENTEBBE CITY
Approximately 37km southwest of Kampala, Uganda is Entebbe town situated on Lake Victoria peninsula. Entebbe has a favorable climate experiencing a tropical rainforest climate it is hot and cold throughout the year. January is the dry season and April the wet season of the year. The temperature is moderated by the altitude.
It is a stunning historical, administrative and cultural town, it was once the seat of government for the Protectorate of Uganda prior to independence, in 1962. This is where the State House for the president of Uganda is located. Uganda’s International Airport is also found in Entebbe, it has been the site of some popular events, making it famous in Europe and abroad. Queen Elizabeth II use this airport to return to England in 1952 when she got to know about her father’s death and that she had been announced as Queen. The airport was the same scene of a hostage situation and a rescue operation ending on 4 July 1976, when soldiers from the Sayeret Matkal, Paratroopers Brigade, and Golani Brigade units of the Israeli army freed over 100 hostages following a hijacking by a group of Palestinian and German militia. The city of Entebbe also hosted final resolution talks to end the M23 rebellion.
The word was derived from Luganda language e ntebe which means ‘seat’ / ‘chair’. Entebbe was a cultural site for Mamba clan and it was called Entebbe za Mugula and is now the location of the statehouse for the president of Uganda, as it was for British governors before independence.
This city is endowed with vast glamorous tourist attractions that pull both international and domestic tourists.
Beaches
As earlier mentioned it is located on the shores of Lake Victoria, there are a number of beautiful sandy beaches along the lake. While here, you can enjoy a swim in the cool waters, delicious fish, sunbath in the sand, play beach games like volleyball and the sunset boat rides. Some of the popular beaches include Lido Beach, White Sun beach, Ssese gate Way Beach, Sport Beach, Nabinoonya Beach just to mention but a few.
Entebbe International Airport.
It is the only International airport in Uganda, there are a lot of historical events attached to this airport. Queen Elizabeth II use this airport to return to England in 1952 when she got to know about her father’s death and that she had been announced as Queen. The airport was the same scene of a hostage situation and a rescue operation ending on 4 July 1976, when soldiers from the Sayeret Matkal, Paratroopers Brigade, and Golani Brigade units of the Israeli army freed over 100 hostages following a hijacking by a group of Palestinian and German militia. The most frequent visitors to this airport are mostly domestic tourists especially from learning institutions like the nursery, primary and secondary school. They carry out a study tour around the airport.
The lakeside Uganda Wildlife Education Centre
This also commonly known us Uganda’s national zoo. There are numerous wild animals which include: Lion, Zebra, Rhino, Elephants, Antelopes, Serval cats, Monkeys, Chimpanzees just to mention but a few. The zoo also protects wetlands, forests and savannah habitats around it. A number of foreign and domestic visitors flood here to see the animals as well as enjoying the cool breeze of Lake Victoria.
National Botanical Garden
These exquisite gardens were laid out in 1898, hosting a variety of open country and woodland species and you can easily spend a pleasant couple of hours here. It is a popular birding spot with vast bird species which include: orange tufted, red chested Sunbirds, orange weaver. Slender-billed, Northern Brown-throated, yellow-backed, Jackson’s Golden-backed, Black-headed and Vieillot’s black weavers. Great Blue and Ross’s turacos, Klaas’s and Diederik Cuckoos, Woodland Kingfisher, Broad-billed Roller, Black and white casqued hornbill and splendid starling African Fish eagle and eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Hadada Ibis, palm nut and Hooded Vultures, Shikra, Lizard buzzard, Long-crested eagle, Grey Kestrel, Black Crake, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Angola swallow, winding and red-faced cisticolas, Grey-capped Warbler, common wattle –eye, and Green –throated and scarlet-chested Sunbirds. Guereza Colobus and vervet monkeys can be observed.
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
The sanctuary found on a Ngamba Island near Entebbe on Lake Victoria. It is home to 49 orphaned chimpanzees rescued from across East Africa. There are a number of activities carried out at Ngamba Island; observing the fascinating great apes (chimpanzees) in our unique setting, birding, forest walks, boat rides, and camping.
Kigungu
Entebbe is also home to the historical site in Kigungu where the first French catholic missionaries Brother Amans and Father Mon Maple Lourdel landed to establish the catholic faith in 1879. The site has interesting stories about 2 missionaries, people visit this place and annual pilgrimage still takes place at the site.
Reptile Village
It is situated 2 km off Entebbe –Kampala Highway, there are over 50 reptiles with 20 different species on ranging from cobras, boom slangs, skinks, monitor lizards, tortoises and the most poisonous snake in Africa the Gabon Viper. Four different species of tortoises these interesting slow but fun animals eating their vegetables. The stunning Jackson’s chameleons as they pose in their habitats. The village also has a swamp which harbors birds and monkeys to breed and feed.
ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES
Entebbe has a number of accommodation facilities that provide comfort, delicious international and local dishes and professional staff with excellent customer care. The prices fit in everyone’s budget, the accommodation ranges from Luxury, moderate to budget. Some of the accommodation facilities include N0.5 Boutique Hote, Lake Heights Entebbe Hotel, Protea Hotel by Marriott, Lake Victoria Hotel, Mowcribs Hotel and Spa, Skyway Hotel, Imperial golf course Hotel, Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel, Gately Inn, Entebbe palms Hotel, Best western premier Garden Hotel, Airport View Hotel,
Viavia Guest House, Precious Accommodation, K. Hotels just to mention but a few.
Engagi Safaris is a reliable tour operator, with professional staff. Our tour consultants are well trained with a passion, to help you understand all the details about the safaris you wish to inquire about.We have the best drivers and guides who are very highly skilled and knowledgeable about all aspects of tourism, and you can be rest assured that you will have a wonderful experience.
