If you happen to’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 predict there are many issues to do in Entebbe to make it value spending not less than a day or two of your journey.
We’ve spent a lot of days exploring the points of interest of the Entebbe space, and we’ve put collectively this information that can assist 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 laborious to think about it was the seat of presidency, particularly if you examine it to Kampala with its tall buildings and loopy site 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 number of days to discover, this information will provide you with a lot of concepts for issues to do in Entebbe.
From seeing chimpanzees to attempting conventional meals to buying domestically 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 predict you can find one thing to get pleasure from on this nook of Uganda.
Take a Strolling Tour
An effective way to get an outline of Entebbe is to take a domestically led strolling tour like this. We love taking strolling excursions, particularly once we are new to an space. We discover they’re among the finest methods to see the highlights, be taught concerning 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 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 probably embody issues like attempting the native meals, seeing native monuments, visiting the Botanical Gardens, and visiting the craft market. Simply examine what’s and isn’t included within the tour worth, and keep in mind that tipping is at all times appreciated in Uganda.
Go to the Botanical Backyard
One of the crucial 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 method to get an introduction to a few of the vegetation 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 a lot of areas which characteristic vegetation and timber from completely different areas of Uganda, in addition to different tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate areas world wide. Over 300 species are represented.
In addition to the spectacular assortment of timber and vegetation, the backyard is effectively generally known as location for birdwatching. A few of the species you could spot right here embody the large marabou stork, the palm-nut vulture, the African gray parrot, pink-backed pelican, yellow-billed duck, malachite kingfisher, and lots of extra.
Chook lovers will certainly wish to embody the Botanical Backyard on their checklist of locations to go to in Entebbe.
It’s additionally house to a lot of monkeys, together with the attractive black and white Colobus monkey which you will 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 it’s also possible to pay further for an area information. You possibly can rent a information on the backyard entrance, or be part of a tour reminiscent of this metropolis strolling tour or this full day tour that features a guided go to right here.
There’s little or no signage right here so a information is an effective funding if you wish to be taught 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. A few 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 few of the seashores are a part of resort or restaurant property, and so are solely accessible to clients. The various lake ranges can have an effect on how a lot seashore (if any) is accessible. In recent times, growing water ranges within the lake and erosion has brought about most of the former seashore areas to turn out to be 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 widespread birds you’ll see alongside the shore. You may also get out on the lake by taking a ship tour.
If you happen to like aviation, you could wish to head over to Aero Seaside the place you can find a small assortment of previous airplanes and aviation gear (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 an area beer or recent glass of fruit juice. For instance, we frequently eat on the shoreside restaurant of the 2Friends Seaside 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 house to Uganda’s State Home, which is at the moment the official house and workplace of the President.
The State Home and most 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 primary historic web site to go to is Muzinga Sq. Park, the place you’ll discover a number 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 have been held throughout the motion to realize independence from British rule.
It’s value noting that relying on if you go to Entebbe, entry to numerous monuments could also be restricted or you could be requested by guards to not take images. That is probably 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 airplane hijacking and subsequent profitable hostage rescue scenario, generally known as Operation Entebbe or Operation Thunderbolt, there may be not a lot info 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 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 Nineteen Thirties with a brand new constructing additionally being constructed right here.
These of you interested by non secular historical past may also 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 well-liked place of pilgrimage. That is situated simply exterior Entebbe so you’ll need 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.
In case you are considering delving into the historical past of Entebbe, we’d recommend contemplating hiring an area 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’ll see the charges for a spherical and e-book on the official web site right here.
If you happen to’d moderately watch golf than play, the golf membership additionally hosts tournaments year-round, which you’ll be able to see on their web site.
If you happen to’re searching for someplace to remain close to the golf course, the 4* Lake Victoria Resort is an effective possibility. It’s a colonial-era resort 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 at all times sensible to do a trek as there aren’t any trekking places 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 possibly can as a substitute choose to go to the chimpanzees on the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Ngamba island is present in Lake Victoria, and is house to a lot of orphaned chimpanzees. The island additionally has a lot of different native hen and wildlife species. A go to provides 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 if you’re visiting Uganda with youthful kids, as they gained’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 accessible. You possibly can 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, you’ll want to have your Ngamba Island tickets booked prematurely earlier than heading to the island. You possibly can 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 accessible on the island.
In Entebbe, it’s also possible to 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 variety of scrumptious meals to strive, however maybe essentially the most well-known and in style road 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 high of a fried chapati, after which rolling it up. The result’s “rolled eggs”, which has been shorted to “rolex”.
It’s possible you’ll discover a Rolex on the menu at your resort 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 loads higher when eaten sizzling and proper from the pan!
In Entebbe, you may get a rolex from the road distributors on Nsamizi Highway. If you happen to 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 need to strive when in Uganda.
By way of road meals, one other in style dish is kikomando. That is a reasonable dish manufactured from sliced chapati and fried beans. It could additionally include further toppings reminiscent of gravy, meat, or avocado.
Whereas in Entebbe, we additionally advocate you strive the native fish and seafood from Lake Victoria. You’ll discover native perch and tilapia on a lot of native restaurant menus. In case you are 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 house to over 250 animals. These embody 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 give attention to offering as pure an surroundings as doable, with bigger enclosures that mimic the animal’s pure habitats the place doable.
In fact, in a great world it would be best 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’ll see extra on the official web site right here. You are able to do the usual admission, or you may 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 may be taught much more concerning the centre and its work, and is unquestionably value contemplating you probably have the time and price range.
You possibly can 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 nations: 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 offers the livelihood for a lot of locals, primarily by fishing. A lot of the fish you might be prone to eat in Uganda is both going to come back from Lake Victoria, or the Nile River which flows out and in of it.
As a customer, it’s also possible to get pleasure from a while on the lake. Standard actions embody taking a ship tour, which afford wildlife watching alternatives or the prospect to look at the sundown. You may also take a fishing tour on the lake.
Ask domestically at your resort, 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 individuals and your resort may help you organize it.
Discover Native Markets
If you happen to get pleasure from searching native markets if you go to a vacation spot, then you’ll undoubtedly get pleasure from Entebbe. The city has a lot of common indoor and outside markets, which provide a wide range of completely different produce.
One in style market is Kitooro Market. It is a massive 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 usually discover distributors within the streets exterior the market constructing itself. It’s usually open every day.
There are additionally often different markets in Entebbe, together with numerous road markets on various days. For instance there’s a Saturday market on the Works Sports activities Floor. This market sells a little bit of all the pieces together with clothes, meals, house 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 types 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 nearly straight reverse Victoria Mall, and is an effective place for memento purchasing. There are a variety of stalls right here providing a wide range of gadgets, together with souvenirs, crafts, jewelry, artwork, clothes, sculptures, tableware, scarfs, and baggage.
There are fairly a number of stalls right here and the choices do fluctuate by stall, so do browse a bit. Pricing just isn’t fastened and haggling is predicted, though we discovered the preliminary costs have been comparatively cheap once we visited.
We visited right here after stopping at Victoria Mall, you may simply stroll throughout the road. We purchased a number of issues right here. This was really the one craft market that we visited throughout our time in Uganda.
The stallholders, nearly all girls, have been very pleasant and well mannered and we loved searching 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 effective place to cease if you’ll want to purchase something in your Uganda journey.
The shopping center features a good-sized grocery store, a number of retailers promoting clothes, footwear, outside gear, and items, a restaurant, a fast-food restaurant, a pharmacy, an eye fixed clinic, and a cinema. There’s an ATM, a spot to purchase SIM playing cards (Airtel), and a Foreign exchange cash alternate workplace.
It’s an important place to select 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’ll go to on foot or park on web site.
We visited and purchased a number of souvenirs from a small craft store, in addition to some toiletries and snacks from the grocery store.
The resort, the Greatest Western Premier Backyard Resort, is linked to the purchasing middle. Friends 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
In case you are in Entebbe for a number of days, it’s best to undoubtedly take into account taking a day journey to Kampala. Kampala is the capital metropolis of Uganda, and there’s loads to see right here. Because of the specific freeway that opened in 2018 (requires tolls), it’s now solely round a 30-minute drive from Entebbe to Kampala, though site visitors in Kampala itself may be very gradual.
We’ve spent a while exploring the highlights of the 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 concerning the historical past and tradition of the town, in addition to get ideas from an area 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 possibly can undoubtedly go to all these places by yourself but it surely does require some coordinating as websites are unfold out. In case you are visiting Uganda as a part of a safari, you may additionally have the ability to get your safari firm to incorporate a tour of Kampala’s highlights on the itinerary as effectively. It’s additionally doable to e-book a tour like this which visits each Kamapala and Entebbe.
Occasion on the Evening 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 may dance the night time away.
The Avenue 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
In case you are 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 in style excursions you can 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 preferred 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 part of a lot of multi-day safari excursions from Entebbe that embody issues like safari recreation drives, village visits, chimpanzee trekking, and gorilla trekking.
Listed below 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 will have an opportunity to see the elusive and odd-looking shoebill stork
- In case you are primarily centered on hen watching, then take into account 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 a lot of uncommon birds together with the shoebill stork.
- Birders may also take into account this 2 day tour, which incorporates each Mabamba Swamp and the Entebbe Botanic Gardens.
- In case you are on a brief journey to Uganda, maybe for enterprise, and actually wish to expertise a safari recreation drive, you are able to do so with a day journey to Lake Mburo Nationwide Park from Entebbe. This can contain a variety 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? Try 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 possibly can see a few of 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 spread of worth factors. We advocate the next as a place to begin/
- 2Friends Seaside Resort – this can be a good worth possibility situated by the shores of Lake Victoria and 10 minutes drive from the airport. The resort has snug 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 employees are very pleasant. That is the place we’ve chosen to remain on each of our visits to Entebbe.
- Papyrus Visitor Home – this can be a good worth possibility providing peaceable lodging slightly approach from the centre of Entebbe. In case you are searching for extra of a standard visitor home feeling, this can be 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 resort 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 Resort – this resort is situated 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 Resort – this colonial period resort 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 provides 4* lodging with a pool and restaurant.
- The Boma Resort – this luxury boutique resort is present in a Forties period house and provides personal 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 effectively reviewed 4* resort provides high quality lodging close to Entebbe’s principal sights. Rooms are en-suite and air-conditioned, and there’s a swimming pool, health centre and restaurant on-site, in addition to a sizzling tub, spa and wellness centre.
In fact, there are various extra choices in Entebbe throughout a spread of costs. You possibly can see extra choices for Entebbe on reserving.com right here.
Methods to Get to Entebbe
Entebbe is the situation of the primary 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 straight on the airport and to spend their first night time in Entebbe. It is usually a well-liked final night time in a single day keep.
Entebbe can also be effectively linked to Kampala. There’s an specific freeway between the 2, which solely takes round half-hour to journey by automotive. Notice this can be a toll street, however the charge is effectively value paying because the previous Entebbe-Kampala street can take over 2 hours to traverse attributable to site visitors.
In case you are arriving into Entebbe airport and staying in Entebbe or Kampala, your resort would possibly have the ability to organize an airport switch for you. You may also e-book this your self utilizing a service like this.
There’s additionally a shared shuttle bus service from Entebbe to Kampala and Jinja generally known as the Pineapple Specific. This provides an reasonably priced scheduled service from a lot of Entebbe places together with the airport, and you’ll e-book this on-line right here.
Methods to Get Round Entebbe
There are a variety of how to get round Entebbe. First, the city just isn’t very huge, so you can stroll between most 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 very popular so it would be best 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 could have to take transport. Your two principal choices in Entebbe are boda boda and automotive taxis.
Boda bodas, that are motorcycle taxis, are simple to search out alongside the streets and drivers will usually cease and ask if you need a experience in the event that they see you out strolling. Or you may take a daily automotive taxi. You should use a ride-sharing app like Uber to rearrange transport or ask at your resort who may help organize transport.
If you happen to resolve to take a boda boda, we extremely advocate you are taking one that provides a helmet to riders. We personally keep on with automotive taxis nowadays for security causes, however boda bodas are an affordable and straightforward type of native transport.
Is Entebbe Protected?
Entebbe is pretty secure, though it would be best to concentrate on your environment and take primary precautions when visiting.
The primary problem 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 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 digicam gear 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 doable.
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 in style 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. In case you are nervous about strolling round, then a strolling tour is a good possibility.
In case you are not sure of something, we strongly advocate asking for recommendation at your resort or from a trusted information.
We advocate studying up on the newest 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 Concerns for Entebbe
Listed below are some sensible ideas in your time in Entebbe and Uganda that can assist you plan your journey.
Language
The official languages of Uganda are English and Swahili; nevertheless, there are a variety of native languages spoken in Uganda. Essentially the most extensively 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 may get by fairly effectively with English as most individuals within the tourism trade right here communicate not less than some English. At points of interest and museums, the knowledge is commonly written in English.
Consuming Water in Uganda
The faucet water in Uganda is mostly not considered secure for guests to drink. You must drink bottled water, or take into account filtering your personal water. See our information to secure consuming water when touring for some steered choices.
Web Entry in Uganda
If you wish to get on-line, you will have two principal choices in Uganda. You possibly can depend on WiFi, which is mostly accessible free of charge at most motels in addition to many different places reminiscent of cafes and eating places.
You may also spend money on a SIM card. We purchased an Airtel SIM card at Entebbe airport on arrival. You may also get a SIM card at Victoria Mall in Entebbe. It was excellent 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 essentially the most distant areas.
Simply bear in mind there’s a registration course of which includes a scan of your passport, fingerprinting, and a photograph. It’s not tough, but it surely does take about 10 minutes or so.
If you need 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 might cost a small charge 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 alternate forex on the airport in addition to in Kampala, Entebbe, and different bigger cities.
Bank cards are extensively accepted for transactions at most tourist-focused companies, particularly for bigger transactions.
Most vacationer centered companies may even settle for the USA greenback (USD) and a few may even settle for the UK pound sterling (GBP) and the Euro. However the very best overseas forex to have and most generally accepted is the U.S. greenback. The payments have to be in good situation and of a latest problem. 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, be sure you examine it earlier than your journey.
It’s additionally value checking the alternate fee, as you would possibly end up getting a greater worth in case you pay within the native forex moderately than in USD or different overseas forex.
Energy Shops / Journey Adapters for Uganda
Uganda makes use of a three-pin plug (Sort G plug), as you can find within the UK and a lot of different nations in East Africa. In case you are coming from the UK or different nation that makes use of the British plug, then your gear can be high-quality and also you shouldn’t want a journey adapter.
In case you are visiting from a special nation, reminiscent of from the USA, Canada, or most of Europe, then you’ll need a journey adaptor like this.
Moreover, Uganda makes use of a 220v-240v system. That is just like a lot of the world except for components of the Americas, together with Canada and the USA, the place 110v is the norm. In case you are travelling from one in every of these nations, you’ll need to examine in case your gear helps the upper voltage. It ought 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 wished to share another sources you would possibly discover helpful for planning your journey to Uganda.
- In case you are searching for a guidebook, there may be the Brandt Journey Uganda Information. That is the one journey information that covers simply Uganda. There’s additionally the Lonely Planet East Africa information, which covers Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi for these additionally touring elsewhere in area
- If you happen to’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 knowledge you’ll want to plan that a part of your journey.
- You’re probably going to wish to take a variety of images if 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 can assist you get the very best outcomes
- In case you are planning on visiting Kenya, take a look at our information to issues to do in Nairobi and our steered 1 day Nairobi itinerary, which has a lot of concepts for the town
- If you need to skip plastic waste, you would possibly take into account filtering your personal water as you journey. See our information to secure consuming water when touring for ideas
- We have now a information to getting on-line when travelling, that can assist you keep linked in Uganda
- You’re going to want to energy all of your units if you journey – see our information to the greatest journey adapters so you may select the correct 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 beneath and we’ll get again to you as quickly as we will.
