Entebbe & Lake Victoria

Entebbe is where every trip begins and ends, sitting on a peninsula in Lake Victoria forty kilometres from Kampala, with the international airport on its edge. Most travellers write it off as a transfer town, which is a mistake, as it holds two of Uganda's best half-day experiences.

Mabamba Swamp, a papyrus wetland a short boat ride across the bay, is one of the most reliable places on earth to see a shoebill stork. You go out at dawn in a motorised canoe and push into channels until you find one standing motionless in the reeds. For many birders it is the single reason they came to Uganda.

Ngamba Island, 23km offshore, is a sanctuary for chimpanzees orphaned by the bushmeat trade. It is not wild tracking and we are always clear about that, but the feeding platform brings you very close, and the day on the lake is a good one.

Highlights

• Mabamba Swamp shoebill canoe trip at dawn
• Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary
• Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, excellent with children
• Entebbe Botanical Gardens birding walk
• Lake Victoria sunset cruise

Best time to visit

Year-round. Shoebill sightings at Mabamba hold up in every month; go at first light whatever the season.

Getting there

You are already here, as Entebbe International Airport is where you land. We include a private meet-and-greet transfer on every itinerary.