Entebbe Attraction Tours: Chimps and Shoebills

Travel advisory (October 2026): Washington lists Uganda at Level 4, “Do Not Travel”, up from Level 3 since May 2026. The reasons given are the regional Ebola outbreak, crime, terrorism, unrest and the country’s anti-LGBTQI+ law. London’s FCDO stops short of advising against travel to Uganda as a whole, yet it says terrorists are very likely to attempt attacks and notes that same-sex activity is a crime under the 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act. Look up both sets of advice before booking, confirm the current US level at travel.state.gov, and take out insurance that covers every leg of your trip.

If you want to pay for a guided visit in Entebbe, two animal attractions lead the field, and a wetland tour and a garden walk fill out the list. Money is in US dollars for most foreign visitors, with Ugandan shillings (UGX) used by East Africans.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

  • Run by: the Chimpanzee Trust, on an island about 23 km south-east of Entebbe.
  • Residents: about 50 chimpanzees.
  • Getting there: speedboat about 45 minutes or motorised canoe about 90 minutes, with departures at 09:00 and 12:45.
  • Viewing: feeding and viewing sessions at 07:30, 11:00, 14:30 and 18:30.
  • Booking: compulsory in advance via booking.chimpanzeetrust.org . Ask for the current price at that point.
  • Overnight: tented cottages at the Ngamba Ecolodge.

UWEC on Lugard Avenue

The Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre grew from a wildlife reception centre set up in 1952 and has been a trust since 1994. Its grounds on the lake shore are open from 08:30 to 18:30 every day. Chimpanzees, lions and giraffes are on show, among other East African animals. Entry for a non-resident adult is USD 15, and a child between 3 and 14 pays USD 10.

The guided extras are priced for non-residents as follows:

  • Behind the Scenes: USD 70
  • VIP Exclusive Behind the Scenes (meal and drink included): USD 100
  • Keeper for a Day: USD 150, or USD 50 for the Junior version (ages 6 to 16)
  • Chimp Close Up: USD 290

Book all of them in advance, and ask about health screening for the chimp session. The official website carries the full list.

Shoebill tour at Mabamba Bay

An operator-led tour takes a canoe into the papyrus channels of Mabamba Bay, about an hour from Entebbe. The rules are simple: a licensed guide and a canoe only. Costs run about USD 45 to 200 depending on group size and transport, and a shoebill sighting is likely but never certain.

Botanical gardens with a site guide

The Entebbe Botanical Gardens date from 1898. If you want help spotting birds or monkeys, ask for a site guide at the gate. Hours and fees vary between sources, so confirm them before travelling. The gardens hold colobus monkeys, hornbills and marabou storks.

Uganda Reptile Village

Uganda Reptile Village at Bunono opened around 2002 to 2003. Check its hours and entry fee before you go.

Booking tips

  • Reserve the Ngamba boat and any UWEC experience in advance.
  • UWEC accepts cash or Visa, so carry a card or shillings.
  • Start early for Mabamba, because shoebill trips set off in the morning.

Read more: what to see around town , or outings that suit families .

To compare listed tours, search GetYourGuide for Entebbe attractions .