The Uganda zoo, also ‘Entebbe zoo’, officially known as the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre, is located in Entebbe town along the shores of Lake Victoria, about 3 kilometres southwest of Kampala.
The zoo started in 1952 as an animal sanctuary.
How to get there
With several ways to reach the Entebbe zoo, depending on where your setting off;
From Kampala:
The zoo is about 36km from Kampala via the Kampala –Entebbe expressway or the old Entebbe road.
By private car or taxi ,the journey takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on traffic and other stops along the way.
Public taxis also operate between Kampala (from the New taxi park) and Entebbe town, dropping passengers near the zoo entrance.
From Entebbe international airport:
The zoo is located just 10 minutes from the airport.
Visitors arriving or departing from Entebbe can easily stop by using a taxi or hotel shuttle.
By public transport – Local minibuses and boda-boda (motocycles) connect different parts of the Entebbe town to the zoo at a small cost.
What to expect and see
The Uganda zoo is more than just an animal park; it’s an educational and conservation centre where visitors can see and learn about Uganda’s rich and vast plant and animal life. And here is what visitors can expect to see;
Wild Animals – with the major focus of attraction, the zoo hosts a variety of wild game such as Lions, Leopards, giraffes, rhinos, chimpanzees, baboons and antelopes.
Aquatic life – the zoo has an aquarium section displaying different types of fish found in lake Victoria and other Ugandan bodies of water.
Reptiles – visitors can view snakes, crocodiles and tortoises in well-secured reptile houses,
Birds – as there is a rich collection of birdlife, including African fish eagles, shoe bills, peacocks, parrots and many others.
Botanical gardens and Nature trails – as the area is green and scenic, perfect for nature walks and photography.
Animal orphanage – as some animals at the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre are rescued from poachers, accidents or illegal pet trade and are cared for at the centre.
Activities to do
There are various interactive activities to engage in while at Entebbe zoo, for instance;
Guided tours – where visitors can join guided tours led by wildlife educators that explain the history, habits and conservation of each animal.
Nature walks within well marked trails allow visitors to enjoy walks through the lush vegetation while learning about Uganda’s flora and fauna.
Boat rides within some parts of the zoo that border lake Victoria that offers short scenic boat rides.
Behind the scenes experience as guests can sign up for the “Keeper for a day program”, where they feed and care for animals under supervision.
Bird watching – the Zoo and surrounding wetlands provides great opportunities for spotting both native and migratory bird species
Children’s play area at the zoo includes playgrounds, pony rides and interactive exhibits suitable for children and families.
Picnics and relaxation, where visitors can relax in shaded areas, enjoy snacks from the canteen or perhaps have picnics in the beautiful gardens.
Educational programs. Schools and groups can actively participate in conservation workshops ,wildlife talks and environmental awareness.
