Entebbe Botanical Gardens (National Botanical Gardens- Uganda)

The Entebbe Botanical Gardens (National Botanical Gardens- Uganda) are located on the Northern Lake Victoria shores in Entebbe. They are the oldest botanical gardens, created in 1898. These botanical gardens were laid out by the first curator “A Whyte” and they are found near the shores of Lake Victoria.

Entebbe Botanical Gardens comprise various zones and including a rainforest zone. The rainforest zone is featured in the Tarzan films. The Tarzan films featured Johny Weissmuller and they were shot in the 1940s.

Entebbe Botanical Gardens experience an annual rainfall of 1623 mm and they are set at an altitude of 1134m. The gardens cover a land area of 40.7 hectares consisting of a Garden House where a collection of plant species from sub-tropical, tropical, and temperate zones can be explored. There are also many shrubs and other plant species that have regenerated naturally over the years.

This national botanical garden features indigenous, medicinal, and exotic plant species making it an ideal spot for botanists or biology students to explore. The stunning gardens are the key attractions and it makes it one of the best places to start your tour in Entebbe.

Birds in Entebbe Botanical Gardens

Over 150 bird species can be spotted on a birding trip in Entebbe Botanical Gardens. They include broad-billed roller, swamp flycatchers, yellow-billed ducks, Jackson’s golden-backed weavers, orange weavers, black-headed weavers, black-headed gonoleks, Vieille’s black weavers, long-tailed cormorant, grey-headed gull, pied kingfishers, long-crested eagle, lizard buzzard, grey-capped warblers, common wattle eye, blue-cheeked bee-eaters, palm nut and hooded vultures, red-faced cisticola, hadada ibis, black crake, scarlet-chested sunbird, and more.

Primates

Entebbe Botanical Gardens Uganda also supports a variety of primates in its lush tropical forest. These include vervet monkeys and colobus monkeys. This makes these spectacular gardens ideal for forest walks or walking tours in Uganda.

Where to stay

1. Lake Victoria Hotel
2. Papyrus Guesthouse
3. K Hotel
4. Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe
5. 2 Friends Beach Hotel
6. Cycad Entebbe Guesthouse
7. Imperial Heights Hotel Entebbe
8. Acacia Beach Hotel
9. Executive airport hotel
10. Karibu Entebbe
11. Sienna Beach Hotel

Getting there

Entebbe Botanical Gardens are reachable from Entebbe International Airport (EBB), about 5 minute’s drive. The gardens are 34kms off from Kampala city center, and they are open to guests during the day from 9:00 am.

Other places to visit in and around Entebbe besides the Botanical Gardens;

1. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary -the best location to see orphaned/rescued chimpanzees being fed.
2. Visit Uganda’s reptile village -home to a variety of reptile species including crocodiles, snakes, chameleons, and others.
3. Uganda Wildlife Education Center
4. Shop for souvenirs at Entebbe Craft Village (this was created in 2002 and it is Uganda’s biggest arts and craft retail center. Find a variety of items including soapstone plates, wood carvings, bags, jewelry, clothing, decorative tableware, and more)
5. Photography at Equator sign on Lwaji Island -in Uganda, the Equator landmarks are at 3 locations -at Kayabwe along the Kampala-Mbarara route, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Lwaji Island in the center of Lake Victoria.
6. Tour calvary chapel & Nakiwogo market, and more.