Lake Victoria & Kampala

Set on and around the shores of Lake Victoria, Kampala and Entebbe offer two complementary ways to start or end a Uganda journey. Kampala’s lively markets, heritage sites and street-life energy is balanced by Entebbe’s botanical gardens, lakeside strolls and easy sunset cruises.

Add in soft-adventure options, such as a day visit to Jinja on the River Nile or a visit to Ngamba Island, and you’ve got a relaxed, culture-rich pre (or post) safari stop.

The two largest towns of Uganda, Kampala and Entebbe, lie only 37 km apart. Entebbe is set on Lake Victoria. Whilst Kampala, the capital of Uganda, has an equally scenic location on a series of hills some 10 km inland.

Kampala

Kampala is a vibrant African city, bustling and full of the sights, smells and sounds of a forward-moving and dynamic capital. The traffic is terrible, but there is always a great deal to look at. Most of everyday life happens on the street. People eat and drink and buy and sell. But they also visit the barber and manufacture things within inches of the traffic too.

Though it sprawls over numerous hills, the business heart of the city is quite small. Thus it is more appealing to visit than some other capitals in Africa.

Highlights

• Kasubi Tombs
• Bulange Palace and cathedrals
• Craft markets.

Entebbe

Entebbe is much sleepier, but more attractive, set on Lake Victoria. The botanical gardens’ great claim to fame is that the rainforest zone in the gardens was used as a set during the filming of the original “Tarzan” film in 1940! It was established in the late 19th century. Unlike the older parks and green places of Kampala, it has survived and thrived.

Highlights

• Entebbe Botanical Gardens
• Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC ), a rehabilitation centre for native Ugandan rescue animals.
• Lakefront walk
• Sunset cruises on the lake

Lake Victoria

Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania share the shores of Lake Victoria. But this enormous body of water is the size of a small country in its own right! There are numerous islands which are covered with tropical rainforest, fringed by white sandy beaches, and dotted with traditional fishing villages. A prime example would be Ngamba Island. This is a protected island sanctuary on Lake Victoria caring for rescued/orphaned chimpanzees that cannot be reintroduced to the wild.

Frequently Asked Questions

 How many nights should I spend in Kampala or Entebbe?
Most people stay only 1 night. But 2 nights allows you to experience either city, Kampala for buzzing city culture; Entebbe for a gentler, lakeside pace.

Can I visit Jinja from Kampala or Entebbe?
Yes, Jinja lies only 40km away and so you can visit for the day to enjoy white-water rafting or gentler river activities.

When’s the best time to visit Kampala and Entebbe?
June–Sept is widely considered to be the best time to visit Kampala as it offers dry, pleasant conditions. December to mid-March is also relatively dry. Rains come mid-March to May and from mid-Sept to November, but it doesn’t really impact city touring. See our greater detail below

Pair a relaxed Entebbe lakeside evening with a curated Kampala city tour—we’ll shape it around your safari plans.