Fly to Entebbe, Uganda

• Time zone: UTC / GMT +3
• Currency: Ugandan Shilling (USh), it is no longer divided into cents
• Driving: left-hand side of the road
• Power Outlets: 220V-240V 50Hz. Plug types are ‘Type G (British)’
• Closest airport: Entebbe International Airport (EBB)

Even though the equator runs through Uganda and you might expect tropical temperatures, Entebbe is located at 1180m (3870ft) which means temperatures in Entebbe are very comfortable year round (between 20ºC / 68ºF and 22ºC / 71.6ºF). April and May are the wettest months in Entebbe.

If you are planning specific activities in Uganda after visiting Entebbe, it would be best to check the best seasons for your plans.

Entebbe, located on the shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, offers a relaxed way of embracing Africa. The local meaning of Entebbe is ‘seat’, referring to the fact that the local chiefs would sit here and rule.

Apart from the international airport, Entebbe is also the location of the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre where they educate people about wildlife, look after rescued animals and contribute to species recovery by breeding certain animals that are at risk of extinction in the wild. The Uganda Wildlife Centre also offers a range of accommodation options and a restaurant. 

Boats from Entebbe to Chimp Island can easily be arranged and you can even be a caregiver to the chimpanzees for a day or stay overnight on the island. Arranging a fishing trip on Africa’s largest lake is also possible. Swimming, however, should be avoided as the bilharzia parasite is present in Lake Victoria.

You can take a matatu (local minibus used for transport) from Entebbe to Jinja for some adrenaline inducing rafting on the mighty Nile or leave Entebbe to go hiking in the Rwenzoris where you can find permanent snow on Mount Stanley, Africa’s third highest mountain.

Use Tripindigo to book your cheap flights to Entebbe and then venture into the rest of Uganda from there.

Entebbe is located on Africa’s biggest lake, so whilst you are there, make sure you enjoy the local fish, tilapia from the lake. Have it with a Stoney’s (non-alcoholic ginger beer, also called Tangawizi) or a Nile Special (one of many local Ugandan beers).

Uganda is very famous for its cooking banana called ‘matoke’, often used in stews and eaten with the local maize porridge called ‘posho’. A chapatti or mandazi (sort doughnut) with tea for breakfast is very popular and a must-try.

Peanuts are important and the sauce made of these groundnuts is often eaten with smoked fish or smoked meat. They are a real local treat.

Don’t forget that the local Ugandan tea is very milky and often ginger or other spices are added, as well as sugar.

Entebbe offers a range of food, from restaurants to street food for all budgets.

More than 80% of Ugandans are Christians, most practising actively. About 14% are Muslim, the majority of which live in the east.

When photographing people, always ask permission first and agree on payment if required.

Entebbe has facilities for all budgets. This is true for accommodation, transport, food and excursions.

Local goods are cheap; imported is expensive.

The below prices are an example of what you can expect to pay in Uganda for:

• Domestic beer (0.5-litre bottle) in a supermarket – 4,000USh
• Imported beer in a supermarket (0.33-litre bottle) – 5,000USh
• Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) – 6,000USh
• A bottle of coca cola / pepsi (0.33-litre bottle) – 1,417USh
• A small bottle of water (0.33-litre bottle) – 1,139USh