South African Airways

The gardens are a pleasant place to while away a couple of hours, with a scattering of colobus and vervet monkeys scampering among the trees. Laid out in 1898, these gardens are known among botanists for having one of the most diverse mixes of flora and fauna in Africa. Highlights are pockets of thick rainforest and excellent bird watching, with 115 recorded species. Guides are available at the entrance, but can demand your money quite aggressively.

This zoo is home to animals that have been rescued from captivity, and although they’re not wild here, they live in large enclosures that feel reasonably natural. Inhabitants include lions, rhinos, elephant, leopard, zebras, crocs, giraffes, hyenas and chimpanzee. It’s largely staffed by volunteers, and you can take a behind-the-scenes tour, or stay over in the decent accommodation.

This German-style café by the lake sells excellent pastries and cappuccinos, using organic coffee from local plantations. It also sells fresh fruit and traditional German breads. Entebbe has a sizable German expat population, which explains the presence of this bakery.

The owners of the reptile centre are trying to educate Ugandans about the importance of reptiles in the eco-system because reptiles are often killed upon sight in the wild. The Reptile Centre rescues and rehabilitates injured creatures. It was founded in 2002, and its owners saved 623 snakes of 38 different species from death in the first five years.

The Mabamba Swamps near Entebbe are home to the elusive Shoebill. You can take one of the daily tours to Mabamba that include a canoe ride through papyrus reeds to grassy wetlands where the Shoebills hang out.

Entebbe has several beaches on the shores of Lake Victoria, most with white powdery sand. They’re all owned by the hotels, restaurants or bars, and get crowded at weekends, though they’re almost deserted during the week. The most popular are The Imperial Resort Beach Hotel and Lido Beach. Don’t swim in the lake because you might get bilharzia. Stick to the pool at the Lake Victoria Hotel instead.

Take a day trip to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee sanctuary for a walk in the forest, and if you’re lucky, the orphaned and rescued chimps will play with you. You can stay overnight too, in private tents with real beds and enjoy meals cooked by the guides. The island has about 50 chimps, rescued from throughout Uganda by the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust.