Check out ideas for planning day trips to take from Kampala and Entebbe. These excursions can be done for only a day and you will be able to return back to your place of stay. You can even look forward to an evening at the Uganda National Theater and a night life experience.
How to travel between Kampala and Entebbe
Kampala capital city is 34 km (45 min drive) from Entebbe airport via the KLA-EBB rd or just an 18-min drive using the new Entebbe express highway. There are no direct bus to travel between Kampala and Entebbe. If you’re traveling solo, the best way to travel to Kampala is to rent a private airport taxi, Uber, or use a boda-boda (motorcycle). The cost is $25 to $35 for private car hire but it will depend on which part of Kampala you’re going to.
Day trips from Kampala capital city: Travel tip to beat traffic
Start your day trips early in the mornings or in the mid of the day. If you’re traveling alone, try to dodge the rush hours or get a tourist map to find alternative routes to get in or out of the city center. Usually, traffic is at its highest around 6:30 – 7:00am until 10am. And again in the evenings from 5pm – 9pm. If you’re moving for short distances, you can take a boda-boda ride (motorcycle) to maneuver through.
Day trip to the Martyrs Shrine
The Uganda Martrys shrine Namugongo is 15 km northwest of Kampala city via the northern bypass. The Basilica was built in 1968 to consecrate the 24 Uganda Catholic Martyrs of which 13 were burnt to death on the spot. A day tour to Namugongo offers an opportunity to explore the religious history of Uganda back to 1885. Killed on orders of Mwanga II, the 31st King of Buganda kingdom for they refused to denounce their faith and truly offered their lives in a sacrifice of love for Christ and the Church. They were officially declared saints of purity by various Roman Catholic Popes which in time attracted a pilgrimage that has become one of the largest Christian pilgrimages in Africa.
The Bahai House of Worship
Bahai temple is located on Kikaya hill about 7-9 km drive depending on route used from Kampala city. The one of a kind temple for the Baha’i faith in Africa was constructed in such a shape as a symbol that all religions of the world come from the same source and are in essence successive chapters of one religion from God Almighty. It is a must-visit gem for a keen photographer and the gardens offer an added bonus for bird watching.
Ewaffe Cultural Village
Ewaffe cultural village in Naggalama, Mukono district is 40 km (1hour drive) by car east of Kampala city. People at Ewaffe will present authentic cultural practices and traditions of Baganda as they were through generations. A full day visit to Ewaffe allows you to take part in hands-on programs including farm tours to learn about local plant species, traditional food preparation, local brew tasting, gender based role plays like fetching water at the well, sex education, board games, traditional sauna and massage. Finally, there’s a lunch and happy hour to meet friends. Enjoy local cuisine like Luwombo and Nyama choma (roasted goat meat) and join Ewaffe community to plant your own tree before leaving.
Source of the Nile River and Jinja
Jinja city located 82 km just 1-hour drive east of Kampala city became known as the source of the Nile river after a European explorer John Hanning. Speke finally located it in 1858. The site is fascinating to look at as water flows out of Lake Victoria plunges over rocks and rapids to begin the long 6,800 km (4,200-mile) journey to the Mediterranean Sea. The boat trip to the actual spot lasts about 1 hour and comes with a chance to see a variety of bird species so come with your binoculars.
A visit to the source remains Jinja’s iconic attraction. However, there’s more to see and do. Jinja is East Africa’s adventure capital and Uganda’s heritage town. There’s a wide range of activities you can do on your day trip to Jinja. Whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, zip lining, water bicycling, water tubing, ATV quad biking, horseback safari, and mountain biking. If you aren’t a fun of adrenaline, you can explore Jinja’s historical buildings and sites. Suxh as the Jinja pier built in 1912, Madhvani Building (1919), and the Uganda railway museum. Stroll the Historic Main Street made up of “dukas” (shops) originally built by Asian community between the 1910s-1940s. Along the way meet with local artisans in central market. Check out restaurants that have hosted international artists during Nyege Nyege festival.
Jinja and the source of the Nile day trip from Kampala or Entebbe should start early in the morning. This can give you time to make stopovers on the way. For additional zip lining at Mabira central forest reserve or a cultural tour to Sezibwa falls.
Safari to Lake Mburo national park or Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Lake Mburo National Park is 234 sq.km (4-hour drive) south-west of Kampala capital city. The protected area is home to 67 mammal species including giraffes, elands, impalas, zebras, topis, and Uganda kobs. The activities you can do a walking tour, game drive, and boat trip. Night game drives offer a chance to see the leopard.
Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, the only place to see white rhinos in Uganda is 160 km north of Kampala. It will take about 2-hour drive to reach then go for rhino trekking on foot with a ranger. Uganda Wildlife Authority added giraffes and hartebeests to the sanctuary. You hope to see lots of animals.
Day trips from Entebbe town
Entebbe is the main entry point into Uganda located on the shores of lake Victoria. A good place to relax from jet lag. Book a room with a lake view or take a sunset boat cruise along the Banga beach. Available for booking through Wild Frontiers. Entebbe also offers several beaches such as Spenah beach which are perfect places to relax.
Day visit to Entebbe Zoo
One of the best sights in Entebbe is the Uganda Wildlife Education Center formerly Entebbe zoo. The role of UWEC is to rescue and rehabilitate animals, educate the public and contribute to recovery of species. Most of the wildlife species found in Uganda national parks live there in a relatively semi natural environment. Some Bengal tigers were recently introduced. You can see animals through organized programs for adults and kids have a play center. Behind the scenes activity allows you to see animals like giraffes. Meet the chimpanzees through the chimpanzee up close experience. Participate in the Keeper for a day activity if you’re passionate about caring for animals. UWEC is open from 9am-6:30pm Monday to Sunday. You must book the chimp up-close activity must a day before.
Birding at Mabamba Bay wetland
Mabamba swamp is a 40-minute drive, making it easy to reach for a day trip from Entebbe. The papyrus wetland is home to the Shoebill stork, which is the key attraction. There are also over 260 species of birds including Lake Victoria Biome endemics. For instance, the blue swallow, Pallid Harrier, Papyrus Gonolek and white winged warbler. The birding experience is carried out by rowing traditional canoes. Which doesn’t make noise or scare birds away. The shoebill tour is often seen preying on lung fish. Lung fish is a totem for the Mmamba, one of the 42 clans of Buganda.
The chimp sanctuary at Ngamba island
Ngamba island is 23 km south east of Entebbe town. It can be reachable by a 45-min speedboat ride or 90 min motorized canoe. Ensure to be there in the morning by 11 am to take part in feeding the chimps. The island covers 100 acres of tropical forest. Ngamba island was established in 1998 to take care of chimpanzees that were unable to survive in the wild. The chimps were rescued from the hands of illegal poachers across the Albertine rift valley. Now there are 52 chimpanzees, each with a story of its own. You will be able to view them from a raised platform where you slow food at them. Volunteers can to stay from 1 to 4 weeks. Ngamba offers accommodation and food for those intending to spend a night. Take nothing to the island. That’s how they handle their ecological footprint. Besides Ngamba, there’s also Bugala Island in Kalangala is one of the nice islands in Uganda.
Looking for a place to eat, check out Kampala’s best restaurants.
