Start off with Mabamba Wetland (Lake Victoria), a renowned Ramsar Site, for being home to endangered species like the Shoebill Stork and Blue Swallow, the wetland hosts over 260 bird species. Take a motorized canoe trip on Lake Victoria to reach the wetland, named by fishermen for the large lungfish, or “Mamba,” that inhabit the area — a favourite food of the shoebill! Other notable birds include Pallid Harrier, Papyrus Gonolek, Swamp Flycatcher, Pygmy Goose, Lesser Jacana, Grosbeak Weaver, Palm-nut Vulture, Papyrus Canary, Malachite and Pied Kingfisher, Gull-billed Tern, Goliath Heron, and Egrets.

From the Shoebill visit Uganda Reptile Village – Located just 3 km off the Kampala–Entebbe Road, Uganda Reptile Village immerses visitors in the fascinating world of reptiles. Founded in 2002 by Yasin Kazibwe, the park promotes reptile conservation and education. See snakes such as Black Mamba, Jameson’s Mamba, Rock Pythons, Vipers, Egyptian and Forest Cobras, and Puff Adders, along with chameleons, tortoises, crocodiles, and monitor lizards. Visitors can even handle a Rock Python or tortoise. All visits support community development initiatives, combining adventure with impact.

Continue to Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre – Established in 1952, this centre rescues and rehabilitates injured or orphaned wildlife. It is home to over 400 indigenous animals, 500 plant species, and 250+ bird species. Enjoy close encounters with chimpanzees alongside expert keepers, as well as lions, tigers, and numerous grazers including the famous elephant “Charles”. Other residents include zebras, antelopes, monkeys, giraffes, cheetahs, rhinos, warthogs, and birds such as the African fish eagle. Enhance your visit with a $70 pp optional behind-the-scenes experience, step into the role of a caretaker for the day, feeding giraffes, chimps, and other animals up close.

This is followed by a local lunch and refreshment at a restaurant.

After lunch, visit Kigungu Historical Site, where Uganda’s Catholic mission began. The first missionaries, Br. Amans, and Fr. Lourdel Maple, landed here on 17 Feb 1879. Highlights include the fishing village, Entebbe Airport runway, and lakeshore birdlife.

Conclude your day at Entebbe Botanical Gardens, Uganda’s first and oldest agricultural research site (est. 1898), spanning 40.7 hectares along 1.5 km of Lake Victoria shoreline. The gardens protect over 500 plant species, including indigenous and exotic fruits, medicinal plants, spices, ornamentals, timber, and wild crop relatives. Spot Red-tailed, Vervet, and Colobus monkeys moving freely among the trees, and support conservation efforts by adopting or planting a tree. With its serene atmosphere and the gentle breeze from Lake Victoria, the gardens provide a perfect climax to your Entebbe Eco Tour after a day of diverse explorations.

After exploring the nature-based wonders of Entebbe, continue with your transfer to Kampala City. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and unwind, enjoying the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Speke Hotel Kampala – or similar
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast

Starting with Kampala CBD, your tour extends to the suburbs.

Uptown Kampala Sights.

Explore key landmarks of Uptown Kampala, including the Independence Monument, Mutesa II Monument, World War II Monument, Parliamentary Building, Bank of Uganda (est. 1966), Uganda National Cultural Centre (est. 1959), and Kampala Capital City Authority headquarters. Visit Nakasero Market, established in 1895 and relocated to its current city centre location in 1905. Along the way, admire Hindu temples, including Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, and other culturally significant sites.

Buganda Kingdom Tour.

From Kampala’s CBD, continue to the Buganda Kingdom and visit the Kabaka’s (King’s) Palace. Explore the Idi Amin Armoury, view historical machine guns, and browse the palace pictorial while learning about Buganda’s rich history. Drive past Kabaka’s Lake and visit the Nantawetwa Monument, a site opened only when the King travels from the palace to the Buganda Parliament. Continue along the Royal Mile, sightseeing landmarks such as Bulange (Buganda Parliament), the Kabaka’s Monument, Zakaria Kisingiri House, and the Buganda Clan Symbols.

Gadhafi Mosque and City Views.

As you continue through 1980s-era Kampala, stop at the Gadhafi Mosque, a gift from the late Col. Muammar Gadhafi. Climb the minaret for a breathtaking 360-degree view of Kampala’s famous seven hills, taking in landmarks such as Fort Lugard (est. 1800 by Capt. Frederick Lugard) and Old Kampala Senior Secondary School, where Rwanda’s President Kagame once studied.

Kasubi Tombs (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Next, visit the Kasubi Tombs, a revered spiritual and cultural site for the Baganda. The tombs serve as the burial ground for the last four Kabakas (Kings) of Buganda and remain a centre for the royal family. Traditional rituals and cultural practices are still observed here, preserving Buganda’s rich heritage through generations.

Makerere University Sightseeing.

From Kasubi, drive through Makerere University, Uganda’s largest and oldest academic institution (est. 1922) and Africa’s third oldest university. Explore landmarks such as the Old University Library (est. 1949), the Main Administration Building (since 1941), and the Education Monument.

Kalerwe Market and the Baha’i Temple.

On your way to the Baha’i Temple, pass through Kalerwe Market, Kampala’s vibrant second-largest local market, perfect for snapping photos or picking up fresh fruits. Continue to Kikaya Hill to visit the Baha’i Temple, a unique spiritual landmark in Africa. Take a moment for peaceful reflection inside the temple and wander through the lush gardens, capturing memorable photos.

Note: The temple is closed on Mondays.

Uganda National Museum.

Visit the Uganda National Museum, East Africa’s first and oldest museum, established in 1908 and relocated to its current site in 1954. Explore its rich displays of Uganda’s history, culture, and heritage, a perfect highlight of your city tour. After a lunch break at a local restaurant, continue to the Martyrs’ Shrine, an important spiritual and historical site commemorating Uganda’s Christian martyrs.

Uganda Martyrs’ Shrine.

Conclude your tour with a visit to the Uganda Martyrs’ Shrine, the sacred site where Christian martyrs were persecuted between 1885 and 1887 under Kabaka Mwanga II of Buganda. This revered location is a major pilgrimage destination, drawing hundreds of thousands every 3rd June. Explore The Basilica, constructed over nine years from 1967 and consecrated on 7th February 1993 by the Pope. The shrine has also welcomed three papal visits: Pope Paul VI (1969), Pope John Paul II (1993), and Pope Francis (2015). Your visit includes the Martyrs Museum and the Holy Water Lake, offering a profound insight into Uganda’s spiritual and historical legacy.

Following an informative tour of the shrine; return to the hotel.
Note: Transfers outside Kampala require an extra cost.