Entebbe Botanical Gardens

The Entebbe Botanical Gardens were laid out in 1898 on the shore of Lake Victoria and cover around forty hectares, arranged by climatic zone with a strip of natural rainforest running down to the water. They are a serious birding site, with well over a hundred species recorded including the great blue turaco, and black and white colobus and vervet monkeys live in the trees. Old Tarzan films are locally said to have been shot in the forest strip.

What you actually see

• The rainforest strip - natural forest running down to the lake shore.
• The birdlife - well over a hundred species including turacos and kingfishers.
• The monkeys - black and white colobus and vervets in the canopy.
• The 1898 layout - the original planting arranged by climatic zone.

When to go

Year round; early morning is much the best for birds and monkeys. It is a short walk from Entebbe airport, which suits a layover. Rain is possible in any month.

Honest expectations

Maintenance is uneven and labelling of the collection is patchy. Guides at the gate expect payment and their bird knowledge varies. Swimming in the lake here is not advisable.

Nearby

Entebbe town is beside it, and Ngamba Island is offshore.