Uganda Reptile Village
Uganda Reptile Village
4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Uganda Reptile Village and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
35 within 3 miles
Attractions
20 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
124 reviews
Excellent
51
Very good
49
Average
20
Poor
1
Terrible
3
Possum_Traveller
Melbourne, Australia137 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
I visited on the basis of the previous review. What a waste of time and effort to get there. It apparently once had a swamp area to explore but no more. 10 - 15 minutes is all you will need.
There are several snakes, 2 crocodiles and several finger sized chameleons, 1 terrapin and 1 tortoise. That's it.
It's a shame as this is a community project, but the place is pretty run-down and disappointing
There are several snakes, 2 crocodiles and several finger sized chameleons, 1 terrapin and 1 tortoise. That's it.
It's a shame as this is a community project, but the place is pretty run-down and disappointing
Written August 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Saimanjai
Cambridge, UK188 contributions
Aug 2024 • Solo
This was a fascinating experience with a very helpful guide who works there. His English was excellent as was his knowledge about all types of reptiles. It is a very basic sanctuary with various snakes, crocodiles, tortoises and chameleon where you can get up close but be protected by the glass.
I even enjoyed the journey there through the ‘suburbs’ of Entebbe on bumpy mud roads
I even enjoyed the journey there through the ‘suburbs’ of Entebbe on bumpy mud roads
Written August 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon K
Kampala43 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
The trip to the Uganda Reptile Village in Entebbe is essential for anyone who wants to learn about reptiles and support a from-the-heart personal initiative that is admirably doing a lot more than many official efforts are.
The young fellow behind the initiative, Yasin Kazibwe, is surprisingly unassuming, and it's only after you've thoroughly inspected the place that you get convinced that it is all his work - because of how simply it is put together.
It's a short drive from the main road, turning left after Katabi, at the start of the Kitubulu Forest when you're just leaving Entebbe town. The road is as bumpy as one would expects, and snakes quite a bit to build your anticipation as you get there.
At the Reptile Village you will be pleasantly received by young and enthusiastic staff whose knowledge of so many details about reptiles keeps you wondering about their training. Some, it turns out, are even university students attending their training here!
The varieties of snakes that the Village presents is sufficient to make the trip far more valuable than the entrance fee!
On my most recent visit I even found a new species created right there on the farm by cross-breeding a viper with an adder, and as a special bonus I captured amateur footage of a snake fight (you’ve got to go to YouTube to find that!).
The village also offers up a few crocodiles, monitor lizards, hundred-year-old tortoises and chameleons (which my children surprised me by frolicking with - another bonus since they wouldn’t touch a grasshopper before this visit!)
To think that Kazibwe set the place up as a young man in order to educate fellow Ugandans about reptiles, as well as to save them from extinction (out of killing and exports) is just amazing.
We’re going to visit the village as often as possible in order to support its development, and so should you. Besides breeding snakes in captivity, Kazibwe’s team of snake experts is on standby to do snake recoveries, so people in tropical Uganda who spot snakes anywhere can call them up to take the slithery things away rather than just kill them.
A surprisingly large number of snakes are actually harmless, one learns on visiting the Uganda Reptile Village. Another lesson I picked up is that one of the biggest threats to Uganda’s snake population is a traditional drum that is favoured by primary schools. This particular drumskin is made out of snakeskin…and if there are 100,000 primary schools in the country you can see how much trouble the snake community faces!
As I said, a visit to the place is well worth more than the money one spends at the gate - plus, they’ve got a small park area, fishing activities, a little rivulet you can go boating on...
Well worth more than the money one spends!
The young fellow behind the initiative, Yasin Kazibwe, is surprisingly unassuming, and it's only after you've thoroughly inspected the place that you get convinced that it is all his work - because of how simply it is put together.
It's a short drive from the main road, turning left after Katabi, at the start of the Kitubulu Forest when you're just leaving Entebbe town. The road is as bumpy as one would expects, and snakes quite a bit to build your anticipation as you get there.
At the Reptile Village you will be pleasantly received by young and enthusiastic staff whose knowledge of so many details about reptiles keeps you wondering about their training. Some, it turns out, are even university students attending their training here!
The varieties of snakes that the Village presents is sufficient to make the trip far more valuable than the entrance fee!
On my most recent visit I even found a new species created right there on the farm by cross-breeding a viper with an adder, and as a special bonus I captured amateur footage of a snake fight (you’ve got to go to YouTube to find that!).
The village also offers up a few crocodiles, monitor lizards, hundred-year-old tortoises and chameleons (which my children surprised me by frolicking with - another bonus since they wouldn’t touch a grasshopper before this visit!)
To think that Kazibwe set the place up as a young man in order to educate fellow Ugandans about reptiles, as well as to save them from extinction (out of killing and exports) is just amazing.
We’re going to visit the village as often as possible in order to support its development, and so should you. Besides breeding snakes in captivity, Kazibwe’s team of snake experts is on standby to do snake recoveries, so people in tropical Uganda who spot snakes anywhere can call them up to take the slithery things away rather than just kill them.
A surprisingly large number of snakes are actually harmless, one learns on visiting the Uganda Reptile Village. Another lesson I picked up is that one of the biggest threats to Uganda’s snake population is a traditional drum that is favoured by primary schools. This particular drumskin is made out of snakeskin…and if there are 100,000 primary schools in the country you can see how much trouble the snake community faces!
As I said, a visit to the place is well worth more than the money one spends at the gate - plus, they’ve got a small park area, fishing activities, a little rivulet you can go boating on...
Well worth more than the money one spends!
Written February 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maddiesdaughter
Hillsborough, NC16 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
We had a day of rest after our 2-week birding/gorilla trekking/chimp trekking trip and took some time here. As others have mentioned the road is bumpy, had a lot of turn-offs, and signs not clear, so definitely take a cab, not very expensive. Our guide Simon knew all the resident snakes, turtles/tortoises, and chameleons well. All the residents here have been attacked and injured by local people or have been removed from communities where they pose a threat, to be relocated elsewhere. It’s not well-funded but the staff are friendly and obviously dedicated to their work. Lots of opportunity to interact with non-snake/crocodile species. Entry fee entirely reasonable. Be sure to tip your guide!
Written August 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas D
43 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
I wish the Village would explain more on the rescue/rehabilitation of reptiles. However, the visit is already very interesting. You get to see many species of venomous snakes which are seldom seen in the wild. Explanations by the guides make you learn a lot about them.
Written August 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
christina M
Vancouver, Canada34 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
Educational, interesting and fun. We got to touch a snake, hold turtles and find chameleons among the shrubs. Highly recommend a visit.
Written August 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jarosław B
Warsaw, Poland25 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
It was good expirence for the beginning of a visit to Uganda. Good price and very nice guide. They support injuries wild animal.
Written February 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
UkkoL
Helsinki, Finland126 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
This is small reptile village bit far from mainroad. I would recommend to get there by boda, as bad road feels less bad on motorbike. Staff here is very dedicated to their job, and it is always refreshing to see that snakes and other reptiles really change from time to time. They catch reptiles from places where they would have no future, but they also release them to right places when they have a chance to do that.
If you're not afraid of the fact that reptiles are mainly predators, go there on mondays that is the main feeding day. If you don't feel like feeding live chicks to monitor lizards, then maybe some other day is better for you. The small entrance fee is really helping to take care of the reptiles, so please go to this place if you have a chance.
If you're not afraid of the fact that reptiles are mainly predators, go there on mondays that is the main feeding day. If you don't feel like feeding live chicks to monitor lizards, then maybe some other day is better for you. The small entrance fee is really helping to take care of the reptiles, so please go to this place if you have a chance.
Written November 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlotte Beauvoisin Diary of a Muzungu
Kampala, Uganda511 contributions
Mar 2013 • Friends
Understated set-up, run by very knowledgeable staff who really care about the reptiles. A cheap day out (but feel free to donate more to this worthy cause) - the kids will love it, especially handling the snakes and chameleons (not compulsory however!) Don't be scared, it's a real eye-opener! The team also operate a community function: rescuing snakes from compounds where the snakes would surely be exterminated, regardless of whether they pose a risk to humans or not. (Very few snakes do). Sensitisation is a key part of the project. Not sure if a guide is always there so ring in advance. The owner is a mine of information and has plans to develop the centre.
Written September 10, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OneStepCloser
Tyre, Lebanon61 contributions
May 2012 • Couples
Our trip to Uganda came up on very short notice that allowed for very little planning. Once in Entebbe, I learned that I would have a much better time if I relaxed and resisted my Western preconceptions regarding the size and quality of attractions and facilities. I don't actually recall what we paid to get in, but the drive along the bumpy, rutted road through the Ugandan countryside was worth the price of admission. Don't arrive, expecting a slick first class zoological experience, you may miss the charm of the place. The enclosures are basic and a bit shabby, the place is small, but our guide was enthusiastic and knowledgeable with an obvious love and respect for the critters. Since we unfortunately didn't have time for a real jungle safari, this was an enjoyable little Ugandan adventure.
Written June 3, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the fees details... I am planning on 31.12.2016 or new year 1st Day
Written December 26, 2016
Hi, i would like to know how to get there. and what it would cost me to get there from Kampala the capital.
Was there any kind of protection? where the snakes caged?
I want to visit with a friend of mine who is not afraid of snakes but i am. so i need re assurance on protection.
Written July 14, 2015
Hi. From Kampala by public taxi (matatu) would cost Ushs5,000 (check the rate online) and by Hired Cab it would cost about Ushs80,000 (give or take 20,000).
It's better, for a trip of this nature, to hire a car for the day at between Ushs100,000-150,000 and then throw in about Ushs50,000 for fuel and a driver - which would allow you to see a lot more of Entebbe and visit other locations there.
From Kampala, the Reptile Village is just after the Kitubulu Forest, on your right hand side. The Kitubulu Forest is a small clump of trees just after the first sighting of Lake Victoria after a town called Abaita Babiri.
The snakes are behind glass cages so you will be safe, and the attendants are quite professional.
I will soon (in about four weeks) be setting up a service to help out with such trips, so feel free to get in touch should you need help.
Enjoy!
Written July 14, 2015
Showing results 1-3 of 3
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing