Entebbe Botanic Gardens
Entebbe Botanic Gardens
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- Graham W9 contributionsA walk in the parkEntebbe Botanical gardens is between the town and Lake Victoria, it cost 10000 Ugandan shillings to visit and I would recommend a guide for another 10000, because without the guide you stroll around would be frustrating as most things aren’t described as the guide would. The guide pointed out all / most of the different trees, coco, rubber, canon ball tree, sandpaper tree etc. Worth it to hear about them. The gardens themselves are not really gardens, but an area with trees. As I was there on Easter Monday, the lake was being used for baptism’s and people were having fun. The were two type of monkeys in the garden and various birds, spotted like the Hornbill, which was nice to see. But like I said you need the guide, or you will miss most things.Visited April 2021Traveled on businessWritten April 5, 2021
- Wilma Du PlooyHartbeespoort, South Africa44 contributionsNext to Lake Victoria!Not your usual Botanical Gardens. More a huge Garden which anyone is using. You can drive trough it with your car or motorbike. We have used the restaurant/ drinking place straight down on the Lake when you enter at the gate which was great. At the time a band played in the open and some people were doing photoshoots. We had to ask for a receipt at the gate. It was not issued, although we have paid 20000 UGX which I could not calculate from the tariffs on the board. But views on the Lake...beautiful!!!Visited January 2020Traveled as a coupleWritten January 11, 2020
- kushty500Crewkerne, United Kingdom63 contributionsRelaxing placeOne of many different venues bordering Lake Victoria in Entebbe, this one has the edge on most because the huge expanse of the botanical gardens. It is a very pleasant walk from the gate through to the beach and any amount of diversions or alternative routes through the gardens. The trees and plants are beautiful and the birds interesting. Monkeys are there of course as in most areas of Entebbe. Its a lovely way to spend a late afternoon/early evening before the mosquitoes come out. The gardens extend right down to the edge of the lake and the small sandy beach. There is a reasonably priced cafe/bar there and of course the ubiquitous music synonymous with beaches in Entebbe which we love. Hard to say how it could be better at what it does hence the five stars as there is nothing better than a chilled out experience near water. It could have lost half a star for the tendency for people to leave their rubbish behind but we cleared up everything we could see in a a few secondsVisited January 2020Written February 10, 2020
- Christoph P5 contributionsOverrated. No need to return to this placeI wonder what prompts people to give this place great reviews. We had a terrible time here and felt cheated despite the affordable entry. It starts at the entrance. Tourists are charged 10k UGX (about 2,5 EUR), local residents 3k UGX. We paid 3k each and 2k for the car. However, we noticed that payment only seems to be mandatory for Muzungus (white people) as other locals were simply waived through before and after us. One can tell that that the parc has once been designed nicely. The overall architecture and the placement of the tall trees is thought through. But there is little to no maintenance. Gardening work is mostly left to nature. Signs on trees are very scarce (probably due to the fact that it's mostly laminated paper pinned to the tree). The alleged highlight is the café right at the shore of the lake. This spot has great potential as it would be a great place to have a coffee, beer or cold drink, small meal etc. with a nice view. However, on the day we went (a Sunday), there was unbelievably loud music blasting onto the people that were present. Not only was the music a very bass based one, but it was also two different sources from two different directions. Total nonsense. We did not last more than 5 minutes before fleeing the spot. The music did not seem to bother some of the people there, but also, noone was actually enjoying it or even dancing to it. With all this nuisance, obviously bird or animal watching was not an option. The rest of the parc is a mix of dust clouds (as many people drive on the dirt paths rather fast, despite the indication to parc right after the entrance) and more unwanted music since the parked cars play their own music for everyone to "enjoy". It is only about 1-2 km walking to go the large round in this parc. No idea why people come here to drive even the very last meters. Then people picnic a lot and leave a huge mess. Perhaps come in the morning when not so many packaging and food waste has been thrown onto the grass. If you want a quite hang out spot on your way to the Airport, avoid this parc anf go to nearby ViaVia instead. Air is cleaner than in Kampala, they have drinks and food and you do not get blasted by loud music.Visited March 2022Written March 22, 2022
- racemilynKampala, Uganda2 contributionsCouples get awayIt is large enough for a number of events to take place at the same time. It has a cool and fresh green ambience. But some work needs to be done on the places of convenience. They need to be upgraded. The shelters too need to be upgraded for comfort and use like during sunny and rainy seasonsVisited December 2020Traveled as a coupleWritten June 13, 2021
- Sally4 contributionsSuch variety!The steps from the original Tarzan movie are here! It is worth it to pay for a guide who can describe the many different trees & plants. I believe it was started by European colonists who wanted to find out what trees would grow in Uganda. A few include rubber trees & cocoa trees. Giant philodendron vines! Things we grow as houseplants are there, but enormous! It borders on Lake Victoria.Visited March 2019Written February 27, 2020
- michaelseymour2014Darwin, Australia72 contributionsTranquil and beautifulVisited Entebbe Botanic Gardens yesterday. It is a lovely and tranquil place to wander through and enjoy the tropical environment. As Entebbe is very quiet presently due to Covid 19 restrictions we had the place pretty much to ourselves except for a very friendly dog (I think he belonged to the gatekeeper) who followed us around. We highly recommend anyone visiting Entebbe to spend some time in these gardens.Visited August 2020Traveled as a coupleWritten August 22, 2020
- Life travellerNorth East England, United Kingdom3,804 contributionsVery pleasant nd interesting walk by Lake Victoria, with guided tour.Beautiful walk around such a varied botanical garden by Lake Victoria, and a great introduction to colonial Uganda! Why the British transported trees from India, Texas, Europe and other far off places to this large and sprawling spot in th late 19 century I've no idea, but it has made for a beautiful spot to spend a couple of hours or so. I would definitely recommend to hire a local guide (for 20,000 schillings, plus 10,000 schilling tip, available by the entrance) who can tell you what you are looking at and some of the history associated with it - Forest area where the original Tarzan film was shot, anyone! So many plant and tree species (from White Mahogony to Crocodile tree), lots of birds, some black-faced monkeys and great views of Lake Victoria. There are local restaurants inside the gardens, by the lake, and also some by the entrance, where my guide took me to sample goat stew for the first time. If you have a day free in Entebbe, this would a great place to spend it.Visited January 2023Written February 16, 2023
- _Mags_NLLuanda, Angola292 contributionsBeautiful treesThe botanical gardens are beautiful. There are some amazing trees an a lot of birds to observe. Most trees have an identification sign on them. This is really a great place for a walk. You are also allowed to bring in your car and have a picnic and even build a fire to cook on. Unfortunately there are very few benches. I also didn’t see any bins so there is quite a bit of litter on the ground. Entrance to the gardens is 10,000 Shilling per person (non Ugandans).Visited January 2020Traveled as a coupleWritten January 1, 2020
- Cheryl M12 contributionsGarden and CultureThis is a very large botanical garden with several little niches that I am sure we would not have found without a guide. Guides are available for hire for a reasonable fee at the gate. Subsequent visits can be enjoyed alone. It is a joy to see such diversity and old growth vegetation, but also interesting to notice the Ugandans having picnics, walks, and beach time. The reason I did not give it 5 stars is because you have to watch your footing with some road and trail erosion.Visited November 2019Traveled as a coupleWritten January 9, 2020
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
637 reviews
Excellent
213
Very good
269
Average
118
Poor
26
Terrible
11
Desi P
Brooklyn, NY3 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
This is a small, but sweet botanic garden and a lovely respite for a calming walk among 200 year old trees along the lakeside. There's plenty of bird and vervet monkey watching. Definitely get a guide - it's worth it!
Written July 25, 2023
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.
Jiska
13 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
A beautiful garden!! It's so stress relieving. The beauty of the trees, grass and water are breathtaking and it sets you still for a moment. At the waterside are a few tables where you can order a drink. It's awesome for a morning of peace and quiet, and great for pictures!
Written July 1, 2023
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.
Judith Bridget
1 contribution
Jun 2023 • Friends
The beautiful garden with green trees, grass, water springs and the cool breeze that brings life and take away the stress
Written June 16, 2023
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.
Suzette Weideman
8 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
The self-taught guide Rafiki made our trip fabulous! His knowledge of plants and birds and sharp eyes and ears enlivened these gardens for us. Even the rolex at the beach front was well worth the trip.
Tips: Get the guide, don't have set expectations, eat the rolex!
Tips: Get the guide, don't have set expectations, eat the rolex!
Written May 28, 2023
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.
Kathleen98422
Tacoma, WA11 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
The Entebbe Botanical Garden is just around the corner from the Best Western Hotel. We went to visit and enjoy the afternoon after the rain stopped. It is basically a city park by the lake. But to get in you pay UGX 20,000 each. This would have been fine had it been the only 'charge'. No sooner had we gone a few hundred yards than we were asked to donate to a wildlife education fund. Our 'guide' lead us right to this location. Our 'guide' which we did not request also asked us for money. No one said anything about a fee for the 'guide'. It really ruined the whole experience, along with all the trash, and the loud music at the lake shore. Skip it!
Written April 22, 2023
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.
NovaTravels-net
England153 contributions
Feb 2023
Very interesting gardens with lots of interesting trees and Vervet monkeys. Beware of the Guides. We paid an entrance fee and the guide started taking us around. He told us about the trees but at the end he insisted on payment of US$10. We didn't have $ or local currency so he walked us back to Precious Guesthouse and waited until he got paid. He should have said upfront that there was a cost instead of trying to deceive us.
Written March 13, 2023
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.
lukas d
Lithuania17 contributions
Jan 2023
very beautiful garden with many trees.the botanic garden is definitely worth a visit.i recommend to get a guide
Written March 3, 2023
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.
Ben S
4 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
A nice park in Entebbe, nothing exciting but a good place to walk around for a hour or two. Has lots of trees some monkeys and a beach
Written February 24, 2023
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.
Life traveller
North East England, UK3,804 contributions
Jan 2023
Beautiful walk around such a varied botanical garden by Lake Victoria, and a great introduction to colonial Uganda! Why the British transported trees from India, Texas, Europe and other far off places to this large and sprawling spot in th late 19 century I've no idea, but it has made for a beautiful spot to spend a couple of hours or so. I would definitely recommend to hire a local guide (for 20,000 schillings, plus 10,000 schilling tip, available by the entrance) who can tell you what you are looking at and some of the history associated with it - Forest area where the original Tarzan film was shot, anyone!
So many plant and tree species (from White Mahogony to Crocodile tree), lots of birds, some black-faced monkeys and great views of Lake Victoria. There are local restaurants inside the gardens, by the lake, and also some by the entrance, where my guide took me to sample goat stew for the first time. If you have a day free in Entebbe, this would a great place to spend it.
So many plant and tree species (from White Mahogony to Crocodile tree), lots of birds, some black-faced monkeys and great views of Lake Victoria. There are local restaurants inside the gardens, by the lake, and also some by the entrance, where my guide took me to sample goat stew for the first time. If you have a day free in Entebbe, this would a great place to spend it.
Written February 16, 2023
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.
Tabbie Kat
Inverness, UK329 contributions
Jan 2023
We had a great couple of hours guided in here. So many different trees. We saw our first Grey Crowned Crane here as well as Hornbills and Colobus Monkeys. Well worth a couple of hours out of your day.
Written February 7, 2023
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 entrance fee and do u work during week days
Hampm57
Norrkoping, Sweden449 contributions
Don’t remember the exact cost, but it’s low.
Do get a guide!
Eunice Khainza
Kampala, Uganda
Are we allowed to carry our own food or there are eat outs? Also, is having a picnic possible?
Bobby159
New York City, NY186 contributions
Yes, you can bring your own food. There are quite a few places nearby or on the beach to eat as well.
I think they can also arrange food to be ready when you return.
Ann469
Boulder, CO6 contributions
I would like more info on visiting the Entebbe Botanic Gardens, specifically about hiring a guide. Once you arrive, are there always guides available or do you have to arrange for that in advance? Can you pay the entrance fee and the side fee in US dollars or do you need to pay in local currency? Finally, how much do you tip the guide? Many thanks for your help with these questions.
mikesabirder
Austin, TX204 contributions
PS almost everywhere would take US dollars, but your change, if needed, will always be in Ugandan currency. Suggest you go to bank ATM.
Who's the best local guide you can recommend to me when I do visit the gardens.???
Tina M
Oakland, CA80 contributions
Kim and Fred Nathan at Bike Entebbe provided a bike tour and a tour of the Botanical Gardens that was excellent.
Smooth V
Salem, VA1 contribution
Can you camp here?
Christopher W
Newark-on-Trent, UK41 contributions
The locals know where all the holes in the fence are so as much as camping is discouraged here the Gardens are " open " 24/7.
There is plenty of perfectly safe camping in Uganda, as we discovered. Not too far away from Entebbe is Orchids Campsite, on the shores of a crater lake, Lake Nabugabo. We had the camping area to ourselves – calm, peaceful, empty, dine al fresco, sleep.
Bruce I
Marlborough, MA297 contributions
Can we rent bikes at Entebbe Botanical Garden? Thanks!
Andrew Oire
Entebbe, Uganda10 contributions
Hello, this comes in a bit late but yes, you can rent bikes (bikeX Uganda) and use them while at the Botanical Gardens.
Anna J
Isla Mujeres, Mexico2 contributions
How much is the entrance fee?
Mazen Gatati
Tripoli, Libya214 contributions
It’s 3,000 ugx for the residents
2,000 Ugx for the car
528mehd
Gothenburg, Sweden3 contributions
Hi,I am just wondering if it will be possible to take photographs of the wild birds in the Botanical gardens especially the African Grey parrots. It has been a dream for me to see wild ones.
Best regards,
Mehd
HenkKoppelaar
Utrecht, The Netherlands112 contributions
Yeah sure you can. Mind you however that it is an open garden, so the birds are not kept in a cage. It is just in the wild, meaning you must be lucky to find the African Grey parrot, but if they are there, you easily can make as much pictures as you want. The guide will be very much willing to help you to spot them and they will know if they are present at that time. Good luck
Fiona W
Berlin, Germany3 contributions
Was ist der Eintrittspreis für den Botanischen Garten in Entebbe und wieviel Zeit sollte man ungefähr einplanen, um ihn zu besichtigen?
Über eine Antwort freue ich mich.
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Claim your listingEntebbe Botanic Gardens - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Entebbe Botanic Gardens
- We recommend booking Entebbe Botanic Gardens tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 29 Entebbe Botanic Gardens tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Entebbe Botanic Gardens:
- Entebbe Walking Tour (3 Hours) with Zoo and Botanical Gardens Options (From $25.00)
- Multi day tour Safari Experience in Uganda (From $4,138.47)
- 7-Day Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Tree Climbing Lions Tour in Uganda (From $2,400.00)
- Entebbe Eco Tour - Full Day (From $190.00)
- 8 Days Exclusive Uganda Primates and Wildlife Tour (From $2,900.00)
- Hotels near Entebbe Botanic Gardens:
- (0.00 mi) Egg Botanical View
- (0.00 mi) Kimbla-Mantana Tented Camp
- (0.08 mi) K Hotels
- (0.06 mi) Precious Guesthouse
- (0.17 mi) Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe
- Restaurants near Entebbe Botanic Gardens:
- (0.00 mi) Victoria Burger and Pizza
- (0.00 mi) Precious Restaurant
- (0.12 mi) Gorilla Conservation Café
- (0.21 mi) Cafe Javas
- (0.24 mi) The Rolex Guy Entebbe
Entebbe Botanic Gardens Information
| Excellent Reviews | 213 |
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| Very Good Reviews | 269 |
| Entebbe Botanic Gardens Photos | 433 |























































































