Entebbe Botanical Gardens
Located in the heart of Entebbe town are the Entebbe Botanical Gardens also known as the National Botanical Gardens of Uganda. Entebbe Botanical Gardens are a must visit while exploring Entebbe as a visit takes you through the diversity rich gardens with various plants and gigantic trees. About 500 species of exotic and indigenous plants can be found at the gardens.
The gardens are usually visited while on a city tour of Entebbe as a stop but for a bird watcher, spending more time at the gardens offers you an opportunity to look out for birds. Entebbe Botanical Gardens is a rewarding birding site and is one of the best birding sites in Uganda. A birding safari in Uganda usually starts with one day birding at Entebbe Botanical Gardens for a chance to look out for water birds, forest species and migrant species during migration season.
Entebbe Botanical Gardens covers an area of 40.7 hectares made up of lush vegetation and majorly forest. The gardens are situated along the Northern shores of Lake Victoria along a 1.5km shoreline stretch.
Entebbe Botanical Gardens History
The Entebbe Botanical Gardens were opened by British colonialists with the main goal of being used for agricultural research. At the time the British colonialists found Uganda to be a favorable country for agriculture as it had fertile soils and good weather, however research on plants and seeds needed to be carried out first hence the formation of the botanical gardens. The British government sent agriculturalist Alexander Whyte to study Uganda’s soil type and the type of crops that could be grown in Uganda.
Entebbe Botanical Gardens were officially opened in October 1898 along the shores of Lake Victoria. Over the years the gardens have been a center for research, the gardens have also welcomed tourists, tree lovers, students and nature lovers who visit the gardens every year. The gardens are a key site in Uganda and have existed for over 120 years.
Wild life at Entebbe Botanical Gardens
The gardens are known for plants and trees, however they are also home to wildlife. On a lucky day, you might come across some wildlife while visiting the Entebbe Botanical Gardens. The trees, especially the fruit trees provide food for monkeys and also are a habitat for other wildlife species. Wildlife to look out for while visiting the Entebbe Botanical Gardens include Black-and-white colobus monkeys, Vervet monkeys and squirrels.
Black-and-white colobus monkey
Entebbe Botanical Gardens is also home to bird life as about 115 species of birds have been recorded at the gardens. Birding here also offers an opportunity to look out for water birds along the Lake Victoria shore line.
Things to do at Entebbe Botanical Gardens
Bird watching at Entebbe Botanical Gardens
Entebbe Botanical Gardens is one of the best birding sites in Uganda and a great stop for birders. A birding safari usually starts with a one day birding excursion at Entebbe Botanical Gardens mainly because birding here is always rewarding and a great way to start birding Uganda. The botanical gardens have great habitats for birds that include forest, trees and the Lake Victoria shore line. The gardens are best explored with an experienced bird guide for a rewarding experience.
A Great Blue Turaco
Birds to look out for while at Entebbe Botanical Gardens include Black-headed Herons, Woodland Kingfisher, Great Blue Turaco, Western Cattle-Egret, African Fish-Eagle, Pied Kingfishers, African Thrush, Red-eyed Dove, Giant Kingfisher, Reed Cormorants, Orange Weavers, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Palm-nut Vulture, Eastern Plantain-eaters, Pink-backed Pelican, Crowned Hornbill, Little Greenbul, African Gray Woodpecker, Pygmy Kingfisher, Gray Parrot, Swamp Flycatcher, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Western Yellow Wagtail, Hamerkop, Bat Hawk, Hadada Ibis, Ross’s Turaco, Marabou Stork, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, Hooded Vulture, Green Crombeck, Green-backed Camaroptera, Bronze Mannikin, Squaco Herons, Olive-bellied Sun birds, Black-headed Gonolek, Purple-banded Sunbird and Yellow-billed Duck among others.
The shores of Lake Victoria where you can stop by for birding
Nature walks
For the nature lover, Entebbe Botanical Gardens are a must visit.You get to spend time out in nature enjoying its beauty. Tree lovers, butterfly enthusiasts and plant lovers, the botanical gardens have it all. Nature also goes down to streams of water flowing through the gardens and invertebrates that are part of the Eco system. The gardens are also great because you start at the main gate, walk through the forested area, the gigantic trees and also walk to the shore line where you get a stunning view of Lake Victoria surrounded by lush vegetation. For nature walks, you can visit alone or get a site guide to take you through the gardens.
A nature trail at Entebbe Botanical Gardens
Picnics
Picnics are allowed at the gardens and you can visit on weekdays and weekends. A picnic can be a great way to spend time in nature with friends or family. The gardens are large enough so you can set up by the water or in the gardens under a tree. Please ensure not to litter when you visit the gardens, keep the environment clean.
Entebbe Botanical Gardens Location
Entebbe Botanical Gardens are located in Entebbe, one of Uganda’s major towns and the first place you will encounter on arrival to Uganda if you traveled by air. The gardens are a 15 minute drive away from Entebbe International Airport and a 40 minute – 1 hour drive away from Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. The gardens are situated behind Victoria mall, one of Entebbe’s largest malls and near Precious Guest House Entebbe.
Best time to visit Entebbe Botanical Gardens
The gardens are open all year round and are best visited all year round for nature lovers. For birders, the best time to visit is during the migration season (September to May) for chances of looking out for intra-African migrants and palearctic migrants.
Entebbe Botanical Gardens entrance fee
The entrance fees to the botanical gardens have different categories, Below are the entrance fees for Entebbe Botanical Gardens;
