How many Zoos are in Uganda?

How many Zoos are in Uganda?

How many Zoos are in Uganda? Uganda happens to have only one zoo, also known as the Uganda Wildlife Education Center, commonly known as the Entebbe Zoo. At first, this place was not a zoo because its main cause for put up until 1952 was to act as a reception center for injured, orphaned, and rescued animals from illegal trade from different tourist destinations around the country. This reception center for wild animals was established by the colonial government of that time, and later on was transformed into a more traditional zoo in the 1960s, and started attracting a lot of people who came to see indigenous and non-indigenous animals. Later on in the year 1994, it was transformed into the Uganda Wildlife Education Center under the Ministry of Tourism with the aim of conservation and education about wildlife animals.

Where is the zoo in Uganda located?

The Uganda Wildlife Education Center, or zoo, is located in Entebbe, in Wakiso district, along the shores of Lake Victoria on plot 56/57 Lugard Avenue. The Entebbe Zoo is approximately 15 15-minute drive from the Entebbe International Airport and about 36 kilometers from Kampala, the capital city of Uganda.

What animals can I see at Entebbe Zoo?

Entebbe Zoo is a very interesting place to visit for those who love nature and animals, and would be very pleased to see most of these animals in one spot. At Entebbe Zoo, there are both indigenous and non-indigenous animals. Some of the indigenous animals found in Entebbe Zoo include lions, zebras, chimpanzees, giraffes, leopards, reptiles, and birds, to mention but a few. The non-indigenous animals found in Entebbe Zoo include tigers and tigers. For the case of tigers, being found in Entebbe Zoo makes Uganda the only country in East Africa where tigers are found.

When is the Entebbe Zoo open for visitors?

The Entebbe Zoo is always open for visitors at 8:30 am and closed at 6:30 pm every day of the week from Monday – Sunday.

What is the best time to visit Entebbe Zoo?

Since Entebbe Zoo is always open at the estimated time of the day, and you are not dealing with nature, where some animals are visible or can only be seen at a particular time of the day. You can visit Entebbe Zoo at any time of the day since all the available animals are kept in well-secured places with nowhere else to go, so you can be sure that at any time of the day, you can see a particular animal of your choice.

How much is the entrance fee to Entebbe Zoo?

East African adults are meant to pay about 20,000 UGX, East African children are to pay about 10,000 UGX, and children (between 3 years- 14 years) are to pay about 5,000 UGX – 10,000 UGX. Adult non-residents are to pay approximately 15 USD, and non-resident children pay about 10 USD. For adult foreign residents, it costs about 10 USD, and foreign resident children pay 5 USD for entrance at Entebbe Zoo.

Is there an age limit for visitors at Entebbe Zoo?

No! There is no age limit for visitors or tourists who want to visit Entebbe Zoo because all the wild animals are always in very secure cages, and visitors are always told to keep a safe distance while watching or studying a bout particular animal in the zoo.

Can I touch and take photos of animals in the Entebbe Zoo?

Yes! You can take as many photos of wild animals at Entebbe Zoo, and close interactions or touching of some wild animals are also allowed and can be done at Entebbe Zoo. Apart from taking photos and touching some of these wild animals, you can also feed some animals during your visit.

What are the rules and regulations during a visit to Entebbe Zoo?

Just like any other tourist destination in Uganda, Entebbe Zoo also has rules and regulations that visitors or tourists are expected to follow whenever they visit. Some of the rules and regulations you are required to follow during your visit to Entebbe Zoo are,

• Arrive early at the zoo if you want to avoid crowds because it is always open from Monday to Sunday, and a lot of people tend to visit.
• Food and drinks are not allowed in the Zoo, especially in areas where there are monkeys
• Respect animals and tour guides
• Before doing anything, you should first seek permission from your tour guide
• No plastic water bottle is allowed into the zoo, to mention a few.

Can I have a personal tour without a guide at Entebbe Zoo?

Yes! Visitors or tourists are allowed to have personal tours where they get to tour around watching different animals without the help of a guide, but this can only be done after paying the entrance fee.

Are vehicles allowed in the Entebbe Zoo?

No! Tourists’ or visitors’ vehicles are not allowed in the Entebbe Zoo, but they are allowed to stay or be parked outside the zoo in an organized parking area. For tourists or visitors who are not willing or not able to walk (disabled), worry not because the Entebbe Zoo provides vehicles within the zoo, with professional drivers and guides, which you can use to tour around the zoo. The Entebbe Zoo vehicles can be hired at a fee of approximately 50,000 Uganda shillings and can only carry a group of not more than five people per tour.

Other interesting activities that can be done at Entebbe Zoo

Apart from touring around and studying attractions in the Entebbe Zoo, other interesting activities can be done when you visit the Entebbe Zoo. Some of these activities include: Behind-the-scenes experience where you get to interact with some animals by feeding them, touching them, etc. Keeper for a Day, where you get to prepare food, take care of the animals together with the caretakers of these animals. A chimpanzee up-close experience where you get to take care of the baby chimpanzees, carry them, and feed them with the help of the caretakers. Quad riding, chilling at the beach, donkey riding, camel riding, to mention but a few.