Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre in Entebbe, Entebbe: Tickets, Hours and Family Guide
Animals and wildlife in Entebbe, Entebbe
Photo: Auto-generated feature card
The Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre is Uganda's primary wildlife rescue and education facility, 15 minutes from Entebbe airport. It combines forest walkways, open enclosures and a Lake Victoria shoreline path, with lions, giraffes, a resident chimpanzee community and a shoebill stork. Allow 2 to 3 hours.
What is Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre?
The Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre is Uganda's primary wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility, 15 minutes from Entebbe International Airport on the shore of Lake Victoria.
It combines forest walkways and open enclosures rather than rows of cages: lions, giraffes and elephants live in spacious paddocks, a resident chimpanzee community occupies a forested section, and the centre's shoebill stork is one of the most reliable close-range sightings in Uganda.
UWEC is Uganda's main rescue and rehabilitation facility and runs conservation education for schools across the country. It is now merged with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and works on breeding programmes for threatened species.
Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre ticket prices 2026
| Visitor type | Adult | Child (3-14) | Under 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | UGX 20,000 | UGX 10,000 | Free |
East African adults UGX 20,000 and children UGX 10,000; foreign non-resident adults USD 15 and children 3-14 USD 10; under-3s free. Behind the Scenes tour USD 30-50 per person; Chimpanzee Up Close USD 250-300 including health clearances; boat ride UGX 20,000 per person; parking UGX 2,000.
Family cost calculator
Estimate your total visit cost in seconds. Set your family size and add optional extras. The calculator uses the same rates shown above.
Calculate your visit cost
Estimates only, based on the rates above (checked 1 Oct 2026). Extras vary.
💡 Money-saving tips for families
- Book online The booking portal lists day visits and experiences with prices, so you can compare before arriving.
- Arrive early Animals are most active before the midday heat, and the park is quieter.
- Bring a carrier Forest trails are not pushchair-friendly, so a baby carrier is easier than a stroller.
Is it right for your child's age?
| Age group | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years | Good | Pushchair-friendly main paths and a short visit |
| 3-5 years | Great | Close views of giraffes, monkeys and tortoises |
| 6-9 years | Great | Reptiles, chimpanzees and the boat ride |
| 10-12 years | Great | Conservation talks and the shoebill |
| 13+ years | Great | Full tour plus behind-the-scenes options |
Perfect visit planner
How much time do you have? Pick your window and we'll show you the ideal sequence.
Choose your time window
Key details
- Address
- Plot 12, Lugard Avenue, Entebbe, on the northwestern shore of Lake Victoria, about 36 km from Kampala, Entebbe
- Opening hours
- Daily 8am to 6pm; arrive by 4pm for the best animal viewing Open now
- How long to plan
- 2 to 3 hours
- Suitable ages
- All ages
- Setting
- Indoor and outdoor
- Booking
- Walk-in or online booking
- Payment accepted
- Cash
- M-Pesa
- Card
- Phone
- +256 414 320 520
What to expect when you visit
Pay at the main gate, collect a map, then walk the loop past the carnivores, the giraffe and elephant paddocks, the chimpanzee forest and the reptile section.
The Lake Victoria shoreline path brings you close to hippos and waterbirds. Allow two to three hours for the main loop. Add the boat ride from the centre's pier for a different view of the bay, or book the Behind the Scenes tour to see the veterinary unit and feeding stations.
What if...?
The questions every parent asks before booking. Tap to expand.
How long do we need?
Two to three hours covers the main loop; add an hour for a boat ride.
Is it suitable for toddlers?
Yes, but bring a carrier for the forest trails.
Can we pay by card?
Mobile money is widely used; confirm card acceptance at the gate.
Family essentials
- Suitable age bands
- 0–2 years
- 3–5 years
- 6–9 years
- 10–12 years
- 13+ years
- Toddler suitability
- Great for toddlers
- Minimum age
- No minimum age
- Facilities
- Toilets
- Baby changing
- Drinking water
- Cafe or food on site
- Gift shop
- Picnic allowed
- Shaded seating
- First aid
- Access and parking
- Stroller friendly
- Wheelchair accessible
- Free parking
- Public transport nearby
- Safety notes
Stay behind barriers, do not feed animals, and hold children's hands on the Lake Victoria shoreline where hippos and crocodiles live.
Tickets and costs
- Parking
- UGX 2,000
- Free entry rules
- Under 3s are free
- Extra costs (activities, rentals, food)
Boat ride, Behind the Scenes tour, Chimpanzee Up Close, Keeper for a Day, animal rides, forest trails
Plan your visit
- Best time to visit
- Morning, before the midday heat
- Busiest times
- Weekends and school holidays
- How to get there
Enter through the main gate on Lugard Avenue in Entebbe. The centre is on the Lake Victoria shore, 15 minutes from Entebbe International Airport.
The entrance is well signposted from the airport road. Use the main gate; there is a separate staff entrance at the rear.
- By car
- About 36 km from Kampala, roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour via Entebbe Road
- Uber / Bolt estimate
- Ride-hailing from Kampala about UGX 60,000 to 90,000
- Public transport
Matatu or taxi from Kampala to Entebbe, then a boda boda to the gate
- Combine with
- Entebbe Botanical Gardens — picnic under the trees and watch the monkeys, 5 minutes by car
- Uganda Reptile Village — small reptile rescue centre on the Kampala highway, 2 km off the highway
- Ngamba Island — chimpanzee sanctuary reachable by boat from Entebbe
- What to bring
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Mosquito repellent
- Camera
- Closed shoes
Accessibility deep dive
Here is what to expect on the ground.
The main paths and visitor centre are wheelchair accessible; forest trails are not
Available at the visitor centre
Free parking on site, a short walk from the gate
Combine your visit
Plan the perfect day
Resident family of 4 estimate for all three stops: about UGX 100,000
What to pack
Tick off what you have. Your list saves automatically on this device.
Family day bag checklist
What visitors say
No reviews yet. Be the first to share what your visit was like.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to visit Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre?
- Adults pay UGX 20,000 and children (ages 3-14) pay UGX 10,000. Children under 3 enter free. East African adults UGX 20,000 and children UGX 10,000; foreign non-resident adults USD 15 and children 3-14 USD 10; under-3s free. Behind the Scenes tour USD 30-50 per person; Chimpanzee Up Close USD 250-300 including health clearances; boat ride UGX 20,000 per person; parking UGX 2,000. Prices checked 1 Oct 2026.
- What are the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre opening hours?
- Daily 8am to 6pm; arrive by 4pm for the best animal viewing. Busiest: Weekends and school holidays.
- Is Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre suitable for toddlers and young children?
- Yes. Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre is great for toddlers. Minimum age: No minimum age. Baby changing facilities are available. Stay behind barriers, do not feed animals, and hold children's hands on the Lake Victoria shoreline where hippos and crocodiles live.
- How long do you need at Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre?
- Plan for 2 to 3 hours.
- What payment methods does Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre accept?
- Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre accepts Cash, M-Pesa, Card.
- Is Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre accessible, and is there parking?
- Access and parking: Stroller friendly, Wheelchair accessible, Free parking, Public transport nearby.
- What is the best time to visit Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre?
- Morning, before the midday heat. It is busiest Weekends and school holidays.
- How do you get to Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre?
- About 36 km from Kampala, roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour via Entebbe Road. Ride-hailing: Ride-hailing from Kampala about UGX 60,000 to 90,000. Public transport: Matatu or taxi from Kampala to Entebbe, then a boda boda to the gate Enter through the main gate on Lugard Avenue in Entebbe. The centre is on the Lake Victoria shore, 15 minutes from Entebbe International Airport. The entrance is well signposted from the airport road. Use the main gate; there is a separate staff entrance at the rear.
Similar places
Animals and wildlife in Nairobi
Nairobi National Park
The only national park within a capital city, about 7 km from Nairobi CBD. Home to lions, rhinos, giraffes and over 400…
- All ages
- Outdoor
- Some toddler activities
Entry from KES 1,000
Animals and wildlife in Nairobi
Nairobi Snake Park
A small reptile park on Museum Hill next to the Nairobi National Museum, with snakes, crocodiles, tortoises and an aqua…
- All ages
- Outdoor
Entry from KES 350
Animals and wildlife in Nairobi
Giraffe Centre
Feed and meet endangered Rothschild's giraffes from a raised platform, then walk a 1.5 km nature trail in Lang'ata, Nai…
- Outdoor
- Great for toddlers
Entry from KES 200
Animals and wildlife in Subukia, Nakuru County
Subukia Bandas
Eco-camp with family bandas, farm animals and outdoor activities in the Subukia Valley.
- All ages; farm activities best for 3+
- Eco-camp, farm and outdoor
- Yes, cribs on request
Entry from KES 1
Also in Entebbe
Parks, beaches and nature in Entebbe
Anderita Beach Hotel
A budget beach hotel in Entebbe with family rooms and a kids-stay-free policy, close to the lake shore and the airport.
- All ages
- Outdoor
Water parks and pools in Entebbe
Lakepoint Villa
A budget-friendly family hotel in Entebbe with a children's playground, babysitting, kids' meals, board games and bike…
- All ages
- Outdoor
Entry from UGX 45
Water parks and pools in Entebbe
Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe
A four-star family hotel in Entebbe with an outdoor pool, a children's pool, a lifeguard, a playground, an arcade, baby…
- All ages
- Outdoor
Entry from UGX 162,182
Water parks and pools in Entebbe
Protea Hotel Entebbe
A four-star Marriott hotel in Entebbe with an outdoor pool, a kids' splash pool, a spa, a gym and a kids-stay-free poli…
- All ages
- Outdoor
Entry from UGX 220